The first in a series about the challenges female veterans face as they transition to civilian life.
America's female veteran population has grown to an estimated 1.9 million, and the Department of Veterans Affairs projects 50,000 more servicewomen will join that population in the next five years. When they return, many will pick up where they left off, as mothers, wives and caretakers.
In Philadelphia, some female veterans are dealing with family responsibilities while still struggling to cope with the lingering effects of war.
During a recent visit to the Philadelphia Veteran's Affairs Hospital, Louise Hawthorne was between appointments. Hawthorne is a disabled veteran from the first Gulf War, over a decade ago. She was a chemical operations specialist, dealing regularly with radioactive material and biological weapons.
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