JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The city of Jacksonville is bringing awareness to Women’s Veterans Recognition Week.
The week opened on Sunday with a ceremony at City Hall, which marked the 10th year of the celebration.
Across Northeast Florida, there are more than 13,000 women veterans, according to Dee Quaranta, founder of NE Florida Women Veterans.
Jacksonville honored veterans and focused on the challenges they faced transitioning from uniform life to civilian life.
Quaranta said it’s taken a while for these women to receive some much-deserved recognition.
“They were really considered the invisible veteran. We’ve come a long way.. especially in Jacksonville...unique needs are met. I’m really proud of the city for embracing it. It took a little time,” Quaranta said.
Mayor Donna Deegan said Jacksonville has a reputation for embracing the military and explained efforts to help women veterans.
“We want to make sure they have all the educational opportunities they need. We want to make sure they have the health care they need. All those things that can sometimes be a challenge for veterans when they return from duty really doubles sometimes for women veterans,” Deegan said.
From a health fair to a self-care symposium, there are events celebrating these military vets across town, all week through Friday, June 14.
Women Veterans Recognition Week wraps up with a Gala on Saturday, honoring women who served during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War eras.
Some events require advanced registration or tickets and they’re selling out fast, visit form.jotform.com to purchase.