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Detroit Nonprofit Uses Dog Tags to Tell Others of Service by Women Military Veterans

On Tuesday, the Motown Women Veterans Association began selling military-style dog tags in Mount Vernon, New York, to honor women veterans and raise funds for a Detroit-area homeless shelter for female veterans and their children.
Founder Alexis Derriso, who enlisted in the Army in 1980, launched the initiative to bring women veterans "out of isolation" after experiencing public invisibility despite her six years of military service handling administrative duties.
Produced by LogoTags in Mount Vernon, the $15 metal tags bear the names of four military branches. About 2,000 have been sold so far, and Derriso said the organization aims to sell 1 million.
Veterans like Anitra Grant and Susan McCain say the program provides needed recognition; many women face continued skepticism about their service. McCain noted that finally owning her veteran status was "very empowering" to her.
Women now comprise about 17% of active duty personnel and more than 21% of National Guard or reserves, a significant increase since 1948 when service was restricted to 2% of members in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.

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