From the country’s earliest days, women had contributed significantly to the armed forces’ strength—supporting operations, sustaining troops, and, at times, courageously serving in combat roles. Fundamentally, their services were not incidental; even in wartime, they proved integral to military survival and success. And today, that legacy continues in Greenbrier Valley as well as throughout southeastern West Virginia, where numerous women represent a growing but frequently underserved segment of the state’s nearly 105,000 total veteran population. Despite their long-standing role in national defense, many now face mounting physical and mental health challenges following their retirement, which drastically impact their quality of life.
Addressing these hurdles has required more than standard clinical care—it has depended on whether the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) was structured to recognize and respond to women veterans’ distinct needs. That is why, in 2021, the agency formalized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives to reduce persistent disparities in healthcare and to expand access to essential services for underrepresented populations. However, these efforts were discontinued in 2025 by a federal directive, which eliminated more than $6.1 million in related contracts. Although the government has assured that core services will remain a priority, this decision has understandably raised serious concerns about the provision of targeted support in rural areas such as the Greenbrier Valley.
Tackling the Service-Related Burdens Unique to Women
Veterans Military women face myriad challenges that differ immensely from those of their male counterparts, mainly because of service-related experiences and biological factors. True to that, a growing body of research shows that sexual trauma has been alarmingly prevalent among female personnel, with approximately one in three reporting incidents of sexual harassment or assault during active duty. While these harrowing experiences can direly reshape the future, some survivors manage to find their own paths to recovery. Meanwhile, a large number of women vets grapple with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression for extended periods, often reaching a point of being unable to endure the pain any longer. And in these worst cases, many victims tragically choose to end their lives, making their group more prone to suicide by roughly 65% compared to those in the general population.
Besides these psychological issues, female service members also confront the compounding health risks stemming from the hazardous chemicals lurking in the very barracks and equipment, which the armed forces relied on for protection and operations. One notable pollutant that evolved into a public health concern is asbestos, a toxic mineral that caused the deaths of nearly 40 residents in Greenbrier County from 1999 to 2017. Previously praised for its low cost and insulating properties, this material was extensively embedded in World War II naval vessels, aircraft, equipment, and armaments deployed at facilities such as the Greenbrier Bunker in Greenbrier County. However, what wasn’t public data at that time was that inhaling or ingesting asbestos fibers can eventually trigger mesothelioma, a rare yet deadly malignancy that severely affected women in 25% of the total diagnoses.
Likewise, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—a broad class of human-made chemicals—have been ubiquitous in firefighting foams used by troops during training exercises and emergency responses. Although their heat- and water-resistance has enhanced the effectiveness of critical firefighting tools and gear, these compounds have also contributed to widespread pollution at more than 700 military sites nationwide, including McLaughlin Air National Guard Base, located more than 100 miles from the Greenbrier Valley. Unfortunately, for women veterans, exposure to PFAS has made them vulnerable to certain serious illnesses like reproductive tumors, endometriosis, preeclampsia, polycystic ovary syndrome, pregnancy complications, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Without sustained monitoring and coordinated follow-up care, this crisis will remain underidentified and continue to affect women veterans in the Greenbrier Valley and across southeastern West Virginia long after their service ends.
The Future of Women Veterans After the DEI Conclusion
The health challenges facing women veterans in the Greenbrier Valley—and even throughout the country—are not merely medical issues but the result of how veteran care systems are structured and prioritized. For several years, DEI initiatives within the VA helped ensure that provider training, care coordination, and outreach reflected the realities of women’s service experiences—including trauma exposure and long-term health risks. These efforts shaped how effectively those services reached veterans whose needs historically fell outside conventional strategies. However, the government later concluded these efforts, altering the framework through which the needs of female personnel are identified, understood, and addressed—particularly in rural regions such as southeastern West Virginia.
What follows from that shift is a practical question of capacity. Meaningful support for women veterans will now depend less on formal assurances and more on how to provide efficiently without the structures that previously guided equity-focused care. Continued investment in provider education, as well as consistent screening for service-related mental and environmental health risks and intentional outreach to veterans who may otherwise remain unseen, are critical. Also equally important is the living culture within the organization that delivers that care. When women veterans do not feel fully recognized or respected by the system, they are less likely to engage with care even when services are available. As such, it is crucial that government organizations ensure that these individuals are treated with dignity and fully supported during their transition to civilian life. For women who served and now call the Greenbrier Valley and its surrounding regions home, the measure of commitment hinges not on assurances; rather, it is whether the systems designed to support them are equipped to do so effectively.
About the Author
Cristina Johnson serves as a veteran advocate at the Asbestos Ships Organization, a nonprofit that raises awareness of veterans’ exposure to toxic substances.
