Homeless Women Veterans - Launched Nov. 23, 2015 - Full multimedia experience: audio, stills, text and or video: Go to zReportage.com to see more - Women veterans are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population in the United States and are four times more likely to become homeless than civilian women. Women who have survived Military Sexual Trauma are the most hidden population of homeless women and often flounder in unsafe relationships, live in their cars or endure drug-infested motels to avoid shelters or the street. Although the Pentagon recently paved the way for women to serve in combat positions, the US Military has a long way to go. Women are under-represented in the upper ranks and many who signed up for a military career are getting out due to dashed hopes of career advancement and high levels of harassment and sexual assault. Women who courageously served their country in Iraq and Afghanistan have arrived home with healthcare issues including Military Sexual Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, to scattered families, jobs that no longer exist, an impotent Department of Veteran's Affairs and to a nation who favors their male counterparts. The challenges for women veterans are unique and difficult to address, especially when programs for vets seldom meet the needs of mothers and many homeless women vets happen to be single parents.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Oct. 12, 2014 - Leesburg, Virginia, U.S. - LIZ LURAS was raped three times during her military career and received a personality disorder discharge. She has struggled with the ramifications of her discharge and has found it difficult to find a job and has had stints of homelessness.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Oct. 12, 2014 - Leesburg, Virginia, U.S. - LIZ LURAS was raped three times during her military career and received a personality disorder discharge. Liz has become an advocate for her military sisters.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Oct. 12, 2014 - Leesburg, Virginia, U.S. - LIZ LURAS competed in the Ms. Veteran America pageant and used the opportunity to share her story with the other contestants. The pageant officials forbade her to talk about her military sexual trauma during the event. She was raped three times during her military career and received a personality disorder discharge.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Nov. 29, 2014 - Los Angeles, California, U.S. - DEBRA FILTER joined the US Army in 1978 and went through boot camp at Fort Ord, Georgia. In those days, the women trained just like the men. Her drill sergeants were Viet Nam vets and ''wanted to make sure all the recruits felt a piece of Viet Nam. A lot of it was a ''Full Metal Jacket'' experience,'' she says. Debra and several other women recruits were raped at the party they were forced to attend upon graduation. ''We didn't realize it was for women and that a great many of us were going to be raped.'' ''I wanted to make the military my career. Rape stopped my career, stopped any dreams I ever had.'' Her PTSD festered and Debra eventually left the military with an honorable discharge. Though educated with a Masters Degree, she has been homeless for 10 years and has battled the VA for benefits for 30 years. She says the teardrop tattoo under her eye is a symbol of how the VA tried to kill her. She has been in and out of shelters in LA and now has a housing voucher for a studio apartment in Korea-town in Los Angeles.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Nov. 30, 2014 - Costa Mesa, California, U.S. - Homeless veteran DARLENE MATTHEWS has been living in her car for over two years while she waits for a housing voucher from the VA. She keeps most of her belongings in a storage unit. She has been fighting with the VA for benefits including housing vouchers but has been living in her car in the parking lot of a mortuary next to a graveyard.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Dec. 1, 2014 - Costa Mesa, California, U.S. - Homeless veteran DARLENE MATTHEWS has been living in her car for over two years while she waits for a housing voucher from the VA. She joined the US Army in 1976 and was sent to Fort McLellan, Alabama. ''I was going to join this all women's army and there would be no sexual problems, but I joined and there were sexual problems.'' She was beyond horrified when she discovered that it wasn't a safe place and instead full of ''illegal punishments and all this sexual stuff. The whole atmosphere was abusive.'' Her life spiraled down after she got out of the military and found herself very depressed. She joined the military to escape a chaotic, abusive home life and was forced back into it when she was discharged. ''It's like being in a fun house and every door gets slammed in your face every time you try to leave. I feel like giving up sometimes, and nobody would care.''
