What Does A Woman Veteran Look Like

Ten Women Answer The Question

What Does A Woman Veteran Look Like?

Intimate portraits and personal stories of ten Northern California women veterans.

by James R Morrison & J Mara Morrison

Melissa Washington U.S. Navy What tugs at my heart is helping women veterans. My personal life experience, from being a mother, military wife, Veteran, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, author and now founder of a grassroots movement, has only been possible because of the path I have had to walk personally. One that allows me to relate and resonate with these women who have served.

In January of 2015, I invited other women veterans to meet at a local restaurant to network.

There the Women Veterans Alliance was formed. It has grown into the largest women veterans networking group on the west coast. With these groups, we are not only strengthening the sisterhood but impacting women veteran's lives every day.

When I talked about the Women Veterans Alliance, I received questions from people who wanted to know, What does a woman veteran look like? This gave me an idea to have women veterans tell their story, accompanied by a photograph, so people would know the answer. I took my idea to James and Mara Morrison, who own a professional photography business and support women veterans. They embraced the project, devoting hours of their time and expertise to distinguish and honor each woman veteran they photographed. The resulting portraits are a salute to ten strong beautiful warriors. I hope you enjoy their stories and celebrate their contributions.

Melissa Washington, Navy Veteran President/Founder Women Veterans Alliance http://www.womenveteransalliance.org/ 1

Photographer's Perspective A petite woman with a quick laugh, Kathy rocked our perceptions about women veterans in the first fifteen minutes of our meeting. It only took a few minutes of discussion to narrow down the portrait location to Kathy's home. A week later she met us at the front door, her warm and welcoming style apparent as she helped us move furniture and redesign her great room. “It’s one of my favorite places to relax and entertain,” she explained.

While James set up the shots he wanted, Kathy shared her family history and a source of pride. Her dad and brother were also Navy veterans. “My dad inspired me to become more involved with my community. He believed in giving back,” she added.

Kathy’s nameplate and Navy Achievement Medal certificate from her military service is on the coffee table in front of her. A beloved photograph of her late father, Gordon Nakagawa, a retired captain in the Navy, is prominently displayed. Symbols of the life she shares with her family are reflected in the portrait behind her. A dedicated baseball fan, Kathy included her favorite San Francisco Giant’s jersey. To the right a project management manual represents her current profession, a Senior Program Manager with Hewlett-Packard Enterprise.

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Kathy Takayama U.S. Navy I am Kathy Takayama - a Navy Brat (father retired as a captain with >30 years, including time served as a POW at the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” during the Vietnam War) and a Navy Veteran myself.

I served 4 years as a Naval Nuclear Power Instructor in Orlando, FL, where we provided training for officers and enlisted men who went on to operate our Nuclear Powered Aircraft Carriers and Submarines. Since I was an Applied Mathematics Major at the University of California Davis, (where a recruiter pulled me aside and said “Have I got a deal for you”), I started by teaching Enlisted Math, but quickly moved to teach Reactor Theory. In my last two years, they trusted me with a leadership position (just two years out of college!), as Division Director of the Officer Mathematics Department. I exited as a Lieutenant Nakagawa (maiden name) with a Navy Achievement Medal. I’m also particularly proud of my Expert Pistol and Expert Rifle ribbons.

When asked if I ever served any time at sea, the answer is yes - a 4 hour tour, which was just long enough to peek through the periscope of the sub after traveling beyond the horizon.

Since leaving the Navy, I found my passion as a Program Manager at Hewlett Packard, leading teams of R&D (Research and Development) engineers developing new products and solutions for enterprise customers. I’ve also spent time as an IT consultant, and Certified Microsoft and Novell instructor.

While at the Hewlett Packard’s Roseville site, I was one of the founders of our Veterans Employee Resource Network, where our team of Veterans and Veteran Supporters raise awareness, help veterans, and volunteer in the community.

