According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), women are expected to make up almost 17% of the U.S. veteran population by 2040. At Swords to Plowshares, women veterans are blazing their own paths to serve their peers. March is Women's History Month, and we are proud to spotlight some staff members who exemplify our 'vets helping vets' model of care. While each of these women carry the complicated weight of their military service, their motivation to serve others mirrors Swords’ work to build genuine connections with women veterans in need of resources, guidance, and community.
Meet Moh Tran, U.S. Army Reserve veteran: Moh first connected with Swords to Plowshares by visiting our Veterans Community Center, which opened in April of 2023. The welcoming environment allowed Moh to find a community she felt at home in. She quickly became one of the first “regulars” – she quips, “I was in the Center so much that, one day, someone said I should just work here. Not a bad idea!” She was later hired as a peer specialist, where she assists veterans in accessing resources and ensures that daily services run smoothly. “It means a lot to work with people who accept me.”
Meet Cecilia Schonian, U.S. Air Force veteran: At our Oakland Services Center, Cecilia – an intake specialist – is often the first person who greets veterans as they enter and connects them to services. Cecilia first came to Swords to Plowshares in 2023, seeking housing assistance and career counseling for herself. At the time, she was unhoused and living in her car. Now in her own apartment and stably employed, she aims to provide other veterans with the same attention and care she received at her lowest. “I felt immediate relief at Swords; I was recognized as a person and not judged for my situation. It is empowering to provide that kind of care to other veterans.”
“Understandably, veterans can be wary and not trust us immediately – especially if they are women or struggling with mental health conditions. This isn’t only about getting veterans housed; we’re also establishing relationships with them out where they feel the safest – which may be in their tent or on a bench they frequent. It’s worth it to come out here determined to make a connection.” - Tonya Greenlee, Swords’ Outreach
From the streets of San Francisco to behind the barber chair, Zack’s story is one of resilience, community, and second chances – a reminder that with the right support, every veteran has the power to rebuild.
Veterans’ stories, updates, and impact, delivered to you each month.
.svg){kind=logo}