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 24, 2015 - Coatesville, Pennsylvania, U.S. - US Army veteran WILMA M. HERNDON, watches TV in her room at the Mary Walker House for homeless women veterans in Coatesville, PA. She was married to another soldier who beat and sexually assaulted her. Wilma confided in her 1st Sergeant, who did nothing to stop her abuser so she turned to drugs and drinking to feel better.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 24, 2015 - Coatesville, Pennsylvania, U.S. - While in boot camp, US Air Force veteran, MARGUERITE BROUSSEAU-SAWYER, survived a brutal rape by her training instructor (TI) who told her 'I'm the TI and I can do whatever I want to you.' She believed him, (she says 15 women committed suicide under his command and she knew two of them). Later an Airman came into her room and drugged her soup. Her friends intervened and when she was taken to the hospital a nurse found barbiturates in her system. Her 1st Sgt told her not to talk about it and threatened her with disciplinary action so she stayed silent. 'That was hard to get over and I had anger issues from it. I was afraid no one would believe me.' Marguerite got out after four years and became obsessed with her sexual assaults. 'Would have, could have, should have, I could have done something. Those negative thoughts are what got me here. After my suicide attempt, there wasn't another way to live my life. Because I got raped and someone violated me, I had stopped caring about myself. No work, no rent. I was at a friend's and on the streets. At the VA in Hampton, VA, she was told 'We can't do anything for you even though you're homeless.
© March 24, 2015 - Coatesville, Pennsylvania, U.S. - While in boot camp, US Air Force veteran, MARGUERITE BROUSSEAU-SAWYER, survived a brutal rape by her training instructor (TI who told her 'I'm the TI and I can do whatever I want to you.' She believed him, (she says 15 women committed suicide under his command and she knew two of them. Later an Airman came into her room and drugged her soup. Her friends intervened and when she was taken to the hospital a nurse found barbiturates in her system. Her 1st Sgt told her not to talk about it and threatened her with disciplinary action so she stayed silent. 'That was hard to get over and I had anger issues from it. I was afraid no one would believe me.' Marguerite got out after four years and became obsessed with her sexual assaults. 'Would have, could have, should have, I could have done something. Those negative thoughts are what got me here. After my suicide attempt, there wasn't another way to live my life. Because I got raped and someone violated me, I had stopped caring about myself. No work, no rent. I was at a friend's and on the streets. At the VA in Hampton, VA, she was told 'We can't do anything for you even though you're homeless.
April 4, 2015 - San Diego, California, U.S. - When PAULA ANDERSON told her US Army commander that she had been drugged and raped by a fellow soldier, she was shipped off to Korea. Her US Army career lasted six years but her military sexual trauma has followed her for 20 years. After spending 17 months in jail, she has been homeless since February 2015. 'In the little bit of time I've been homeless it takes the good out of me. I don't care how I look. I think I look ugly. Pretty soon you use drugs to comfort yourself. That's part of being homeless.' She says she has made bad choices but started to develop when she watched Oprah. 'When you are older you wonder how did I get here? And then you start putting the puzzle together.' Paula came to the San Diego Veteran's Village Stand Down to meet friends and seek services. At night, she sleeps in her car in a church parking lot. 'The military taught us how to survive on the streets. They taught us to camp and survive the elements,' she added.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
April 9, 2015 - Costa Mesa, California, U.S. - Homeless veteran DARLENE MATTHEWS has been living in her car for over two years while she waits for a housing voucher from the VA.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Apr 11, 2015 - Long Beach, California, U.S. - When KAREN SCOTT joined the US Army in 1985, she was a lithe, slender and attractive young woman who attended and finished flight school and had a bright future in telecommunications and arial observation. Instead, she became a target for sexual assault and over the next seven years was raped several times and endured a steady campaign of innuendoes, threats, harassment and sexual badgering. At her duty station in Korea she tried to get help and was told by her commander ''I advise you to shut up, this will end your career and you will get hurt again.'' In Egypt she was grabbed and dragged into a tent on the way to the chow hall. ''I couldn't fight him off. I wasn't right after that. I was pretty much screwed after that, she said. Soon after, she was exposed to chemical weapons, became ill but soon went back to work. Later on she developed Graves