ODVS to host Women Veterans Forum March 27

As a highlight of its monthlong effort to recognize outstanding women of service during Women’s History Month, the Ohio Department of Veterans Services (ODVS) will host an Ohio Women Veterans Forum, Sharing Our Stories. This event will take place Wednesday, March 27 at noon in the Lobby Hearing Room of the James A. Rhodes Tower in downtown Columbus (30 E. Broad St.).

The public is welcome and encouraged to attend this free lunchtime program, which carries a format similar to last year's event and will include an introduction from Kathleen Madden, Director of the Ohio Department of Administrative Services. Attendees who don't have state employee access to the building must use the main entrance off of East Broad Street and check in with security once inside.

ODVS Director Deborah Ashenhurst – a retired Major General with 37 years of service in the U.S. Army – will moderate the discussion, which will center around the panelists’ military service, leadership and how they have applied the principles learned in the U.S. Armed Forces to their personal and professional lives.

The three panelists are:

• Lisa Martinez, Marine Corps veteran, Hearing Supervisor, Ohio Department of Job & Family Services;

• Jackie Masters, Army veteran, Payroll Administrator, Ohio Department of Administrative Services; and

• Tiffany Meeks, Army veteran, State Highway Patrol Lieutenant, Ohio Department of Public Safety.

This event is expected to last approximately one hour.

Note: Ohio is home to approximately 67,000 women veterans. Throughout the month, ODVS has produced daily posts that honor women of service on its official Facebook page.

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