Alabama names first-ever Women Veterans Coordinator to connect growing group to services, agencies

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Friday is Women Veterans Day and the State of Alabama recently named its first ever statewide Women Veterans Coordinator.

As the population of women veterans continues to grow, so does the importance of providing services tailored to their unique experiences and needs. To lead those efforts, Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Jeff Newton has named Andrea Searor as the ADVA’s first Women Veterans Coordinator. In this role, she will advocate for and support women veterans across Alabama by connecting them to resources, services and opportunities that enhance their transition from service and overall well-being.

“Andrea’s leadership experience, military background, and passion for serving others make her the ideal person to serve as ADVA’s first Women Veterans Coordinator,” said Commissioner Newton. “She understands the experiences and challenges many women veterans face, and she will be a strong advocate in helping ensure women veterans across Alabama feel connected, supported and empowered to access the benefits and resources they have earned through their service.”

As the Women Veterans Coordinator, Searor will work directly with veterans, community organizations, and partner agencies to expand outreach, increase engagement, and raise awareness of programs and benefits available to women veterans throughout Alabama.

“I am honored to serve Alabama’s women veterans in this new role,” Searor said. “Women who served in uniform deserve strong support systems and access to the resources available to them, and I look forward to helping connect veterans across our state with the services and opportunities they need to thrive.”

Women Veterans Day recognizes and remembers the anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act that allowed women to serve as members of the military. President Harry S. Truman signed the act into law on June 12, 1948. Until then, only women nurses could serve in the armed forces.

Today, women are the fastest growing veteran group at VA. As of 2022, women make up ~30% of all new VA patients.

43,220 women veterans live in Alabama, but only 18,492 are enrolled in VA healthcare and just 14,215 actually received VA care last year. Women make up 13% of homeless veterans, though they represent only 11% of the total veteran population.

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