Disease, a malfunction in the body's disease fighting immune system. Things got better for Karen and she was stationed in Georgia flying second seat in a Mohawk. She enjoyed attending and graduating from flight school and started feeling better about the military. Then she started getting sick again and everything went downhill from there. She went to talk to her company commander about her orders and he locked her up for eight weeks. She was told by the psychiatrist that she was a ''stupid, messed up troublemaker and we're getting rid of you.'' Eventually, her Graves Disease diagnosis ignored, she was given a personality disorder discharge. ''They distorted my career and health with irreversible conditions'' said Karen. She found herself homeless after her military service and has sought help through the VA for medical, mental health services and shelter that she could afford. Karen lived in her car near a quarry for a while but now lives in Section 8 housing.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Apr 11, 2015 - Long Beach, California, U.S. - When KAREN SCOTT joined the US Army in 1985, she was a lithe, slender and attractive young woman who attended and finished flight school and had a bright future in telecommunications and arial observation. Instead, she became a target for sexual assault and over the next seven years was raped several times and endured a steady campaign of innuendoes, threats, harassment and sexual badgering.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
May 5, 2015 - Los Angeles, California, U.S. - SANDRA SHERMAN, 51, had only been in the US Army for a few weeks when she was drugged and raped at a party that she attended with her female buddies from basic training. She never reported the assault to her command. 'It was well known if you reported rape you would be killed or chaptered out with a less than honorable discharge. To this day if I have a male supervisor, I am apprehensive, nervous and afraid,' she says. After that, a fellow soldier raped her at her next duty station in Ft. Meade, MD. 'These were supposed to be men who were my brothers. It is a silent stigma that if you go into the military and you're female, that you expect to be raped. You're just expected to go on and do your job,' she added. After seven years she got out of the Army. 'I didn't realize how traumatized I was until it affected me on a daily basis and I would hallucinate. I was emotionally numb, no treatment for years and couldn't work. I couldn't ignore my feelings anymore.' Her downward spiral continued into homelessness. Sandra was referred to Naomi House when she called the Los Angeles VA crisis line. Naomi House is located in Los Angeles and is a transitional housing for homeless women veteran's sponsored by the Salvation Army with help from the VA.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/ZUMA Wire
May 5, 2015 - Los Angeles, California, U.S. - GLENDY GOLDEN, 58, enlisted in the US Army to escape a sexually abusive home life. The army she says, ''was a way out. There is no way it was ever a solution but it was a way out.'' She was sexually assaulted several times during her 18 month military career and when she told her chaplain about it, he simply sent her to medical where she says, they tied her down and beat her. This is the second time she has been homeless and is sheltering at the Salvation Army's Naomi House in Los Angeles.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
May 20, 2015 - Los Angeles, California, U.S. - SANDRA SHERMAN, 51, left, salutes the color guard at the Goodwill Industries Los Angeles stand-down, an event for local homeless veterans that gives them access to medical and housing services and a chance to replenish. She had only been in the US Army for a few weeks when she was drugged and raped at a party that she attended with her female buddies from basic training. She never reported the assault to her command.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
May 22, 2015 - Los Angeles, California, U.S. - After high school, DIEDRA D. ROACH, 50, joined the US Army and at first really enjoyed it. It stopped feeling like a vacation when she tried to earn her first promotion and found out she would be expected to 'do more'. Her supervisor gave her an address with a date and time to show up. She looks back at this first cocktail party and realized the drinks were spiked. Diedra fought back the first time but was ordered to 'do as you
© May 22, 2015 - Los Angeles, California, U.S. - After high school, DIEDRA D. ROACH, 50, joined the US Army and at first really enjoyed it. It stopped feeling like a vacation when she tried to earn her first promotion and found out she would be expected to 'do more'. Her supervisor gave her an address with a date and time to show up. She looks back at this first cocktail party and realized the drinks were spiked. Diedra fought back the first time but was ordered to 'do as you
