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
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 |
| Mary Westmoreland | Westchester | ||
| Karen Saffari | Suffolk | 8/1/2023 | 7/31/2027 |
| Sue Magaletta | Saratoga | 6/21/2024 | 6/20/2028 |
| 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.