Veteran Theresa Melton served in both the Navy and the Coast Guard. Now she is using her experience to raise awareness of her fellow veterans who are struggling on the streets.
Melton grew up in San Diego in a military family. So it wasn’t a big surprise when she enlisted.
“I did about eight years altogether between active duty and reserves, also, at one point toward the end of my service, I switched over to the Coast Guard for the reserves,” Melton told First Coast News.
Melton’s experience in the military shaped the woman she has become today. For that reason, she’s competing in the Ms. Veteran America competition, an event that “showcases the woman beyond the uniform.”
“There was over 160 women that entered the competition and they selected 19 for the finals,” Melton said.
With the added visibility of this competition, Melton is trying to raise awareness of homeless women veterans. Over half of homeless women veterans are single mothers, and women are “currently the fastest growing homeless population in America,” according to msveteranamerica.com.
“The Ms. Veteran America competition highlights more than the strength, courage, and sacrifice of our nations military women, but also reminds us that these women are Mothers, Daughters, Sisters and Wives,” the contest website states. “Ms. Veteran America is a movement, encouraging women veterans to uplift each other and find their tribe.”
Proceeds from the event gill go toward housing for homeless women veterans and their children.
“There’s a crisis right now with women who are homeless, who are veterans. I just felt I could do something,” Melton told FCN.
See more of Melton in the video below.