May 25, 2015 - Pomona, California, U.S - MELISSA A. RAMON recites the Pledge of Allegiance with other veterans at the ''4th Annual Heroes in the Shadows, San Gabriel Valley Veterans Stand Down''. The purpose of a stand-down is to offer a safe retreat for homeless veterans. Melissa spent nine years in the US Air Force where she endured military sexual trauma at the hands of her training instructor and fellow airmen. ''You see stripes and think it's power and authority. I went along with it because it was my career. Whatever way he looked at it, it was his word against mine,' she said. Melissa suffers from Military Sexual Trauma and PTSD and has been homeless off and on since her discharge. She has sought help from the VA and several Veteran NGO's. 'They keep denying us, denying the claims and make us jump through hoops and even lose our paperwork. It's like they are trying to kill us with what they put us through, 'she said.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
May 25, 2015 - Pomona, California, U.S - MELISSA A. RAMON and her son move into a motel she calls ''The Jungle.'' Melissa spent nine years in the US Air Force where she endured military sexual trauma at the hands of her training instructor and fellow airmen. She has sought help from the VA and several Veteran NGO's.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
May 26, 2015 - Pomona, California, U.S - MELISSA A. RAMON spent nine years in the US Air Force where she endured military sexual trauma at the hands of her training instructor and fellow airmen.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
May 28, 2015 - Pomona, California, U.S - While MELISSA A. RAMON gets ready to to go to the VA, her US Air Force uniform hangs in the closet of a motel she calls ''The Jungle.'' Melissa spent nine years in the US Air Force where she endured military sexual trauma at the hands of her training instructor and fellow airmen. Melissa suffers from Military Sexual Trauma and PTSD and has been homeless off and on since her discharge.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
June 2, 2015 - Pomona, California, U.S - MELISSA A. RAMON walks past a man waiting to sell drugs outside her room at a motel she calls ''The Jungle.'' Melissa spent nine years in the US Air Force where she endured military sexual trauma at the hands of her training instructor and fellow airmen.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
June 3, 2015 - Pomona, California, U.S - MELISSA A. RAMON and SAM rest at her grandmother's grave after his 8th grade graduation ceremony. Melissa spent nine years in the US Air Force where she endured military sexual trauma at the hands of her training instructor and fellow airmen.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
June 3, 2015 - Pomona, California, U.S - MELISSA A. RAMON attempts to tie a knot in Sam's tie in preparation for his 8th grade graduation ceremony. Melissa spent nine years in the US Air Force where she endured military sexual trauma at the hands of her training instructor and fellow airmen.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
June 3, 2015 - Pomona, California, U.S - MELISSA A. RAMON cheers for Sam during his 8th grade graduation ceremony. Melissa spent nine years in the US Air Force where she endured military sexual trauma at the hands of her training instructor and fellow airmen.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
June 4, 2015 - Pomona, California, U.S - MELISSA A. RAMON clutches her US Air Force uniform under the watchful eyes of her dog ''Princess.'' ''That life is dead to me,'' she said. Melissa spent nine years in the US Air Force where she endured military sexual trauma at the hands of her training instructor and fellow airmen.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
June 4, 2015 - Pomona, California, U.S - MELISSA A. RAMON spent nine years in the US Air Force where she endured military sexual trauma at the hands of her training instructor and fellow airmen.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
June 9, 2015 - Pomona, California, U.S - MELISSA A. RAMON is on a cocktail of pills prescribed by her doctors at the VA. Melissa spent nine years in the US Air Force where she endured military sexual trauma at the hands of her training instructor and fellow airmen.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
June 12, 2015 - Los Angeles, California, U.S - US Air Force veteran LURAE HORSE was a 19-year-old B-29 bomber mechanic when she was raped by an anonymous member of her squadron. She never reported the brutal sexual assault. ''I just pulled up my pants and went back to work.'' Homeless, she shelters in a corner of a friend's dining room in Paramount, Ca.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
June 12, 2015 - Los Angeles, California, U.S - US Air Force veteran LURAE HORSE was a 19-year-old B-29 bomber mechanic when she was raped by an anonymous member of her squadron. She never reported the brutal sexual assault. ''I just pulled up my pants and went back to work.'' Homeless, she shelters in a corner of a friend's dining room in Paramount, Ca.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