I am married to husband, Mike, and my son Ryan is currently majoring in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nevada. In my spare time, I enjoy remodeling my house, photography, golfing, and cheering on the San Francisco Giants – Go Giants!

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Photographer's Perspective She approached us quietly while we were talking to another woman veteran. She walked with a noticeable limp, her expressive nearly black eyes flashing behind her glasses. “I’m Megan Kennedy,” she stated and asked if she could join us. After introductions, she shared more about her experience as a U. S. Army reservist and the medical and administrative challenges she faced after being injured during basic training. In spite of the disability she deals with every day, Megan told us her greatest joy is advocating for student veterans at UC Davis, as an analyst and adviser in Undergraduate Admissions. Asking her thoughts on a favorite location for her portrait, Megan told us, “I love my job. I would like to be photographed at the UC Davis Welcome Center." In understanding, we agreed.

A few weeks later we arrived at the UC Davis Welcome Center, a well-designed space specifically built to welcome new students.

We set up our camera and lights and waited for Megan. Minutes later she stepped out of her office with a wide smile, “I’m nervous but I’m ready.” She was patient as we positioned her on the back of a chair, holding a brochure she hands out to student veterans. The podium sign and her UC Davis Aggies blouse are symbols of her current life as a student advocate and leader.

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Megan Kennedy U.S. Army After I graduated high school in 2002, I joined the Army Reserve as a Cargo Specialist (88H).

Unfortunately, I was injured in Basic Training and my injuries were not diagnosed until Advanced Individual Training, and I was unable to deploy to Afghanistan with my unit. I was discharged in 2005 under conditions other than honorable (OTH) and now suffer from permanent disabilities, affecting my feet/ankles, knees, and back. My compensation claim has been pending with the VA for over 4 years. I now also suffer from a severe depressive disorder, a recurrent anxiety disorder, and a panic disorder.

I’ve been through a lot of tough things as a result of being injured in the Army and receiving a “bad” discharge – financial and housing problems that continue to this day. I used to think I didn’t deserve to be called a veteran, and hid my service because of the shame I carried from getting hurt so early on and not deploying during such a crucial time.

I didn’t have access to my G.I. Bill because of my discharge, but I was able to use VA Vocational Rehabilitation (Ch. 31) to complete my bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Political Science at the University of California, Davis. During that time, I met fellow veterans who not only supported me but also inspired me to keep striving for the things I want in life. I work for UC Davis now and use my position as an analyst and adviser in Undergraduate Admissions to advocate for veterans and military in public higher education.

I struggle every day – psychologically and physically – with the fact that I am in my 30s and permanently disabled. I often think it was all for nothing. But serving my brothers and sisters in arms in the small ways that I can is one of the larger goals in my life that keeps me going.

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Photographer's Perspective We first met Tiffany on the Sierra College campus in Rocklin. She was standing on the library steps, a tall, willowy young woman, her hair a halo around her lovely face. When we introduced ourselves she smiled shyly and told us she was nervous. While in the Navy, Tiffany served as an Individual Augmentee (Navy or Air Force person who deploys with the Army as a supplement to their mission). She was deployed to Uruzgan Province in Afghanistan as a supplement to an Army unit, where she drove a MATV (All Terrain Vehicle). Although dealing with bouts of depression, she told us she was pursuing an accounting and entrepreneurship major at Sierra College. She told us she wanted a portrait location reflective of her current life. Keeping things simple, we agreed to photograph her on the Sierra College campus.

On a bright, warm Saturday, we met Tiffany on the college quad by the library. We had her stand under a tree, books in her arms, ready for her next class. The military ribbon bar in her pocket and small image of her driving a MATV are symbols of her service in the U. S. Navy. A favorite photograph of her family - husband and two children - “Soon to be three,” she told us with a smile, is on the right, reminders of the bright future she embraces.

