Changes and Challenges: Women in Today's Military

Moderated by Stacey Baca of ABC 7 News, this distinguished panel discussed the important issues facing female veterans in today's military. Sponsored by Easter Seals, Inc with additional support from Chicago Foundation for Women. 

As the number of women serving in the military continues to grow, their roles are also evolving, as are the ways that the military and Veterans Administration address their service. The panel discussed some of the issues facing female veterans, including their roles in today's combat operations, military sexual trauma, and their transition and reintegration into civilian society.

ERICA BORGGREN was appointed Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs by Governor Pat Quinn on August 5, 2011. As the Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA), she created a new Women Veterans Program to address the issue that women veterans do not self-identify as military veterans like their male counterparts, resulting in missed veteran benefits and services.

An Illinois native and U.S. Army veteran, Borggren served as a senior staff member for Army Gen.David H. Petraeus. Borggren was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the Bronze Star, as well as the Joint Service Achievement and Iraq Campaign Medals. Following her graduation as valedictorian from West Point, she was designated as a Rhodes Scholar and the recipient of a Truman Scholarship. She later earned a master's degree in comparative social policy from Oxford University.

DR. REBECCA J. HANNAGAN joined the faculty of Political Science at Northern Illinois University (NIU) in 2006 and became an Associate of Women's Studies and an Associate of the Center for the Study of Family Violence and Sexual Assault in 2010. She specializes in the biological underpinnings of political attitudes and behavior with particular focus on gender differences.

Dr. Hannagan's research includes a 2011 study with Holly Arrow, Ph.D: "Reengineering Gender Relations in Modern Militaries: An Evolutionary Perspective." She is currently a Visiting Associate Professor at Portland (OR) State University where gathered data from service women regarding their experiences, as well as organized campus events around the issue of Military Sexual Assault. Her research has been published in Political Behavior, Perspectives on Politics, PS: Political Science and Politics, and other journals and edited volumes. At NIU she teaches courses in Political Psychology, Biopolitics, and American Government.

KIMBERLY MITCHELL serves as the Deputy Director of the Dixon Center. Her 17 years of service in the U.S. Navy included a commission as a Surface Warfare Officer, service aboard several surface Navy combatant warships, and multiple shore tours in Washington, D.C. Her last active duty assignment was as Deputy Director for the Office of Warrior and Family Support in the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The Dixon Center is a clearinghouse for collaboration, communication, sharing lessons learned, and innovative solutions delivered locally for all who serve and have served in the U.S. military. It serves as a coordinating agent for the myriad of entities and individuals supporting active military and veterans, and their families, and families of our fallen during transition and reintegration.