Women Veterans Initiative

06/01/2026

MPLS VA Veteran Pop-Up Food Pantry, June 16

Food insecurity knows no boundaries – impacting all walks of life, including those who have served our nation. There’s a new effort to make sure our heroes have food to eat.

The Minnesota Veterans Food Pantry serves as a key fundraising platform of the Minneapolis VA’s pop-up food pantry, which occurs every third Tuesday of the month from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Those in need will receive a food box that includes shelf stable items (boxed meals/canned items), frozen items (meat/fish), and fresh items (fruits/vegetables).

Staff members are also on site to connect Veterans with other resources available through the VA.

06/01/2026

St. Cloud VA Women Veterans Town Hall, June 9

Join the St. Cloud VA for an evening dedicated to connecting and empowering Women Veterans in our community. Hear directly from local VA leadership, learn about the Caregiver Support Program and discover the full range of women-specific VA resources and services available to you — all in a welcoming, supportive environment.

https://mn.gov/mdva/assets/2026-06-09-women-veterans-town-hall_tcm1066-751139.pdf

06/01/2026

Minneapolis VA 2nd Annual Cancer Resource Fair
June 1, 2026
Join the Minneapolis VA for their 2nd Annual Cancer Resource Fair.

Immerse yourself in a day filled with support and resources.

Engage with VA service providers, including social work, palliative care, nutrition, cancer rehabilitation and survivorship.

Connect with fantastic community partners like Gilda's Club, Every Third Saturday, the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality and Healing, Camp Kesem and more. Try virtual reality to explore relaxation! Discover benefits and service connections with the American Legion, Veterans Benefits Administration, and Disabled Veterans Association.

Enjoy a variety of activities, including relaxing sessions with essential oils and M-technique hand massages. Bring your spouse or partner to explore VA offerings.

This event is open to caregivers, Veterans, and staff. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn, connect and receive the support you need. Don’t miss out on this special event.

Jun 1, 2026, 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Minneapolis VA Medical Center
70, Auditorium 1S-126
One Veterans Drive
Minneapolis, MN

More information is available at the Minneapolis VA website.

Cancer resource fair

05/30/2026

Start time has changed to 6p!

05/25/2026

05/25/2026

Membership Not Required

05/25/2026

🇺🇸 100% P&T Veterans: Your Decision Letter May Not Tell You Everything You’ve Earned 🇺🇸

Reaching 100% Permanent & Total with the VA is a major milestone.

But here’s the problem:

A lot of veterans get the decision letter, see the rating, notice a quick mention of Chapter 35, and then are left wondering…

“Okay… what now?”

The truth is, your VA decision letter tells you the rating decision — but it does not always walk you through every benefit that may now be available to you and your family.

And that means some veterans miss benefits for months… or even years.

First, understand this:

100% and 100% Permanent & Total are not always the same thing.

A veteran can be rated 100% without being P&T.
P&T means the VA has determined your service-connected conditions are not expected to improve enough to reduce your rating.

That designation matters because some benefits are tied specifically to Permanent & Total status.

Here are benefits many 100% P&T veterans should know about:

✅ Tax-free VA disability compensation
Your monthly VA disability payment is federal income tax-free and adjusts with annual cost-of-living increases.

✅ Priority Group 1 VA health care
100% P&T veterans are generally placed in VA health care Priority Group 1, which can reduce or eliminate many out-of-pocket VA health care costs.

✅ VA dental care
This one surprises a lot of veterans. At 100% P&T, you may qualify for comprehensive VA dental care — not just basic cleanings.

✅ CHAMPVA for eligible dependents
Your spouse and qualifying children may be eligible for CHAMPVA health coverage if they do not qualify for TRICARE.

✅ Chapter 35 / DEA education benefits
Your spouse or dependent children may qualify for education or training benefits through the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance program.

✅ VA home loan funding fee waiver
Veterans with service-connected disabilities may be exempt from the VA home loan funding fee. Make sure your lender knows before closing.

✅ VA Life Insurance
VA Life offers guaranteed acceptance whole life insurance for eligible service-connected veterans, with no medical exam or health questions.

✅ Federal student loan discharge
Some 100% disabled veterans may qualify for federal student loan discharge. This may include loans the veteran is legally responsible for, such as certain Parent PLUS loans. Always check tax implications before acting.

✅ Commissary and exchange access
Veterans with a service-connected disability may have access to commissary, exchange, and online exchange shopping benefits.

✅ America the Beautiful Access Pass
Veterans with a permanent disability may qualify for free lifetime access to national parks and other federal recreation areas.

✅ Special Monthly Compensation
Some veterans may qualify for additional VA compensation above the 100% rate if they have certain severe disabilities or need aid and attendance.

✅ CRDP or CRSC for military retirees
Military retirees may be eligible for concurrent retirement and disability pay or combat-related special compensation depending on their circumstances.

✅ SSDI may still be an option
VA disability compensation and Social Security Disability Insurance are separate programs. A 100% P&T rating may also help with expedited SSDI processing.