July 18, 2015 - San Diego, California, U.S - Homeless women veterans sleep in women's tents at the San Diego Veteran's Village Stand Down.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
July 19, 2015 - San Diego, California, U.S - In 1979, PATRICIA BUTTS was a young US Army soldier stationed in Ft. Devens, MA. when she witnessed a steady campaign of rape within her unit. At night a sergeant and/or a lieutenant would come in and take a woman to the bathroom. 'You could hear them struggling and screaming and they would come back crying. I would have to go to the bathroom so bad but I was scared to go so I used the bathroom by my bed. At breakfast some girls would have black eyes and they were scared to say anything. I was afraid I was going to be next,' she said. After three years, she could no longer cope with military life and was honorably discharged. Diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, (PTSD) she has been homeless off and on since 1981. 'For me, the homelessness has a lot to do with my PTSD. I've been dealing with this for a long time and it hasn't been easy. I can't get rid of it. I guess it's been my demon and has caused me to drink a lot, and I've tried suicide twice. I'm going to live with it for the rest of my life,' she added. Homeless for the past year, Patricia came to the San Diego Veteran's Village Stand Down to seek housing and was accepted into the substance abuse program at Veterans Village of San Diego. At the stand down, she sits on a cot in the women's tent.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
July 19, 2015 - San Diego, California, United States - When PAULA ANDERSON told her US Army commander that she had been drugged and raped by a fellow soldier, she was shipped off to Korea. Her US Army career lasted six years but her military sexual trauma has followed her for 20 years. After spending 17 months in jail, she has been homeless since February 2015. 'In the little bit of time I've been homeless it takes the good out of me. I don't care how I look. I think I look ugly. Pretty soon you use drugs to comfort yourself. That's part of being homeless.' She says she has made bad choices but started to develop when she watched Oprah. 'When you are older you wonder how did I get here? And then you start putting the puzzle together.' Paula came to the San Diego Veteran's Village Stand Down to meet friends and seek services. At night, she sleeps in her car in a church parking lot. 'The military taught us how to survive on the streets. They taught us to camp and survive the elements,' she added.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
July 19, 2015 - San Diego, California, U.S - At the conclusion of the San Diego homeless veterans stand down sponsored by Veterans Village of San Diego, PAULA ANDERSON, left and PATRICIA BUTTS, right, (man on left is unidentified) carry their belongings in the pouring rain. When Paula Anderson, left, told her US Army commander that she had been drugged and raped by a fellow soldier, she was shipped off to Korea. Her US Army career lasted six years but her military sexual trauma has followed her for 20 years.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
July 21, 2015 - San Diego, California, U.S - ALISHAA DELL, 25, spent five years in the US Navy. 'I am worth so much fucking more than what I got paid to do in the military. I got tired of getting sand kicked in my eyes for doing what I was supposed to do.' She is still not ready to discuss her Military Sexual Trauma, (MST). 'I'm treating all the problems that come with MST without talking about the MST. I'm treating the symptoms and repercussions,' she added. Homeless, she lives off a disability check from the VA and has been couch surfing with friends until she wears out her welcome. Now she lives with a boyfriend she wants to break up with but says she has nowhere else to go and is seeking housing and medical help from the VA. 'They make you jump through hoops to make sure you're serious about getting help. Mainly because services are free and they don't want to spend resources on someone who isn't serious or lying. There are some people who still struggle with their own mental health issues who don't have the capacity to jump through those hoops to get the help they need.'
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
July 21, 2015 - San Diego, California, U.S - ALISHAA DELL, 25, spent five years in the US Navy. 'I am worth so much fucking more than what I got paid to do in the military. I got tired of getting sand kicked in my eyes for doing what I was supposed to do.' She is still not ready to discuss her Military Sexual Trauma, (MST).
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
July 21, 2015 - San Diego, California, U.S - ALISHAA DELL, 25, spent five years in the US Navy. 'I am worth so much fucking more than what I got paid to do in the military. I got tired of getting sand kicked in my eyes for doing what I was supposed to do.' She is still not ready to discuss her Military Sexual Trauma, (MST).
