Contributed by Gretchen Cook
With Veterans Day upon us, I want to draw attention to a group of veterans who often go unseen: women survivors of military sexual trauma (MST) and post-traumatic stress (PTS).
According to recent data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, roughly 28 to 42% of women veterans report experiencing MST.
I’m a graduate of the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and lead an alumni group, and in 2023 I had the honor of meeting with the Secretary of the Air Force to discuss the sexual assault crisis at our military service academies. That work led me to Rooted Within, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves military and veteran women across the country who live with MST and combat-related PTS.
Rooted Within runs six-day, five-night, trauma-informed retreats that help women recover their strength and vitality as they face the challenges of PTS and MST. Healing happens in a community of survivors with similar backgrounds. I spend much of my time raising funds for these retreats and organizing them, and I’m grateful for any support our local communities can offer. All donations are tax-deductible.
To protect the safety and confidentiality of survivors, the following quotes are anonymous:
“This retreat gave me the space and safety to acknowledge out loud what happened to me and find other sisters who understood and supported me in my journey toward healing.”
“Rooted Within changed my life. The value of healing with others who faced similar trauma is something I cannot begin to explain in words. I am a better woman, mom and spouse because of this experience.”
The lasting impact of the retreat experience starts with the powerful common ground these women find, not only for having served in the U.S. military, but through the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual work they do together during their retreat. Participants leave with tools for recovery and connections that last.
Since 2011, we have served more than 490 military and veteran women at nature-based locations around the country. A couple of those retreats were held right here in Maine, and we hope to return to a particular Maine site in 2027 and 2028. Our state’s beauty and peacefulness are a real aid to the healing work.
The need is significant, and we hear from more military and veteran women every week. The changes we see in participants are remarkable, but raising the funds for each retreat is hard. We are grateful for private donations and grants, and we are looking for people who can use their networks to host a fundraising event for 2027 and beyond.
To learn more or donate, visit www.rootedwithin.org or email info@rootedwithin.org.
The story was contributed by Gretchen Cook, a U.S. Air Force veteran and fulltime Kennebunk resident. She is also a volunteer for The Local News.
