Group of women at a table looking at a woman in front of a white board

Women Veterans Advisory Committee

Women Veterans Advisory Committee

Governance

Section 20, New York State Veterans’ Services Law: 

The committee shall:

(a) support and assist the division of veterans’ services and the women veterans coordinator pursuant to section three hundred sixty-one-b of this article in:

(i) locating, educating and advocating for all women veterans in this state;

(ii) identifying the unique needs of women veterans;

(iii) conducting outreach and education through various means, including, without limitation, the organization of statewide women veterans events, the promotion of benefits and health care for women veterans and the development of programs that inform students, business leaders and educators about the important role women play in the armed forces of the United States;

(iv) educating women veterans as to benefits and programs that are available to them;

(v) at least annually, making such recommendations as may be deemed necessary or advisable to the governor, the state legislature, the office of the director of the division of veterans’ services and such other offices of this state as may be appropriate;

(vi) making information available regarding job and career opportunities;

(vii) providing outreach regarding available resources for veterans with a qualifying condition as defined in section three hundred fifty of this article; and

(viii) advocating on behalf of women veterans to ensure that the programs and policies of this state and of the United States department of veterans’ affairs remain open to women and mindful of the elements of the experience of a veteran that are unique to women.

Contact Information

518-474-6114

[email protected]

Purpose and Reports

To provide guidance to the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services in developing and enacting policies and programs to best serve the Women Veterans of New York State. This Committee shall provide a report of their work and recommendations at least annually.

Board Membership

Current Board Members: Governor’s Seats 

Member 

County 

Last Appointed 

Current Term Expires 

Nneka Bell

Monroe

12/1/2022

11/30/2026

Lessie Branch, PhD

Westchester

2/14/2023

2/13/2027

VACANT

 

 

 

Karen Saffari

Suffolk

8/1/2023

7/31/2027

VACANT

 

 

 

Morgan Woodson

Niagara

9/21/2022

9/20/2026

 

Current Board Members: Statutory and Ex-officio 

Member 

Statutory Sponsor 

Last Appointed 

Current Term Expires 

VACANT

Temporary President of the Senate (divine)

 

 

VACANT

Temporary President of the Senate (divine)

 

 

VACANT

Speaker of the Assembly (divine)

 

 

VACANT

Speaker of the Assembly (divine)

 

 

VACANT

Minority Leader of the Senate (divine)

 

 

Donna Kestner

Minority Leader of the Assembly (divine)

4/14/2023

4/13/2027

Compensation

Members of the Women Veterans Advisory Committee serve on a volunteer basis. They can, however, receive reimbursement from the State for approved expenses incurred in the commission of their duties (e.g., approved travel costs).

 

No fiscal expenses have been incurred this fiscal year as the Committee has not yet met and none are expected to be incurred in the next fiscal year as these meetings are expected to be virtual.

Meeting Minutes and Agendas

Board Members Qualifications