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Tiffany Lujan U.S. Navy My name is Tiffany Lujan and I am 30 years old. I am married with two children and I am pregnant with my third. I served in the United States Navy for 9 years. I joined on a whim after graduating high school. I had aged out of the foster care system and I wanted to “get away”.

Upon boot camp graduation, I chose to spend my first three years in Japan.

I was forward deployed and I got to see a dozen other countries as well. After Japan I chose orders to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to be a detainee guard. After Cuba, I went to Virginia for a year and then left again on a ship that was doing a home-port change from Virginia to California.

Shortly after arriving in California, I received Individual Augmentee (IA) orders to Afghanistan (an IA is a non-Army person who deploys with the Army). I deployed to Afghanistan for a year.

In Afghanistan I worked as an MATV driver. I had constant underlying feeling of isolation. After Afghanistan, I returned to my ship and I was unable to function normally. I didn’t want to be there or anywhere. Due to my extreme level of depression, I made the decision to request to separate early. My request was approved, but at the very last minute, I changed my mind.

After being approved to stay, I was sent to another ship. Shortly after the ship left port for deployment, I began to feel isolated, depressed and anxious again. I tried to cover the feelings and push through. I met and fell in love with my husband, but no one was able to help me to cope with my internal struggles. Eventually, I felt trapped to the point that I became suicidal.

Panic attacks were increasing to daily occurrences. I was flown back to the US so I could heal.

The Navy chose to honorably discharge me due to psychological reasons.

The adjustment from military to civilian has been difficult. My faith in Jesus Christ and my support system has been the foundation of my healing.

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Photographer's Perspective After reading her impressive military and civilian career accounts, we were looking forward to meeting U. S. Air Force Reservist Major Sara Reed. She greeted us warmly at the UC Davis campus, where we shared ideas on her upcoming portrait. In consideration of her schedule, we collectively decided to photograph Sara in her office. Time and space were at a premium the day of the portrait session. Sara graciously helped us set up her office for best angles and lighting while outlining some of the challenges she encountered as Director of the Shared Services Center for UC Davis. When asked about her family, the best smile of the portrait session lit her face when she responded, “They’re the center of my life.”

Sara is leaning against the end of her desk, facing the door, a slide advance clicker in her hand, a key point slide on the wall behind her citing the strength of leadership within organizations. On the wall on her right is a signed lithograph of a U-2 airplane given to her as a traditional farewell for the last unit she served. Next to her is her Air Force cover, the gold leaf indicating her rank as Major. A favorite family portrait of her husband and twin daughters resides on the shelf above. Prominently displayed on the wall is one of Sara's favorite quotes by Mahatma Gandhi, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."

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Dr. Sara A. Reed U.S. Air Force Maj Sara Reed is a veteran and Reserve officer of the United States Air Force. Sara was commissioned as an officer in May 2001 and served on active duty for her first assignment at Shaw AFB, SC. During her first assignment, Sara served as a logistics officer, supporting deployments in support of Operations Northern Watch, Southern Watch, and other post-9/11 operations. Following experience in logistics and personnel, Sara was selected to cross-train in to the intelligence career field. In this career field, she continued to serve on active duty with a twoyear assignment to Osan Air Base, South Korea. Following this assignment, Sara moved with her husband to Arizona, where she supported operations in Southern Command, including the rescue of hostages in Colombia and support to Haiti after the 2010 Earthquake. Additionally, she deployed to the Combined Air and Space Operations Center in 2009. In 2010, Sara transitioned to the U.S. Air Force Reserve when her twin daughters were born. She continues to serve as a Reserve officer.

As a civilian, Sara joined University of California, Davis, in 2012 as the Chief Administrative Officer for the BFTV Cluster, supporting four academic departments within the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and College of Engineering. In July 2014, Sara became the Director of the Shared Services Center, leading a team of administrative professionals in providing partnerfocused support services for 7,000+ staff and student employees on the campus. Since becoming the Director of University of California Davis’s Shared Services Center, Sara has led her team through team redesigns, designing and executing a campus and client engagement strategy, resulting in the highest client satisfaction rate to date for the Shared Services Center. She is active in the campus community, volunteering in a variety of capacities to support employee development, diversity, and continuous improvement and creativity. Sara earned her BA in Russian Area Studies, Masters of Science in Management and Masters of Arts in Higher Education Leadership, and Doctorate in educational leadership and management.