✅ State benefits
Many states offer major benefits for 100% disabled veterans, including property tax relief, vehicle registration benefits, state park access, hunting and fishing licenses, and more.

But state rules vary.

Do not rely on rumors.
Do not rely on Facebook comments.
Go directly to your state veterans agency or talk with an accredited VSO.

The bottom line:

100% P&T is not just a rating. It may unlock an entire benefit picture for you and your family.

If you recently received 100% P&T, take time to review:

📌 Your VA benefit summary letter
📌 CHAMPVA eligibility
📌 Chapter 35 benefits
📌 VA dental care
📌 State veteran benefits
📌 Student loan discharge options
📌 Commissary/exchange access
📌 Special Monthly Compensation
📌 Benefits for your spouse and dependents

You earned these benefits through service.

But you may still need to apply, enroll, or ask the right questions to receive them.

🇺🇸 Are you 100% P&T and found out about a benefit months or years later? Drop it in the comments — your answer may help another veteran.
🇺🇸 Tag a veteran or spouse who needs to see this.
🇺🇸 Share this so more veterans know what 100% P&T may unlock.
🇺🇸 Follow VFW Post 7534 for more veteran benefit information, resources, and community support.

05/22/2026

Minnesota native, veteran and advocate for women veterans recognition.

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of Diane Carlson Evans, Army nurse, Vietnam veteran, tireless advocate, and a force who forever changed how our Nation recognizes our Veterans.

Like thousands of women during the Vietnam War, Diane answered her Nation’s call with courage and conviction. She served as an Army nurse from 1968–1969 at the 71st Evacuation Hospital in Pleiku and the burn unit of the 36th Evacuation Hospital in Vung Tau, caring for the wounded in the midst of war. Reflecting on her decision to serve, Diane once said, “I just felt it was my responsibility. I thought if my brothers should go, so did I.”

But Diane’s service did not end when she came home.

Diane was a steadfast advocate for Vietnam veterans and she was especially determined to ensure women who served would also be recognized and included in our Nation’s history. Unwilling to let the 265,000 women who served during the Vietnam War be forgotten, Diane founded the Vietnam Women’s Memorial and led the decades-long effort to ensure women’s service would finally be honored and remembered on our Nation’s landscape. Her determination, resilience, and unwavering belief in the importance of recognition inspired generations of veterans and changed history.

Because of Diane, countless women veterans finally received the recognition they so deeply deserved and saw themselves reflected in our Nation’s history for the very first time.

In recognition of her extraordinary leadership and lifelong dedication to military women, the Military Women’s Memorial was honored to present Diane with the Margaret Chase Smith Leadership Award during our 2024 National Women Veterans Recognition Day celebration.

Diane will be deeply missed by the military community and by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

We extend our deepest condolences to Diane’s loved ones, friends, fellow veterans, and the many people whose lives she touched.

It is our privilege to preserve and share Diane’s story of service, ensuring future generations will know and remember her story, her courage, and her unwavering dedication to those who served our Nation.

05/19/2026

🎓 Empowering Women Through Education: Army Women's Foundation Legacy Scholarships 🎓

At the Army Women’s Foundation (AWF), they believe in the transformative power of education to foster personal, professional, and economic growth. That's why they’re proud to offer the AWF Legacy Scholarship Program, supporting women soldiers—past, present, and their descendants—in their pursuit of higher education.

The scholarships are available in four categories:
Certificate Programs
Community College Coursework
Undergraduate Degrees
Graduate Degrees

These scholarships provide financial support for tuition, fees, books, and room & board (when applicable) at accredited institutions. Scholarships are awarded based on merit, academic potential, community service, financial need, and a personal essay.

💡 STEM Focus: We recognize the growing demand for skilled professionals in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). The U.S. Department of Commerce reports that STEM jobs are growing at 17%—nearly double the rate of other occupations. Through our scholarship program, we offer STEM-focused grants to help cultivate the next generation of innovators.

🚨 Apply Today for 2026! 🚨

Eligibility:
Must be a woman who has served honorably in the U.S. Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard, or the lineal descendant of a woman who has.
Scholarships are available for Certificate, Community College, Undergraduate, and Graduate levels.
Specific GPA and credit hour requirements apply.

📜 Named Scholarships: We’re proud to offer specialized awards in honor of extraordinary women in the Army, such as:

The M.M. Costello Scholarship (Healthcare-focused, $3,000)

The Professional Contract Services Scholarship for Disabled Veterans (Two $5,000 scholarships)

The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion Legacy Scholarship (Honoring women of color, $2,500)

The LTC Nancy Porr Scholarship (Nursing and healthcare-focused, $2,000)

The AWF Legacy Scholarship Program is more than just financial aid—it’s about honoring the legacy of service and ensuring that women veterans and their families have the tools they need to succeed.

🔗 Learn More & Apply Now! - https://lnkd.in/eYXFJZ49

Don't miss this opportunity to support your educational journey while honoring the legacy of those who served before you.

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