POST FALLS — For a while, Maurica Nelsen got used to feeling invisible during public veteran acknowledgements.  

Like a discordant note in a melody, pointing out her existence among the ranks of male veterans at gatherings caused confusion and sometimes unwanted conflict. 

“I was told by a man, ‘You don’t have to lie about your service,’” Nelsen said about one encounter that particularly stuck with her.   

Nelsen joined others Wednesday across different branches of service and even state lines to attend a session at American Legion Post 143 for women veterans.  

Nelsen joined the Army in 2002, deployed to Iraq in 2004-05 through the Idaho National Guard, and now serves in the Army Reserve.

“It was really hard back then because women ‘weren’t in combat,’” Nelsen said. “Anything I said was really pish-poshed.”   

Because she changed units during deployments, Nelson felt doubly isolated upon returning, as she was the only female veteran she knew. When she tried to stand up as a veteran to seek recognition, the disbelief and scrutiny were unexpected and undermining. 

“I had no one,” Nelsen said. 

Wearing a shirt emblazoned with the words, "This is What a Veteran Looks Like," Renel Duvall said that she and other members of Post 143 want to change that. 

Duvall said during the 24 years she served in the Navy on active duty and as a reservist, she often considered forming a similar group but never had the time. 

When other members of Post 143 approached her to form the group, she jumped at the opportunity to forge connections with other women veterans and gain visibility.    

“I don’t believe that women are recognized at all, even on Veterans Day, where everyone stands up for appreciation, you never see women stand up,” Duvall said. 

Spokane resident Tzena Scarborough served in the U.S. Army and said she’s eager to build a stronger regional community for women veterans.   

“I didn’t know any other female veterans for years,” Scarborough said. “It took me a long time to identify as a veteran when I got out, but I found my voice.”  

Scarborough wants to improve the representation of women in images and depictions of veterans and to encourage more women to share their stories. 

“My goal is to help women identify as veterans, to tell them where to go to get their benefits, help change the face of what a veteran looks like and help build up community,” Scarborough said.  

The group is focusing on actionable community events, such as veterans stand-downs, and on how they want to serve the community and increase visibility in the coming months. 

    Idaho American Legion Department Commander Dee Sasse speaks as Tzena Scarborough listens at a newly formed group for women veterans at American Legion Post 143 in Post Falls.