Often described as the heartland of Florida, Glades County is also known for a significant military presence and a small but proud veteran population. Among the 1,265 former county service members, approximately 128 are female who answered the call to fight for their country during the eras of the Gulf, Vietnam, and Korean wars. And like veterans everywhere, these individuals returned home expecting that the nation they had served would meet their needs with dignity and fairness. Unfortunately, for many of these women, securing proper care has remained an uneven experience. Even more concerning, the federal directive now eliminating the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) threatens to exacerbate these challenges.

Understanding the Unique Needs of Glades County’s Women Veterans
Even if women veterans represent a small portion of the service member community - in Glades County they account for approximately 10% of the local veteran population - their healthcare and support needs are distinct and, in many cases, more complex than those of their male counterparts. Research shows that veterans as a whole carry a heightened risk for chronic ailments, mainly because of their routine exposure to hazardous substances commonly found on Navy ships and other military installations in earlier eras. One notorious example is per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—a class of synthetic compounds widely used in firefighting foam and protective equipment for their incredible resistance to heat, fire, and degradation. However, years of training exercises and emergency responses have allowed these chemicals to seep into soil and groundwater at and around military sites, including the Avon Park Air Force Range, approximately 75 miles from Glades County. Another long-standing concern is asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral once praised for its affordability, fireproofing capabilities, and thermal stability. Because of these properties, asbestos quickly found its way into nearly every military infrastructure during World War II, from engine and boiler rooms to housing, training centers, and barracks, including those at MacDill Air Force Base, a 185-mile drive from Glades County. Both toxic substances have been tied to life-threatening conditions that often do not emerge until years after veterans’ retirement. And while health hazards affect every service member who comes into contact with these contaminants, women are uniquely vulnerable—with mounting research connecting toxic exposure to pregnancy complications, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, premature ovarian failure, and malignancies of the breast, uterus, and ovaries.

In addition to physical illnesses, female vets likewise encounter distinct mental health challenges. Studies indicate that they are more prone to experience conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety—especially those who endured sexual trauma during service. And the consequences of this issue have been stark: women veterans are estimated to be roughly 65% more likely to succumb to suicide than those in the general population. These realities just emphasize that the health needs of this group extend far beyond standard medical care and demand tailored, gender-informed support.

The Call to Sustain Targeted Programs for Women Veterans
Ensuring that female veterans receive the care they need requires attention not only to physical and mental health but also to equity in service delivery. That is why, in 2021, the VA implemented DEI programs to advance equitable treatment across the system, improve workforce training, and recognize the unique needs of historically underserved groups—particularly women. At its core, such measures supported research on gender-specific health concerns, which helped identify gaps in care and guide staff in offering more inclusive services. But just as this endeavor was beginning to yield benefits, a federal directive issued in 2025 mandated the end of DEI in the military. Following this order, the VA started winding down related initiatives by placing nearly 60 employees on paid administrative leave and processing terminations of contracts totaling more than $6.1 million.

While these changes were intended to redirect resources to fundamental services, they have raised important questions about how the specific needs of women veterans—including those in rural communities like Glades County—will continue to be recognized and addressed. Currently, programs such as the Honoring Our PACT Act continue making progress in addressing some of these gaps by providing care and disability benefits to toxic-exposed veterans. In fact, this program has already received nearly three million applications to date—including over 268,000 from Florida—and almost two million have been approved. Yet even with these advances, access to timely screenings, gender-informed healthcare, and specialized support can still be a critical challenge—specifically for women, who have long been encountering disparities in services.

Maintaining attention to these needs demands more than labeling or program names—they require a results-focused approach that prioritizes research, provider training, and outreach tailored to the experiences of women and other minority groups. When the federal government and the VA continue to invest in these measures, policymakers, healthcare providers, and the broader community can help ensure that women veterans and other underserved populations in Glades County and beyond receive the specialized care, recognition, and support they rightfully deserve.

Cristina Johnson serves as a Navy veteran advocate at the Asbestos Ships Organization, a nonprofit that raises awareness of veterans’ exposure to toxic substances.