I Am Not Invisible

Gwendolyn Yvette Powell, United State Navy Veteran (1990-2007) Hospital Corpsman (Pharmacy Tech)

I grew up in Richmond, Kentucky, knowing since the age of 14 I would join the military after high school. I wanted to answer President Kennedy’s call of “ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.” After retiring from the military in December 2014, I once again decided to use my time and efforts to help the same Veterans I served with. I started working at the Lexington VA Health Care System in 2015, where I was enrolled and started receiving health care.

Transitioning from the military to civilian world can be a daunting endeavor. The Lexington VA Health Care System made it easier for me. Soon after retiring, I came to the Lexington VA Health Administration Service with my documents in tow. The staff there quickly enrolled me, gave me my VA identification card and scheduled an appointment in Primary Care. Since my enrollment I have been seen in the Women’s Veteran clinic, Audiology, Optometry, Neurology, Mental Health, G.I. Clinic, Nutrition and Food Service and more.

Women still struggle to be seen as equals in the military, and that extends to women Veterans. An unfortunate result of that struggle is some Women Veterans do not identify as Veterans. That’s why we ask, “did you serve?”, not “are you a Veteran?” I have never had any employee involved in my care doubt my Veteran status, or assume I wasn’t the Veteran. It has been the opposite -- one staff member even once stated I was a unicorn, as female Marines are rare. The staff have taken care of my health and treated me with the utmost respect. Women Veterans health care has grown, not just at the Lexington VA, but across the entire nation. Women are the fastest growing group within the Veteran population. Lexington VA has programs geared to women in Nutrition and Food Service, Geriatrics, Podiatry, Whole Health, Audiology, Military Sexual Trauma (MST), Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Service.

As an employee in Public Affairs, I have had the opportunity to work with most departments to create awareness of various programs for Veterans. Some programs I even took part in for my own care. Being on committees and assisting with communication is vital to get Veterans involved in their own care. I have been able to be a unique voice at the Lexington VA, not just as a Public Affairs Specialist, but as a Veteran. The I Am Not Invisible campaign highlighted Women Veterans and how they can be overlooked. It was a nationwide project and Lexington VA took part. Altogether 32 women Veterans participated from the Lexington VA service area. This project shows that woman Veterans, like me, are here and we will be seen.

If you are a women Veteran and are interested in receiving care at the Lexington VA, contact Jimalee Ross, (859) 233-4511 ext. 3888.

Anna Mills

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Candace Woods