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
July 22, 2015 - Los Angeles, California, U.S - Former US Marine SARAH JENKINS, high on drugs and on the street, accepts a bag of food and water from the National Veterans Foundation outreach van. She says she has a place to stay in Anaheim.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
July 22, 2015 - Los Angeles, California, U.S - Former US Marine SARAH JENKINS, high on drugs and on the street, accepts a bag of food and water from the National Veterans Foundation outreach van. She says she has a place to stay in Anaheim.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Nov. 10, 2014 - Los Angeles, California, U.S. - DEBRA FILTER joined the US Army in 1978 and went through boot camp at Fort Ord, Georgia. In those days, the women trained just like the men did.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
Nov. 30, 2014 - Costa Mesa, California, U.S. - Homeless veteran DARLENE MATTHEWS has been living in her car for over two years while she waits for a housing voucher from the VA. She joined the US Army in 1976 and was sent to Fort McLellan, Alabama. 'I was going to join this all women's army and there would be no sexual problems but I joined and there were sexual problems.'' She was beyond horrified when she discovered that it wasn't a safe place and instead full of ''illegal punishments and all this sexual stuff. The whole atmosphere was abusive.'
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 24, 2015 - Coatesville, Pennsylvania, U.S. - While in boot camp, US Air Force veteran, MARGUERITE BROUSSEAU-SAWYER, left, survived a brutal rape by her training instructor (TI) who told her, 'I'm the TI and I can do whatever I want to you.'
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 24, 2015 - Coatesville, Pennsylvania, U.S. - U.S. Army veteran WILMA M. HERNDON, watches TV in her room at the Mary Walker House for homeless women veterans. She was married to another soldier who beat and sexually assaulted her. Wilma confided in her 1st Sergeant who did nothing to stop her abuser so she turned to drugs and drinking to feel better. Thus beginning her downward spiral to homelessness.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 26, 2015 - Coatesville, Pennsylvania, U.S. - A homeless Army veteran and military sexual trauma survivor talks to SANDY MILLER in the doorway of her room at the VA transitional housing facility, Mary Walker House.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
May 22, 2015 - Los Angeles, California, U.S. - DIEDRA D. ROACH, left, talks to housemate PAULA MOE. After high school, Diedra, 50, joined the US Army and at first really enjoyed it. It stopped feeling like a vacation when she tried to earn her first promotion and found out she would be expected to 'do more.'
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
May 26, 2015 - Pomona, California, U.S. - MELISSA A. RAMON spent nine years in the US Air Force where she endured military sexual trauma at the hands of her training instructor and fellow airmen. 'You see stripes and think it's power and authority. I went along with it because it was my career if I'd have stopped. I had the rules and he didn't.'
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
May 26, 2015 - Pomona, California, U.S. - MELISSA A. RAMON and her son move into a motel she calls 'The Jungle.' Melissa spent nine years in the US Air Force where she endured military sexual trauma at the hands of her training instructor and fellow airmen.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
May 26, 2015 - Pomona, California, U.S. - MELISSA A. RAMON waits in line at the county Housing Authority to pick up a VA sponsored housing voucher so she can move into an apartment. Melissa spent nine years in the US Air Force where she endured military sexual trauma at the hands of her training instructor and fellow airmen.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
May 26, 2015 - Pomona, California, U.S. - MELISSA A. RAMON heads to the pharmacy and the Loma Linda VA. Melissa spent nine years in the US Air Force where she endured military sexual trauma at the hands of her training instructor and fellow airmen.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
June 2, 2015 - Pomona, California, U.S. - At another motel that she calls 'The Jungle', MELISSA A. RAMON nervously waits for an open washing machine. While living in a previous motel, a strange man masturbated in front of her in the laundry room. Melissa spent nine years in the US Air Force where she endured military sexual trauma at the hands of her training instructor and fellow airmen.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
June 3, 2015 - Pomona, California, U.S. - MELISSA A. RAMON kisses Sam after his 8th grade graduation ceremony. Melissa spent nine years in the US Air Force where she endured military sexual trauma at the hands of her training instructor and fellow airmen.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
