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Dakota Midday: Women Veterans

Kealey Bultena
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SDPB
Women who served in the military gather in Sioux Falls.

South Dakota has an estimated 5,500 women veterans, and VA officials are working to connect them with benefits and health care. Some women who served in the military don’t realize they have access to health services tailored to military members. An annual conference this month in Sioux Falls helps them meet other women veterans.

Cyndi Ault-Schmitz shares her experience as a woman who served in the US Army in the late-1970s. Charlotte McGrath is the Women Veterans Program Manager in Sioux Falls; she talks about the way the military used to be, how it is now, and what Veterans Affairs program try to do to help women after their time in the service is finished. 

Follow this link to view the Sioux Falls website aimed at connecting women service members with benefits and options available through the VA: http://www.siouxfalls.va.gov/services/women

Credit Kealey Bultena / SDPB
/
SDPB
Cynthia Ault-Schmitz, in red, sits with other women veterans at at annual conference in Sioux Falls.

Kealey Bultena grew up in South Dakota, where her grandparents took advantage of the state’s agriculture at nap time, tricking her into car rides to “go see cows.” Rarely did she stay awake long enough to see the livestock, but now she writes stories about the animals – and the legislature and education and much more. Kealey worked in television for four years while attending the University of South Dakota. She started interning with South Dakota Public Broadcasting in September 2010 and accepted a position with television in 2011. Now Kealey is the radio news producer stationed in Sioux Falls. As a multi-media journalist, Kealey prides herself on the diversity of the stories she tells and the impact her work has on people across the state. Kealey is always searching for new ideas. Let her know of a great story! Find her on Facebook and twitter (@KealeySDPB).