Life and Happiness with Jas Boothe

By: Jacqueline Zappey

The moment I met Jas Boothe at the Ms. Veteran America Competition I knew I had a lot to learn from her. Jas has won many awards for her philanthropy work.

She is an Oprah Winfrey Standing Ovation Recipient, CNN Hero, People Magazine Hero Among Us, YWCA Woman of Distinction and US Army Chief of Staff Outstanding Civilian Service Awardee—just to name a few.

And if that wasn’t enough, Boothe is a VetHERan, wife, mom and business owner.

Boothe founded her nonprofit, Final Salute Inc., in 2010 after being told there were no programs available to help struggling women Veterans like herself.

Being a woman in the military and leaving service due to medical reasons, she was told to go to Health and Welfare, there were no services for her at the VA to help her get suitable housing.

She wanted to end the cycle of homelessness and provide resources for women who served.

According to FinalSaluteInc.org, the federal government estimates there are currently 55,000 homeless women Veterans in the United States on any given day.

There is a shortage of housing facilities for women Veterans which oftentimes leaves them out on the streets or couch surfing if they have children.

Final Salute Inc. has three programs; H.O.M.E, S.A.F.E. and Next Uniform to help prevent homelessness for women Veterans and their children.

The H.O.M.E program stands for Housing Outreach Mentorship Encouragement and provides transitional housing, food, employment services and other support services.

The Savings Assessment and Financial Education (S.A.F.E) program supplies women Veterans with financial support and education.

The Next Uniform program helps Veterans transition from military to civilian life by providing business attire, makeovers and professional headshots are just a few of the items provided to honor their service and uplift their spirits during the annual event. The Ms. Veteran America (MVA) Competition is hosted annually by Final Salute Inc. and raises awareness and funds for their programs.

The competition is a way for like-minded women to come together and join a tribe wanting to help our sisters-in-arms.

Starting a nonprofit organization isn’t easy but Boothe made it happen. She is fierce. She is determined. She is a SHEro to many.

Photo above: Contestants from 2018

Photos below: Past Queens of the Ms. Veteran America Competition (left to right) Mary Ann Hotaling (2020), Naviere Walkewicz (2019), Kerri Jeter (2015) Molly Mae Potter (2016) and her mom, Ann Potter.

Boothe: I am a former Army Officer who flips adversity on its tail! A spiritually-centered entrepreneur, Chicago native, disabled Army Veteran, cancer survivor, advocate, and speaker who gave over 17 years of service to this great nation.

I was left with lifelong disabilities from cancer, depression and major surgeries to include double-knee replacements and spinal fusion. I then found a healthy self-care channel through meditation, mindfulness and spirituality.

Freedom Sisters: What are your top three tips you would give women veterans separating from service to be successful in life?

Boothe: 1.Trust Your Intuition 2.Feed Your Spirit 3.Make Self-Care a Priority

Freedom Sisters: What type of people should you surround yourself with to be successful?

Boothe: I don’t surround myself with people, I surround myself with energy. People can fake emotions and character; energy never lies.

Boothe: In 2005, I was a single parent in the Army Reserves living in New Orleans. During my mobilization for a deployment to Iraq, my life presented seemingly insurmountable challenges.

That August, I lost everything I owned due to Hurricane Katrina but rather than succumb to my losses, I shifted my focus to my platoon whose lives relied on my leadership.

However, the next month I received a devastating diagnosis of aggressive head, neck and throat cancer and was unable to deploy.

I faced limited options, difficult choices and because of my illness, was discharged from the military. Yet, I would not go down without a fight!

In need of complex full-time medical care, a job and a place to live with my young son, I was told there were no existing programs for female Veterans with children and that I should explore welfare and social services just like every other single mother.

[I felt] America had forgotten about the women who serve, fight, bleed and die alongside their male counterparts.

I found these options unacceptable and was determined to not only find my own way but make a lasting change that would benefit others like me. After extensive cancer treatment including radiation therapy that left life-long side effects, I was able to stay in the [Army] Reserves and immediately began looking for full-time employment and housing.

While living with my aunt in Missouri, I accepted a job offer from the Army National Guard and later returned to full-time duty in Washington, DC.

My struggle led to my determination to ensure my fellow female Veterans had a resource in their time of need. I founded Final Salute Inc., in November 2010 as part of my commitment to Never Leave a Fallen Comrade.

Freedom Sisters: What advice can you give to someone looking to start their own non-profit?

Boothe: If you think abundantly, you'll find abundance. If you believe you can do amazing things, you will do amazing things. If you believe that you can live life on your own terms, find success and help people along the way—you will.

Freedom Sisters: Let's get to a fun question, tell us one thing about yourself that most people don't know?

Boothe: Earlier this year, I launched the newly created skin-care line, AJNA Awakening, www.ajna-awakening.com encouraging others to nourish their skin and their mind.

Boothe: It does not matter if you are student, athlete, business professional or ballroom dancer, your happiness, success and well-being are directly related to your mindset.

Always, always, always keep improving, building, growing, learning and reflecting.

Following your dreams is imperative. You never want to have regrets. Starting a nonprofit is hard work. There is a lot of research, time and paperwork involved.

You can find a guide that outlines the process here. The steps may vary state to state, do your due diligence in researching your state laws to begin your nonprofit organization.

Your first step is to identify a cause you are passionate about and list ways you can help. Create your mission statement and visualize how you will be successful in achieving this.

Networking is key. Introduce yourself to local businesses and community members. Ask to speak at monthly meetings and share your nonprofit proposal with them. Don’t be afraid to tell them you need their support.

Brainstorm fundraiser ideas: raffles, concerts and fun runs are a few that have been successful for myself and others. If possible, relate your fundraiser to your cause by tying in the theme. Promote your event on social media, with flyers and through word of mouth. The more excitement you create around your fundraiser the more success you will have.

A final tip from Boothe—focus your energy into your cause and improve it. If you put positivity towards your passion you can make a difference in your community and across the nation. Become an advocate for your cause. Shout it out on your social media platforms. Start recruiting supporters from online, in person and local business owners. Research other nonprofits with the same cause to see how they run their businesses.

Above all else—be yourself. As with any business there will be ups and downs. Stick with it and don’t give up on your dreams. You never know the impact you will have on others if you quit before you even get started.