Women veterans from across the region are invited to gather April 8-10th at Giants Ridge in Biwabik for United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN)’s third Women Veterans weekend retreat.
The retreat is organized by UWNEMN’s United for Veterans committee and staff with financial support from area VFW, American Legion, AMVETS, DAV, and Beyond the Yellow Ribbon groups and is designed to recognize women veterans for their service, bring women veterans together, and share information and resources.
“It is our privilege to organize this retreat once again,” said UWNEMN Executive Director Erin Shay. “It is so powerful to see women veterans in our region connect with a network they didn’t know existed.”
United for Veterans committee member Chris Magnusson encourages local women veterans to attend and learn about other women veterans living in our region.
“As surprising as it may be, there really are quite a few women veterans in the area,” she said, noting past retreats spurred the creation of the Northeastern Minnesota Women Veterans group which has grown to include more than 100 women.
The goal of the retreat is to create a network of local women to support each other and share individual lessons learned as they adapt from military life to find housing, employment, and ever-growing circles of friends in the civilian world. It is open to women veterans of all ages, from all branches of service, who served in all capacities.
“From those who served in WWII to those that served over the years in more peaceful times, to the women veterans coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan, the Women Veterans Unite retreat will honor each woman’s service and provide tools and resources applicable to their lives,” Magnusson said.
The retreat includes wellness activities like yoga and nature walks as well as fun activities like Mystery Bingo, pallet painting, jewelry making, live music, and more. A panel of veteran resource experts has been organized to help women navigate their different options, and keynote speaker Marine Corps Veteran and Life Coach Hannah Holden will honor attendees’ military story while recognizing their inherent value as veterans and women.
Women interested in attending can register online through Sunday March 20th. Priority will be given to women veterans living or working within United UWNEMN’s service area for a fee of $50 which includes lodging, meals, and activities. Those residing outside of UWNEMN’s service territory will be placed on a wait list and will be contacted closer to the retreat if space allows. Proof of DD214 is required to register.
For more information and to register, click HERE or call 218-254-3329.