Military women hold symposium for support

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Lt. Cmdr. Valerie Riege, right, with the Pharmacy Department of U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, shares advice with an audience of more than 300 female Marines and sailors gathered at the Camp Foster Theater on Thursday for the daylong Sister to Sister Women’s Symposium.


Military women hold symposium for support
By Cindy Fisher, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Sunday, February1, 2009

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — More than 300 Navy and Marine Corps women here heard experts talk Thursday about sexual-assault awareness, women’s health issues, post-traumatic stress disorder, family advocacy and other support programs.

The daylong seminar at the Camp Foster Theater, the "Sister to Sister Women’s Symposium," was hosted by Navy and Marine Corps sexual-assault response coordinators.

It was also an opportunity for women from different units to network and learn from each other, said Marine Capt. Sally Falco, one of the symposium’s coordinators. Civilian attire was encouraged.

"It’s not about rank," Navy Lt. Elizabeth Drake, another coordinator, explained. "It’s because we’re females in the military, and we need to support each other."

The training was a big hit with Cpl. Dana Weissinger, 22, of Marine Wing Support Squadron 17, who has 2½ years in the Corps.


Rest of article at: http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=60372