The Women Veteran Calendar: Honoring Service, Empowering the Future

In this episode, Amanda Mae Sauceto shares her journey as a woman veteran, discussing her enlistment in the Air Force just before September 11, her various roles during her military career, and her transition to civilian life. She emphasizes the importance of mental health advocacy for women veterans, the challenges they face in feeling validated and supported, and the need for community connections. Amanda also highlights the alarming statistic that 50% of women veterans are not enrolled with the VA and encourages listeners to seek the benefits they deserve. Through her nonprofit, the Women Veteran Calendar, she aims to empower women veterans and connect them with resources and support. In this conversation, Mae from the Women Veteran Calendar discusses the complexities of navigating VA claims, the challenges faced during medical board processes, and her personal journey of resilience. She shares the inspiration behind the Women Veteran Calendar, emphasizing the importance of community support and empowerment for women veterans. Mae highlights the organization's mission to honor past service, empower present veterans, and reimagine the future for women in the military. The conversation concludes with a message of encouragement, reminding listeners that they are not alone and that support is available.

WOMEN VETERAN CALENDAR:

https://www.womanveterancalendar.com/

ABOUT AMANDA:

Amanda, known to her friends as Mae, Saucedo, is originally from Chesterfield, Massachusetts. She enlisted in the Air Force in 2001. In 2022, Mae retired in San Antonio and decided to stay in Texas. In her Air Force career, she served in various roles including Tricare Flight Chief, Deputy Chief of Wing Protocol, and Base Honor Guard. She deployed twice to Camp Andy(2003) and Balad AB, Iraq(2007), in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM and OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM. She became a certified Master Resilience Trainer in 2016 and taught various resilience skills to classes of new Airmen during her final 6 years in the military. Since retirement, she has remarried, had a baby, began working toward her graduate degree, and founded the nonprofit known as the Woman Veteran Calendar (WVC). 

The Women Veteran Calendar (WVC) raises awareness for women in military service and donates all proceeds to nonprofits supporting women veterans. With women veterans facing a rising suicide crisis and over 50% not receiving VA benefits, WVC advocates for mental health and resources. Their mentorship program pairs active-duty women with veteran mentors for candid, experience-based guidance. As the WVC community—now 2,000+ strong across 28 states—grows, they plan to expand support through grants and scholarships for women in the military.

Words of Wisdom: It’s okay to evolve, grow, and even change your mind based on new information or new experiences. Enjoy the journey and help others along the way. We are all doing our best and no one can do everything alone!

Advice to those in a leadership position: Take care of your people and they will take care of the mission/work! This means listen to them, be open to their requests and suggestions, and be flexible when you can. 

Self care advice: A positive mindset can frame your entire day for resilience and gratitude. You care for your body with nourishment, hydration and sleep. Take care of your mind and mental health too, by practicing gratitude and a positive mindset! And if you’re over 40, keep a pair of tweezers in your purse. Trust me on this one!