by Heather Coe Clark
“Excuse me Mam, that parking space is for veterans. Yes, I know, I am a veteran. No mam if your husband is with you, you can park there, but otherwise you need to park in another space.”
From being confronted about parking in a veteran space to a male dominated healthcare, business and nonprofit world, female veterans are often overlooked, dismissed and not a part of the American military story.
Hello, my name is Heather Coe Clark and I Am The Veteran.
Throughout history women have been a part of the centuries old movement called war. Conflicts that arose around the world where an opposing group responded with an armed engagement to defend territory and freedom. From tending to the wounded, to putting on the uniform in secret to the women today that serve in every branch of the military. Women have always been part of the movement to defend liberty and freedom and vital to the continuation of America.
The modern female veteran may be allowed to join the military, wear the uniform, and receive services, but the number of resources available compared to male counterparts is anything but equal. Recognition of their contributions and consideration of their needs are often an afterthought and only considered if proactively pushed by a female veteran. The Post 9/11 generation is dominated with male veteran stories of courage and sacrifice, flooded with male veteran podcasts, books, movies and nonprofits.
An absence of women’s place in military history is the most glaring in American cinema. The modern-day storyteller of our culture and history, influences the collective mindset of who is and isn’t significant in the mission to defend our country. Military movies are often the most memorable filled with action and stories of courage, bravery, and brotherhood. What about the sisters? There are a handful of movies that have included women in the military and have not received the recognition or accolades of males’ stories. Even the actresses that have played in this handful of productions have seen the lack of recognition and value in telling our stories.
Demi Moore, one of the most well-known actresses in the world has played in two military movies as both a supporting and main lead character. In her book “Inside Out” she talks about how directors did not see the need to keep her in, A Few Good Men because there was no romantic relationship between her and the main character. One director stated “Why didn’t we just cast a male, if there isn’t going to be any sexual relationship with the other officer?” He saw no need for a female military officer in the film if there was no sex involved.
In GI Jane she played the main character that told the story of a woman who made it through the most grueling of all military trainings to become an elite part of the US Navy Seals. Demi was disappointed to see that all the hard work she put in mentally and physically to tell the story of a female in the military would be considered as just a novelty film with no real impact.
Recognition of any group that directly contributes to a movement or action that impacts an entire country is deserving of the same respect and accolades of their counterparts. Recognition is the key to unlocking the door to other struggles that female veterans face, from that veteran parking space to equal resources after we get out. Once female veterans are truly recognized for their input, value, and place in that military story then the collective mindset will follow. So, let’s start there, thank you sisters, for your resilience, for your strength, courage and for your unwavering patriotism to defend and serve our great nation. They couldn’t have done it without you.
Hollywood if your listening, call me.
Sincerely Yours,
Heather Coe Clark
The Veteran