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Photographer's Perspective Megan MacPherson’s account of her U.S. Navy career was written in a style reflective of her position as the Public Affairs and Communications Director for the City of Roseville. When we met Megan we were immediately drawn to her warm, down to earth manner. Easy to talk to we asked her to tell us about the things she enjoys doing to relax. Megan laughed and confessed she loves reading the Sunday newspaper. “I read it the old fashioned way, page by page with a good cup of coffee - an endeavor my kids don't get.” With that information in mind, we quickly collaborated on a location and laid out the details for her approval. “Perfect,” she told us.

On a warm, lazy Sunday afternoon, we set up our camera in front of the City of Roseville Civic Center where Megan works, surrounded by trees, splash fountains, and laughing children. When Megan arrived, we had her sit at a table reading the Sunday paper. The Civic Center in the background and a favorite photograph of her two children placed on the back page of the newspaper are symbols of her life today. On the front page is a headline honoring veterans, and in front of her, the “Ensign Mac" coffee cup she kept over the years, a reminder of her service in the U.S Navy.

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Megan MacPherson U.S. Navy As the daughter of a career Navy man, Megan Murray MacPherson didn’t picture herself in the Navy, but with encouragement from her mom, she applied for and was awarded a four-year Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) scholarship to Northwestern University, majoring in journalism.

Well, it was the right fit; and in 1991, she became the third female battalion commander since the Northwestern unit was established in 1926. The 1990s was an era of concentrated changes for the military. Allowing women to serve in combat roles was being discussed; and banning service members based on sexual orientation was a debate that raged on campus.

For her part, MacPherson led the effort to end the tradition of having an “Empress Queen” crowned at the school’s annual Navy Ball. “It seemed like a relic from the past,” MacPherson said. “The idea of having me as a woman in uniform who led the midshipman battalion, ceremonially crown another female undergraduate as our queen seemed odd in the context of a military event.”

A search and rescue helicopter squadron in Pensacola, Fla., was MacPherson’s first duty station, followed by an assignment as the hazardous materials and oil spill officer at Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii. Her familiarity with the base’s cultural, historical, and natural resources led to an assignment in the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Office to provide familiarization tours to applicants for reuse of the land and facilities at the base.

“Wreckage from aircraft shot down during the attack on Pearl Harbor still lay where it fell in remote areas of the base, along with heiaus or sacred Native Hawaiian temples,” MacPherson said. “It was a privilege to share these resources with people.”

Since her service, MacPherson spent 10 years at PR firms in Honolulu and Florida before joining local government. She was Communications and Media Director for Sacramento County and now serves as Public Affairs and Communications Director for the City of Roseville, California.

“So much about the military has changed since the time I served,” she said. “But what I learned about leading people is the same. Despite its hierarchy, the military focus on servant leadership applies everywhere: Know your role on the team to accomplish the mission, and take care of your people.”

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Photographer's Perspective When we read her story about leading an all female engagement team in Southern Afghanistan, we were taken by surprise when a tall woman with dark brown eyes and a shy smile introduced herself as Sevrine Banks at the outdoor cafe where we agreed to meet. It only took a few minutes of conversation to recognize her leadership skills and visible pride as she shared her 20 year military career. During discussion on location preference, Sevrine told us how much she enjoys volunteering with Dress for Success Sacramento. A chance meeting with a friend and Dress Barn store manager, Heather Dutra, proved synchronistic. Heather volunteered her store's front window in support of our women veterans portrait project. She told us Dress Barn has held Dress for Success donation drives for the past several years.

