D.C. to Host the 5th Annual Ms. Veteran America Competition

WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 6, 2016 – Twenty-five finalists for Ms. Veteran America 2016 are currently preparing to step on the stage at Sidney Harmon Hall in Washington, D.C. on October 9th to compete for the coveted title and crown. These 25 women have competed against hundreds of contestants in regional competitions across the country to be the one to proudly wear the crown and to tell the story of Ms. Veteran America and its mission to end homelessness among women veterans.

An estimated 55,000 women veterans are homeless in the United States. These women take an oath to defend our country, only to return home from war to not have proper assistance in place to help make the transition from combat hero to everyday civilian. The Ms. Veteran America competition is helping to change this statistic.

Five years ago, Ms. Veteran America was established to give a national platform to Final Salute, Inc. – a national nonprofit organization that assists homeless women veterans and their children to find suitable housing and to prepare for the workforce. Ms. Veteran America honors the women beyond the uniform. Not only have these women given to our country, but also they have given of their time, their resources, and have helped change the topic of discussion that encompasses women veterans. Women veterans are currently the fastest growing homeless population in the US.

Jas Boothe (CNN Hero and Oprah Winfrey Standing Ovation Recipient) is the founder of Ms. Veteran America and Final Salute, Inc. She was prompted to start Final Salute, Inc. and bring attention to the fastest growing homeless demographic in America, women veterans, when she was made aware that no other resources existed for them and their children. Jas was homeless in 2005-2006, due to Hurricane Katrina and cancer. No resources existed to help her during that challenging time. Boothe set out to make changes.

"These women are mothers, daughters, wives, sisters, service members, and advocates. You will witness them elegantly walk the stage in an evening gown, perform a talent, tell their military story, and express why they give back. Even a few of these veterans are disabled – physically and emotionally, but that doesn’t prevent them from fighting to change the discussion around homeless women veterans," Major Boothe notes.

The 2016 Ms. Veteran America competition Master of Ceremonies and Celebrity Co-Host is actor Lamman Rucker – a DC native – of the new hit series “Greenleaf” on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). The Mistress of Ceremonies is Marissa Strock, Purple Heart Recipient, Combat Disabled Veteran, Glamputee and comedian.

Special video presentations by GEN (ret) Ann Dunwoody, the first female 4 Star General in the history of the United States Military and LTG (ret) Patricia Horoho, the first female Nurse Corps Officer to hold the positions of U.S. Army Surgeon General and the Commanding General of U.S. Army Medical Command, will be shown to attendees.

The 2016 Ms. Veteran America competition will be held October 9th at 7:00pm at Sidney Harman Hall in Washington, DC. Event tickets may be purchased at http://MVA2016.eventbrite.com.

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About Ms. Veteran America
The Ms. Veteran American competition highlights more than the strength, courage and sacrifice of our nation’s military women – it also reminds us that these women are mothers, daughter, sisters and wives. Ms. Veteran America is also a role model, teaching and empowering young women and girls to support, inspire and uplift one another. The Ms. Veteran America competition has assisted Final Salute Inc. in raising over $1.7 million to combat homelessness among women veterans. www.ms.veteranamerica.org

About Final Salute, Inc.
Final Salute, Inc. is a national nonprofit organization that was formed in 2010 to assist homeless women veterans and their children. Final Salute, Inc. has assisted over 2,000 women veterans and children in over 30 states and territories by providing safe and suitable transitional housing, emergency financial assistance and career transition support. www.finalsaluteinc.org

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This release was published on openPR.