Community: YWCA supports female veterans

Officials with the YWCA of Glendale continue making women in the military a priority.

An inaugural runway luncheon, with the theme “We Carry On,” will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 14 at the YWCA, 735 E. Lexington Drive.

Female veterans and professional models will showcase on the runway a workforce wardrobe for military women reintegrating into civilian life. Also planned is a live auction that will raise funds for the YWCA’s Focus on Female Veterans programs and services.

White House/Black Market will be showing its holiday collection under the theme “Wear What Works.” Toni Brooks, a fashion stylist and Army veteran, will coordinate the outfits while Makeovers That Matter will do the models’ hair. Brooks’ clothing line, bRloft, will be on display and available for purchase.

The cost is $75. To purchase tickets or for sponsorship opportunities, visit glendaleywca.org/support-us/ or contact Virginia Ruiz at (818) 242-4155, Ext. 221. Complimentary valet parking will be provided.

Across the country,, there are more than 2 million female veterans and active-duty service members, with the highest concentration in California, according to recent statistics provided by YWCA officials.

Some devastating statistics show that female veterans are three times more likely to commit suicide, twice as likely to experience sexual harassment or assault and more than twice as likely to be unemployed as their male counterparts.

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JOYCE RUDOLPH can be contacted at rudolphjoyce10@gmail.com.