Sevrine posed inside the Dress Barn window, scarf in hand; a dress and pair of shoes placed on the chair behind her, in anticipation of an upcoming Dress For Success clothing drive. Visible behind Sevrine is a favorite photograph of her holding a child in her arms while deployed in Southern Afghanistan, a memory, she told us, she would never forget. In the forefront is a photo of her two children smiling broadly, a joyous reminder of the life she leads now.

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Sevrine Banks U.S. Army (Retired) My name is Sevrine Banks. I am an Army Veteran, retired with 20 years of service. I come from a long history of service members. I was a combat medic during my career and had the honor of serving with amazing people.

In 2012, I was selected to serve as the First Sergeant of the only Female Engagement Team Company consisting of 64 women who would deploy to Southern Afghanistan to assist Combat Arms units in interacting with the women and children of Afghanistan. This was truly the most humbling experience of my life. These women overcame many obstacles in order to be assigned to combat arms units as the only women assigned to a platoon at the time.

Deployment and being in the military takes a toll on you, especially when you have children. My son was 13 months when I deployed to Iraq, even though I skyped and called him, when I returned, he screamed when I went to reach for him. That broke my heart, the baby I carried for 10 months was afraid of me. I told myself I never wanted to do that again; however, I was too close to retirement to get out. Two years later, I left again. During my deployment to Afghanistan, I decided it was time to retire. The military was great to me and my family, but my children needed me home. It was a tough decision, I loved being a soldier, but my children only have one person to call mom - me.

We have started roots in Sacramento, CA and love it. I do miss the camaraderie and the feeling of doing something bigger than yourself. I have found that giving back to the community and helping other women veterans brings the same satisfaction.

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Photographer's Perspective Air Force veteran and reservist, Mischa Wiebel, is a refreshingly direct woman who shared her background and future plans at our ďŹ rst meeting. When we asked about things she enjoyed, she told us she loved to knit. "It's a great way to release stress.

I have at least ten knitting projects going on at once." When discussing preferred locations, Mischa told us how much she enjoyed the outdoors, exploring local sites and visiting wineries with her husband, Brandon.

A referral from a friend led to a quick telephone call and a meeting with Kevin Stevenson, owner and winemaker of the Le Casque Winery in Loomis. He graciously opened his tasting room on a chilly morning so we could photograph Mischa. We placed her next to a beautiful old table, holding a favorite stainless steel wine glass (from a pair her and Brandon received as a wedding gift), a current knitting project placed next to her, reminders of the life she enjoys now. The wings and the ladybug seen by her hand, are symbols representative of her life in the Air Force.

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Mischa Weibel U.S. Air Force Both my parents were in the Air Force through my early childhood. I had an attachment to the military from the beginning, earning an ROTC scholarship to college. But I struggled with college with no one looking over my shoulder and making me do homework. I eventually failed enough classes and my GPA dropped low enough to lose my scholarship. I stuck it out, trying to salvage my grades, but had to drop out when I ran out of money. I worked for a couple years but got tired of working dead end jobs. I wanted to go back to school, but couldn’t get financial aid, and knew the military would help. I had a talent for foreign languages in college, and with my parents working around planes as a kid, I thought it would be cool to fly, so I went in as an Airborne Linguist. On the day I chose my job, there was one Airborne Linguist spot available across the whole Air Force. It felt like fate. I left for Basic April 4, 2006 It took me 3 years to complete training. I studied Arabic, but by the time I finished training, there wasn’t a use for my skills. I had an opportunity to volunteer for a new program, Project Liberty, one of a kind, going from concept to operational in 6 months. I deployed to Iraq before Thanksgiving 2009, my first time out of the country. This was the best time of my career, working with great people and feeling like we were accomplishing something. Afterward, with so little experience, I had a rare opportunity to be an instructor. It was busy and I had to make personal sacrifices, leaving the guy I would eventually marry.

