This week, we speak with two women veterans about their military experiences and opportunities and challenges for women veterans.

The number of women in the military is rapidly growing. A 2022 Defense Department report shows that in 2021, there was an 18% increase in women in active duty and a 22% increase in women in the reserves. That’s even as the overall number of service members dropped, according to the same study. Holley Harris is the president of the Greater Tampa Bay chapter of the Women in Defense organization, a national organization that brings the Department of Defense together with all the industries that support it to create and enhance opportunities for women, and increase the diversity in the defense community. Vanessa Thomas works as the women veteran’s coordinator at the Florida Department of Veteran’s Affairs.