Since the Revolutionary War, more than 2 million American women have served their country with honor. Yet far too many female veterans find themselves homeless and lacking supportive services when they return home.
In honor of International Women's Day 2018, Women Attorneys at Venable (WAVe) hosted a discussion with Major Jas Boothe, a disabled army veteran, cancer survivor, and founder of Final Salute Inc., the only nonprofit in the DC metro area that helps female veterans find safe and suitable housing.
During the interactive discussion, part of WAVe's ongoing programming to highlight issues of importance to women, Jas spoke about the events that led her to found Final Salute. Having had her own life torn apart by Hurricane Katrina, homelessness, and cancer, she realized the need for an organization that was designed to meet and understand the unique needs of homeless women veterans and their children.
There are currently 55,000 homeless female veterans nationwide. Because of Jas's efforts and tireless advocacy, Final Salute has raised over $3 million, supported over 3,800 women veterans and children, and provided over 12,600 days of housing since 2011.
For more information about WAVe programming and events, please visit our resource page here.