It was a difficult choice to give up being a linguist since that is what I joined to do, but it was exciting, never been done. I deployed two more times to Afghanistan, in 2012 and again in 2013. In December 2012, I lost my dad. Meanwhile, I had reconnected with my old boyfriend and we reconsidered. In April 2013, we eloped. With the pace at which we were working and dealing with the death of my father, I started struggling. My unit didn’t help, through malicious intent or just ignorance, and I was chosen for Force Reduction in 2013. In September 2014, I separated with an Honorable discharge, a year and half early. It was a blessing in disguise. I’ve struggled with employment since getting out but am happy to be out of the full-time military.

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Photographer's Perspective Breathless from rushing, a young woman with a radiant smile approached us. “I’m Nancy Pancan-Vargas," she said. Sitting down, Nancy shared her focused interest in helping veterans on the Sierra College campus where she works at the Veteran Center, while studying for a degree in psychology specifically to work in the trauma therapy field. Our discussion centered on her interests and location of her portrait. Without hesitation, Nancy told us when she was deployed, she realized how important her family was to her. “We’re a large, close-knit family and spend as much time together as possible,” she added.

We suggested Nancy be portrayed in front of her parent’s home, making the session personal to her and her family.

The weather was hot and windy on the day of Nancy’s portrait. With a slight adjustment in our location and some assistance by Nancy’s younger brother, Bryan and her sister, Kim, we quickly set up outside her parent's home. We portrayed Nancy heading off to classes, car door open, holding her books, symbolic of the life she embraces now. The ACU (Army combat uniform) and the Iraq Veteran - First Cavalry Division decal on her car a reminder of her seven years of service to her country.

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Nancy Pancan-Vargas U.S. Army Hello my name is Nancy Jessenia Vanessa Pancán-Vargas. I was born in Gualán-Zacapa, Guatemala and raised in Auburn, CA. I am the oldest of five siblings. All the men on my father’s side have served in the military for generations. My father served in the Guatemalan Special Forces, Kaibil. He inspired me to serve in the United States military as he and my family did for their country. I was the first and only female in my family to have served in any military branch, which was very unexpected and not very supported by my family, but they eventually were very proud of me.

I joined the Army at the age of 18 in in 2006 and was in until 2013. My Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) Specialist. During my military time I was deployed to Iraq. During my deployment, I realized the struggles women around the world encounter on a daily basis. I have seen it in my home country of Guatemala and now in Iraq, Qatar and Kuwait. Seeing the cultural expectations of women made me appreciate my life in the United States. I enjoyed my time in the military and would not trade it for anything in the world. I was exposed to so many different type of people and have learned about their cultures, something I would not have learned in the small town of Auburn.

I am currently enrolled at Sierra College working on my degree in psychology. I plan to transfer to Sacramento State University and work in the trauma therapy field to specifically help other veterans cope with combat stress through cognitive therapy. I also work at the veterans center at my school. When I am not working or studying, you can find me enjoying time with my family and friends whether it is taking a road trip to the coast, kayaking, or swimming, pretty much anything to do with water. I also love to volunteer with veterans, participate in local races and other social activities.

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Photographer's Perspective Suzi Vinci’s essence strolled through the door before she did. Over six feet, with a mane of golden brown hair and eyes like a lioness, Suzi commanded attention in the small coffee shop where we met. After reading her service history in the U.S. Navy and as a reservist, we were curious about the location she would choose for her portrait. Shortly after introductions, Suzi stated, “Music is my life. I love being on the road with my husband.” When she’s not giving her all as an Assistant Veterans Services Officer with Placer County, she’s on the road setting up lights and staging venues including the Roseville Opera House Saloon, where we photographed her.