June 4, 2015 - Pomona, California, U.S. - MELISSA A. RAMON discusses her homelessness with her good friend ISABEL CORDOVA. Melissa spent nine years in the US Air Force where she endured military sexual trauma at the hands of her training instructor and fellow airmen.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
June 6, 2015 - Los Angeles, California, U.S. - Entrance of Naomi House, transitional housing for homeless women veteran's sponsored by the Salvation Army with help from the VA.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
June 10, 2015 - Pomona, California, U.S. - MELISSA A. RAMON and SAM visit Family Solutions/Union Station Homeless Services in the San Gabriel Valley, trying to find safe housing. Their request was denied because they spent one night at a friend's home. Melissa spent nine years in the US Air Force where she endured military sexual trauma at the hands of her training instructor and fellow airmen.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
June 10, 2015 - Pomona, California, U.S. - MELISSA A. RAMON and Sam visit Family Solutions/Union Station Homeless Services in the San Gabriel Valley, trying to find safe housing. Their request was denied because they spent one night at a friend's home. Melissa spent nine years in the US Air Force where she endured military sexual trauma at the hands of her training instructor and fellow airmen.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
June 11, 2015 - Pomona, California, U.S. - MELISSA A. RAMON wakes SAM up to go apartment hunting with their new VA housing voucher. Melissa spent nine years in the US Air Force where she endured military sexual trauma at the hands of her training instructor and fellow airmen.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
June 11, 2015 - Pomona, California, U.S. - MELISSA A. RAMON and SAM go apartment hunting with their new VA housing voucher. Melissa spent nine years in the US Air Force where she endured military sexual trauma at the hands of her training instructor and fellow airmen.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
July 18, 2015 - San Diego, California, U.S. - Homeless women veterans sleep in women's tents at the San Diego Veteran's Village Stand Down.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
July 19, 2015 - San Diego, California, U.S. - When PAULA ANDERSON told her US Army commander that she had been drugged and raped by a fellow soldier, she was shipped off to Korea. Her US Army career lasted six years but her military sexual trauma has followed her for 20 years. After spending 17 months in jail, she has been homeless since February 2015.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
July 21, 2015 - San Diego, California, U.S. - ALISHAA DELL, 25, spent five years in the US Navy. 'I am worth so much fucking more than what I got paid to do in the military. I got tired of getting sand kicked in my eyes for doing what I was supposed to do.' She is still not ready to discuss her Military Sexual Trauma, (MST).
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
July 21, 2015 - San Diego, California, U.S. - ALISHAA DELL, 25, spent five years in the US Navy. â'I am worth so much fucking more than what I got paid to do in the military. I got tired of getting sand kicked in my eyes for doing what I was supposed to do.' She is still not ready to discuss her Military Sexual Trauma, (MST).
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
July 22, 2015 - Los Angeles, California, U.S. - Former US Marine SARAH JENKINS, high on drugs and on the street, accepts a bag of food and water from the National Veterans Foundation outreach van. She says she has a place to stay in Anaheim.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
March 24, 2015 - Coatesville, Pennsylvania, , U.S. - MARGUERITE BROUSSEAU-SAWYER gets a few words of encouragement from Mary Walker House Director SANDRA A. MILLER. While in boot camp, U.S. Air Force veteran, Marguerite Brousseau-Sawyer, survived a brutal rape by her training instructor (TI) who told her, I'm the TI and I can do whatever I want to you.'
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
June 10, 2015 - Pomona, California, U.S. - MELISSA A. RAMON spent nine years in the US Air Force where she endured military sexual trauma at the hands of her training instructor and fellow airmen.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
June 11, 2015 - Pomona, California, U.S. - MELISSA A. RAMON spent nine years in the US Air Force where she endured military sexual trauma at the hands of her training instructor and fellow airmen.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
July 19, 2015 - San Diego, California, U.S. - When PAULA ANDERSON told her US Army commander that she had been drugged and raped by a fellow soldier, she was shipped off to Korea. Her US Army career lasted six years but her military sexual trauma has followed her for 20 years. After spending 17 months in jail, she has been homeless since February 2015.
© Mary F. Calvert/Alexia Foundation/zReportage.com/ZUMA Press
