The 2017 Women Veterans Conference took place Thursday, May 25 at the Ramada Hotel and Conference Center in Plymouth, MN. At the event Minnesota women who have served, or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, had the chance to connect with their sisters-in-arms, hear from speakers, and get information on the benefits and resources they have earned through their service.

Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) Senior Claims Representative, Wendy Sederstrom shared her experience as a WAC in the Women’s Army Corps. Sederstrom served in the Army from 1974-1976 and was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany in the 3rd Armored Division. She has been an MDVA Tribal Veterans Service Officer since 2008.

“As I look out here at all of you and as I meet Veterans every day in my job, I am continuingly amazed at the job that everybody does for this Country. The missions they go on, the types of things they’ve done. Every day I’m just in awe of the job that everybody has done here, so when I say thank you for your service, I really mean it,” said Sederstrom.

LTC Erika Cashin spoke next about Lean In Women Veterans and Lean In Military. LTC Cashin is currently assigned to the 934th Airlift Wing, Minneapolis, MN. She founded the first military Lean In Circle in 2013 and the DoD-wide Military chapter in 2015. In 2016, she founded the Lean In Women Veterans Initiative, supported by the VA’s Center for Women Veterans and Lean In. Cashin informed the audience of how Lean In Circles work, the benefits of being involved in a Lean In Circle, and how you can start your own circle.

“The impact of Lean In Circles is not just about the mentorship we give through telling our stories, but also what we receive from listening to each other’s experiences. No matter what age, or stage of life and career, we’re all able to gain insight on something we weren’t aware of or didn’t know. There’s mutual benefit, and the Circle’s an open door to start discussion,” said Cashin.

Alissa Wirth from the “Cat’s Meow WWII Girls” gave a presentation on Women in WWII. The Cat’s Meow WWII Girls are a group of women who represent both the civilian and military sides of the WWII era. They reenact to educate others about WWII and the roles that women played during that time. Wirth also had a large display of women service uniforms and memorabilia set up at the conference for viewing.

The Women Veterans Initiative presented WWII Veteran, Elizabeth Steele Whitbeck with the 2017 Woman Veteran of the Year award. The Women Veterans Initiative honors one extraordinary female Veteran annually who has honorably served in the United States Military, displays leadership, supports Women Veteran issues and contributes to her Minnesota community.

Afternoon breakout workshops included yoga, self-defense, benefits assistance, sample holistic health treatments and social media safety. Women also had the chance to create their own battle flag and participate in a “military mom roundtable.” View photos from the event here.