Tom Vinci met us at the The Roseville Opera House Saloon to turn on the lighting he designed for the stage area behind Suzi. We placed Suzi seated at a cocktail table, her dark purple blouse a contrast to the lights behind her. Symbolizing her service in U.S. Navy, Suzi included a photo of herself in uniform, an achievement medal and her cover (hat). A company shirt with the Telesound logo was placed on the table, a symbol of the business she and Tom own and the future they share.

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Suzi Vinci U.S. Navy Suzi is a Northern California Native, born at Mather AFB, CA. She comes from a strong military family background with a total of 5 generations serving in the United States Military which span each conflict beginning with World War I. She served a total of 14.5 year in the US Navy between active duty and reserve. She was attached to Commander and Chief of the Pacific Fleet Det 520, Naval Reserve Recruiting Command Det 1 and Special Boat Unit Det 122, serving in an administrative role as a Yeoman.

Suzi began her journey in veteran services in early 2007 as a State Service Officer for AMVETS. She is lifetime member of both AMVETS and VFW. In 2013 she transferred to Sacramento County Veteran Services and in December 2014 became a Placer County Veteran Services team member. She has an extensive background working with the female veterans in our community and surrounding areas. She has recently been appointed as a member of VA Northern California Health Care System, Women’s Health Steering Committee. She has most recently been appointed as the Placer County Veteran’s Assistant Service Officer.

Suzi and her husband Tom own a local sound, stage and lighting business, her husband is also the Front of House sound engineer for Pablo Cruise as well as being a drummer in a local 80’s cover band called Superlicious. Outside of her “regular” job her life is filled with music and travel.

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Photographer's Perspective Her long hair in a ponytail, wearing sunglasses, Isa McIntyre approached our table. “Hi, I’m Isa”, she told us, extending her hand with a smile. After introductions we talked about the challenges she and her family faced in the last few years. After leaving the U.S. Army, Isa told us she was focused on attending college, a dream she held for several years. She admitted between her class schedule and care of her children, she really values time alone. “I love to take rides in the area and find new places to visit and just relax. Me time is hard to come by with my busy life." Isa confessed she loves to take selfies of herself and family and post them. We decided to photograph Isa along the South Fork of the American River, near Columbia State Park. She was delighted by the prospect.

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The day of Isa’s session was cool and clear. With very few people in the area, we were able to find a quiet place to set up. She proved to be a good sport, climbing over rocks by the river before we found the perfect location. We captured Isa holding a selfie stick in her hand in anticipation of her next photo opportunity. On the backpack next to her is a magazine with a favorite image of her three children, a snapshot of her in uniform, and an achievement medal strategically placed, reflecting her military background and Isa’s current busy lifestyle.

Isa McIntyre U.S. Army After spending eight years in the Army, I made the decision to end my time in service and pursue my educational goals. Being from a family that always struggled financially, college was never an option in my mind. No one talked to me about going to college, so I assumed that it was unattainable for someone like me and instead joined the Army at the age of 17. The Army changed the idea that college wasn’t for me by stressing the importance of getting both a military and civilian education.

One might think that making the decision to get out of the Army was a difficult one, but it was not a difficult choice for me. I got out of the Army so that I could be more involved in my children’s lives. I had already made arrangements to start college before my enlistment contract was up, and I was very excited, and incredibly nervous, to start a new chapter in my life. Little did I know that life had a curveball to throw. My time in service was to end on April 11, 2012, but on April 8th, I received a phone call that would change my life and my children’s lives forever.

It was on Easter Sunday that I received a phone call that my husband had stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED) and had lost both of his legs. I packed up what few things I could and drove with my two boys from Fort Bragg, North Carolina to Bethesda, Maryland so that I could assist my husband in his recovery at Walter Reed. After putting my educational goals on hold for two years to support my husband, I finally get to put my energy into achieving one of the most important goals of my life.

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WVA was founded in 2015, by Melissa Washington a Navy Veteran who saw a need to bring women veterans together to help empower each other.

Women Veterans Alliance (WVA)mission: Women Veterans Alliance (WVA mission: To empower women that have served or are currently serving through networking, career and professional development, and mentorship.

