I've always said that if women ran the world, there would be no wars. Women seek peace. We are natural nurturers. We look to get along, always focusing on what we have in common, not what tears us apart. Our sensitivity is our greatest strength. Unfortunately, it can also be our greatest weakness, as it can deplete us during times of emotional and physical stress.
So how does a woman veteran -- the most stressed of any of us -- resettle into society when she returns? She's either shut off or exhausted her sensitivity in order to serve and survive. Beyond that, she's put her life on hold and has seen so much that the rest of us can't even imagine. She's not the same person she was before serving. She can't be.
While I can't pretend to fully understand her psyche, I would think she needs to return to what made her strong in the first place -- her womanhood. She needs to re-engage the feminine. Dress like a woman, feel like a woman, express herself as a woman. Embrace her family and loved ones. Most importantly, she has to reopen her heart, mind, body and spirit. The more open your heart, the more you can find and accept support. Women are the first to sacrifice their own well-being in pursuit of caring for others. If ever there was a time to take care of yourself, it's coming back from a war. For me, yoga and meditation is the best way to find calm in the chaos. It centers and grounds you. It reminds you who you are. It re-sensitizes you, so you can reclaim your strength.
We can show our gratitude to these brave women by supporting Fatigues to Fabulous, a national campaign dedicated to raising awareness to the unique issues facing the nearly 2 million women veterans in America today. Benefiting The Society for Women's Health Research and Give An Hour, F2F will have its inaugural event during Fashion Week on Thursday, September 8th at 12:00pm in Lincoln Center's Courtyard.
For our part, DKNYC has designed a commemorative watch for $59.95 that is available for sale now on HSN.com and will be sold on HSN on September 8th. Ten dollars from every watch will go to help these amazing service women in their journey back to their normal lives. It's not enough to just admire them; we need to support them too.
Jennifer Crane: Female Veterans Need Our Support
Stephanie Winston Wolkoff: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Has Taken Center Stage at Lincoln Center
Society for Women's Health Research: Fatigues to Fabulous
Sure Donna Karan hasn't spent time at military facilities, or served "outside the wire" or spent much time having a "heart to heart" with a veteran...and yes, she is making some money off of her watches sold on HSN. But she still committed to doing something for these women. You can call it self-serving, hypocritical whatever; nonetheless because of her support and the support of the other five designers, the F2F event happened, and maybe, just maybe, there will be a impact through the media or blogs like this one...an impact that makes people think and hopefully reach out to help these remarkable women who served their nation.
Therefore, I suggest to you that if we have less conflict in the world we shoudl require everyone who votes for or starts a war to send their child to fight in the said war. I bet THAT would work. Let them have some skin in the game, that way politicians would think long and hard before they start a war.
Lastly, donating a small portion of a watch to women's charity is a self-aggrandizing ploy, not a giving one. Maybe you can use the other "proceeds" to purchase your 6th Hamptons beach home.
OK, so women are more stressed than men? Really?
For our part, DKNYC has designed a commemorative watch for $59.95 that is available for sale now on HSN.com and will be sold on HSN on September 8th.
OK, OK that makes it better! Women's stress will be totally relieved if you buy a crap watch. Good on you DKNYC. You have done so much for women.
At least a soldier has the support and camaraderie of other soldiers. Victims of domestic violence can be equally traumatized, but the trauma happens behind closed doors and all alone.
Some of the commenters here vehemently disagree with you, as they are free to do. The tone of your article struck me as slightly condescending in approaching women who are returning from war with a "here sweetie, put on this dress and do a sun salutation and you'll be right as rain. Don't forget your lipstick!" But I can tell that was not your intent based simply on the fact that you're raising awareness for a great cause. So, condescending tone or not, thank you for what you're doing for the women who serve.
As for your comment about lack of women friends then you are certainly missing out BIG TIME.
As much as I adore my male friends my female friends are FAMILY. THey are so so awesome....I love women and what we share together.I love HOW we listen to each other and cry over things and just get "it" (whatever the topic is)
I have also come across the competitveness women can participate in but only in a professional setting. Wishing you a close encounter and friendship with women.
I am terribly sorry, Donna, but women would start and continue wars just like men do. Look at women like Margaret Thatcher (Falkland wars), Benazir Bhutto (Taliban supporter), Golda Meir (Operation Wrath of God) and be honest about it. Women wage just as terrible, brutal and oppressive wars.
And then you end your 'article' (that has no research behind it) with a plea to buy a cheaply made watch. Well congratulations on your bake sale.
And before anyone attacks me for not caring about women, I do deeply care. I believe that women deserve equal pay for equal work, I believe that the treatment of harassed female soldiers is a shame and a black mark on our military. I salute and support all veterans.
when will you develop a cheaply made watch for me and the syndrome I suffer from?