Kaczor is a retired Air Force colonel who currently lives in Franklin, Wis. During her time in the military, Kaczor served in Kosovo, Kuwait, and Iraq. She is currently an active volunteer with a variety of veterans' and civic organizations, including AMVETS Post 60 in Oak Creek, Wis.
Established in 1983, the advisory committee is comprised of experts who can advise VA on issues and program affecting women veterans, making recommendations to the secretary for administrative and legislative changes. Appointees hold their positions on the committee for two-year terms.
In addition to Kaczur, this year's appointees are Jack Phillip Carter, Jr., a retired Marine lieutenant colonel from Bradenton, Fla.; Nancy Glowacki, a former Army Reserve officer from Silver Spring, Md.; and Terry Moore, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel from Stetson, Maine.
"Throughout history women have played essential roles in the military," said VA Secretary Eric Shinseki in VA's announcement. "It is VA's responsibility to anticipate and prepare for the evolving needs of women veterans, their families, and survivors."
According to VA, women veterans are on the fastest growing demographic groups within the veterans' community. Today, approximately 1.8 million American women are veterans and women make up nearly five percent of all veterans who utilize VA health care services.
While VA estimates that the total number of veterans will decline over the next twenty years, the number of women veterans will actually increase by more than 20 percent over the same period.
For the last two years, AMVETS has listed issues facing women service members and veterans as a top legislative priority. At the 2010 AMVETS Symposium for 21st Century Veterans, the female veterans panel also identified current shortfalls and unintended consequences in VA's newest care models for female veterans, which VA said they quickly addressed.
To read AMVETS' recommendations to better serve today's women veterans in AMVETS 2011 Legislative Priorities, Click Here.
March is also Women's History Month and American Veteran will continue to publish stories of extraordinary military women and their contributions to the force, as we have done in years past. Check back regularly for updates.
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