The goals of Women Veterans Alliance are: To Equip Equip women with the tools to pursue a rewarding career To Empower those women who want to become entrepreneurs To Empower To Encourage Encourage women veteran through Mentorship to include young women that want to join the military To Strengthen Strengthen the sisterhood bond between women veterans To Develop Develop and Maintain Maintain strong community of women veteran supporters To Educate Educate the community that Women that have served are Veterans Active chapters are Sacramento, Chico, and Davis. With more chapters to come. The chapter meetings are open to any women that has served or currently serving.

Women Veterans Alliance is a community catalyst to honor the courage and sacriďŹ ce that woman veterans have made. The organization is volunteer based and operates using private donations and sponsorship, fundraising, and grant funding, where available. For more information about the organization, to become a volunteer, or to donate, please contact us.

WomenVeteransAlliance.org

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Ten Women Who Shattered Our Perceptions When Melissa Washington, Navy veteran and founder of the Sacramento, California-based Women Veterans Alliance, approached us to portray ten local women veterans, we embraced the opportunity. After a brief discussion with Melissa, we agreed to photograph each woman living her life now, a positive contributing member of the community she lives in. In hindsight, we realized we held perceptions about women veterans gained from media stories and research that had little to do with the women we photographed.

Melissa Washington requested the women write about their military experience and current life.

Their stories became the focus and heart of our portrait project. It was essential for us to establish a personal, intimate connection with them in order to break down barriers and reach in and capture their essence. We set up meetings with each woman to share concepts on portrait locations based on their personal interests and passions. We asked them to bring visual context to the images by including an item from their military service and something symbolic of their current life. Trust on their side and respect on ours created a collaborative relationship real and cherished. Portrait by portrait, the perceptions we held chipped away leaving us with the answer to the question.

What Does A Woman Veteran Look Like? She looks like the warm, intelligent, capable, and caring women in our portraits. Wives, mothers, grandmothers, professionals, students, advocates and friends. Women who have served our country with dignity and pride.

We want to thank an extraordinary group of women who touched our hearts and shattered our perceptions. We are forever in your gratitude.

James R. Morrison - I’m a Vietnam-era Navy veteran. In my 30 years as a professional portrait photographer capturing presidents, dignitaries, and California legislators, this has been one of the most challenging and gratifying projects I’ve completed.

J. Mara Morrison - I come from a family of veterans - dad, brother, and uncles. Growing up, my parents shared stories about women who served our country. I remain fascinated and touched by the women in our military then and now. We felt privileged to support and recognize these women by creating portraits reecting their personal strength and spirit.

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Ten Women Answer The Question What Does A Woman Veteran Look Like?

Intimate portraits and personal stories of ten Northern California women veterans.

We wish to acknowledge and thank the people, businesses and organizations who assisted us in completing our portrait project.

Richard Ryan, Owner - Roseville Opera House Saloon Tom Vinci, Telesound - For helping us setup, turn on the lights and set the stage.

Heather Dutra, Manager - Dress Barn, Citrus Heights For graciously providing her store window display in support of women veterans.

Pancan - Vargas Family For their help and support during our portrait session.

University of California, Davis, CA Permitting us to photograph in the Welcome Center and Shared Services OďŹƒces.

Kevin Stevenson, Owner/Winemaker - Le Casque Winery, Loomis, CA Opening his tasting room on a chilly morning in support of our women veterans portrait project.

The personal stories submitted for publication were written by the ten women veterans featured.

Copyrighted 2016 All Rights Reserved Photography by James R. Morrison Photographer's Perspectives by J. Mara Morrison If you are a woman veteran who would like to share your story, connect with us on our website or Facebook www.jamesrmorrison.com james@jamesrmorrison.com jmara@jamesrmorrison.com www.facebook.com/JamesRMorrisonPhotography 24

Provided by the City of Roseville