STRENGTHENING: The First School for Women Veterans by Fight For Right
From August 9 to 12, Fight For Right held the “STRENGTHENING: Business and Professional Growth for Women Veterans” school.
14 women veterans,with and without disabilities, participated in practical workshops and training sessions on startup management, marketing, financial literacy, accounting, and fundraising. The participants shared their plans and motivations for starting their own businesses. Their ideas were incredibly diverse: from creating a space for psychological support for children with disabilities and opening a gym for veterans to growing and producing organic products.
Yuliia Sachuk, head of Fight For Right, noted, “For us at Fight For Right, it is crucial to help create a dignified life for service members and women veterans, particularly those with disabilities. The school for women veterans was a significant step in this direction: it helps us to collectively regain strength, develop leadership, and build confidence in the future.”
What Motivates Women Veterans to Take Action?
When asked about her motivation, veteran Anna answered directly:
“A disability pension is good, of course, but you need to earn more to be able to recover physically and mentally, and at least to feed your cat.”
Contrary to the common public belief that veterans are fully supported by the state, our participants know that the reality is different. They do not spend their energy on debunking this myth, instead, they focus on action. Rather than relying on minimal government support, they seek to realize their potential in civilian life by transforming their military skills – discipline, responsibility, and teamwork – into a powerful tool for developing their own businesses or new professions.
“Look how different we are, with different backgrounds. We were doing a lot of interesting work before our service. Then we were useful in the army. And now we are returning, and we want to integrate into society and do something meaningful. Everyone has such diverse ideas! And that is inspiring,” Anna shared.
“I’m learning to be a civilian all over again, and it’s not easy. I returned to the job I had before the war [before serving in the Armed Forces – ed.], and in my team, most of the women’s husbands are not serving, or men are working nearby who sit and boast about how they ‘excellently’ evaded the war. So for me, the best option is to work for myself, to choose the people with whom it will be comfortable to work and communicate,” said veteran Tetiana.
Anastasiia, a servicewoman, has come to the school because, after nine years of military service, she wants to fulfill her dream of creating a support space for veterans. In this space, veterans can recover with the assistance of massage therapists, psychologists, and rehabilitation specialists, while also having the opportunity to play sports in their free time.
“Support is so important, especially after being in captivity or after an amputation. In your own circle, where people understand you, it’s easier to return to normal and feel better. Many veterans, after returning from service to civilian life, spend the first few months resting and then find themselves uncertain about what to do next. Sports are the best thing that adds motivation.”
Effective Learning Through Practical Application
The information received during the school was valuable to the participants primarily because it was provided by women practitioners — women who once risked and, despite the failures that exist in every business, achieved success. The veterans had the opportunity to reinforce the information they received during practical sessions.
First, Yuliia Sachuk, the head of Fight For Right, told the participants about human rights and a human rights approach to disability. Anastasiia Voinarovska, a veteran and psychologist at Fight For Right, spoke with the participants about new professional opportunities as a dimension of post-traumatic growth. Halyna Klempouz (“Perlynka”), co-founder of the Veteranka Movement, held a workshop for participants on expanding their opportunities through requalification. Iryna Tirel, a manager at the Veterans’ Office and a lawyer, explained how to receive social grants for socially useful projects. Yelena Shepel, a financial literacy expert, talked about the basics of financial business management. And they discussed building a personal brand with Oksana Solonska, PR manager at AUTO.RIA.
The participants were also interested in learning how other women veterans managed to start businesses. Specifically, Bohdana Sydorenko shared how she founded Nika-Text Plus LLC and GameTree, and Kateryna Pryimak, head of the Veteranka Movement, spoke about the activities of the social enterprise by.VTRNK.
Experiences were also shared by Giles Duley, founder and CEO of the Legacy of War Foundation, Alina Kiptyk, a KFC franchise in Ukraine, Svitlana Zhuchkova, a practicing accountant and entrepreneur in accounting and tax consulting, and Oleksandra Kutas, a public figure and producer.
More Opportunities to Come!
Project manager Karyna Hrytsiuk noted that the school is only the first stage, and soon, Fight For Right, together with experts from the Veteranka Movement, will announce a competition for 10 mini-grants to start a business or for requalification opportunities for women veterans.
“The ‘STRENGTHENING’ school for women veterans, with and without disabilities, is an incredibly warm, meaningful event that brought together women veterans who are now seeking and creating new meanings in civilian life. There are even more opportunities ahead! We will continue to support women veterans through mentorship programs and help with requalification and the development of their own initiatives. Successful women entrepreneurs will work with the veterans to share their experience and expertise and help refine their business ideas,” said Karyna.
The women veterans said honestly that they really lack similar steps from civilians, from their communities, as well as communication and integration opportunities. For many participants, the Fight For Right ‘STRENGTHENING’ school was the first sign that society is interested in their self-realization and professional growth. The veterans also appreciated the care from the organizers, the atmosphere of acceptance, and, of course, the top-notch speakers, which increased the participants’ motivation to take action.
Fight For Right
We can do anything! Are you with us?
Fight For Right is implementing the “Empowering women veterans with disabilities” project, with the support of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy @funds4disaster, to strengthen the community of people with disabilities and to develop and rebuild Ukraine.
