Women and Children's Engagement Project

This is HM1 Charlotte Ward of the US Navy, a very special person from Des Moines, Iowa. Charlotte serves with a Naval Special Warfare Unit as a Fleet Marine Force Corpsman. Sometimes it amazes me when we hear about the long hours our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines put in, but when we get emails from Charlotte it really hits home for me. Not only does she provide medical support for an entire platoon of SEALS, but she also serves as a deputy for the Women and Children's Engagement Project through Marine Civil Affairs. She spends endless hours doing foot patrols, and going house-to-house in and around Fallujah, Iraq. In her "spare time" she orchestrates events in village centers, schools, or the homes of tribal leaders. When she contacts us she is usually operating on only a few hours of sleep over several days.

HM1 Ward is receiving funds from Spirit of America for three objectives: 1) to start a literacy project in Fallujah; 2) to start a sewing center; and 3) to make improvements in schools and clinics. Her efforts focus on women and children, as they are the foundation for bringing stability to the area. Many of the women are widowed and have no means for accessible medical care, no skills to earn an income, and little chance for education or literacy. Charlotte is trying her best to bring all of this and more to the women and children of this region. We are very proud to support her work and her boundless energy.

If you would like to help Charlotte out with her project, click here to learn more. Thanks!

Dennis Norris