DVS Farmington-Based Veterans Service Officer Selected as One of 27 Women Veterans For a National VA Campaign Honoring Women Veteran Trailblazers

By NMDVS

SANTA FE–New Mexico Department of Veterans Services (DVS) Farmington-based veterans service officer Beverly Charley has been selected as one of 27 women veterans from across the country featured in a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national campaign celebrating Women’s History Month.

The women are highlighted in 2021 Trailblazers: Women Veterans Leading the Way, a campaign by VA’s Center for Women Veterans (CWV) honoring women the VA considers as trailblazers for their actions during and after their military service.

 

According to the CWV, the campaign showcases the impact these women have made on a single event or action or demonstrated over time in the areas of education, employment, entrepreneurship, homelessness, law, or mental health and wellness.

 

Ms. Charley is honored as one of the driving forces behind Operation Stand Down/Project Hand-Up, an event for homeless veterans in Farmington she helped organize in 2012 to provide clothing, a hot meal, housing assistance, counseling, and other services for homeless veterans. It is now an annual event in late October/early November.

 

“I am beyond honored,” said Ms. Charley, who was born and raised in the Farmington/Four Corners area. “I am deeply humbled and grateful to receive the trailblazer award with all these amazing women.  I look forward to what other doors God is opening for me!!”

 

The campaign also honors Ms. Charley’s 14-years of honorable service in the U.S. Army, who completed her service as a sergeant, and mentions her additional role at DVS as the agency’s tribal liaison tasked with working with the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department on Native American issues.

 

“The entire DVS family is absolutely thrilled for Beverly,” said a beaming DVS Secretary Sonya L. Smith. “I want to thank the Center for Women Veterans for recognizing what we all know about her—she is a tireless worker who is dedicated to helping veterans and their families in the Four Corners area. We are proud and honored to have Beverly here at DVS.”

 

For more information on VA’s Center for Women Veterans 2021 Trailblazers: Women Veterans Leading the Way campaign, and a look at the 27 honorees: https://www.va.gov/womenvet/cwv/trailblazers2021.asp