Lioness Blog

LIONESS will be screened at the Maysles Cinema on Wednesday, January 27th at 7:30 pm as part of a series of films on the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Anuradha Bhagwati, Executive Director of SWAN and former Marine Corps Captain, and Michelle Wilmot, former Army Medic and Lioness, will join the filmmakers for the q&a following the screening. Maysles Cinema is located 343 Lenox Avenue between 127th and 128th Streets. Check out screenings list for more information.

On December 11th, LIONESS screened to a standing room only crowd at Walter Reed Army Medical Center's Joel Auditorium in Washington, DC. An in depth panel followed which included the filmmakers, Lionesses Shannon Morgan and Maj. Kate Guttormsen (pictured above) as well as Walter Reed health care providers Lt. Col. Jennifer Lange, Lt. Col. Tonya Dickerson and Lt. Col. Jeffrey Jarvis. The screening was presented by Walter Reed's Behavorial Health Department and the Deployment Health Center Clinic. (Photo credit: Sharon Renee Taylor.)

On November 19th, the U.S. Senate passed the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act which includes the Women Veterans Healthcare Improvement Act. Sponsored by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), senior member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, the legislation will improve care for women veterans at the Department of Veteran Affairs and marks a major turning point in this country's recognition of the changing role servicewomen are being asked to play in Iraq and Afghanistan and their needs as veterans.

"The documentary LIONESS helped drive home the importance of this legislation by putting names and faces to a new generation of female veterans" said Senator Patty Murray. "The brave women depicted in the film have helped lawmakers understand the sacrifices and challenges women face as soldiers and veterans."

Shannon Morgan speaks to soldiers at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska.

Lioness Shannon Morgan and Brigadier General Deborah McManus, Commander of the Alaska Air National Guard, successfully completed eight screenings in five days (Nov. 5-10th) traveling to Fairbanks, Anchorage, Kenai and Wasilla. Both BrigGen McManus and Shannon used the screenings to encourage women servicemembers and veterans to take advantage of the VA healthcare and educational benefits to which they are entitled.

Every year, some people pause on Veterans Day to thank those who have so bravely served our nation...and for that I am grateful - Thank You!

The sacrifice that Soldiers and their family members make is often overlooked. Today in the United States there is a gap between our military and the American people. The explanation is simple; we have a volunteer force in which only a tiny segment of the population serves. Those who aren't touched by current conflicts don't care.
So - Kudos to the Lioness filmmakers who have documented a tiny portion of this history that our forces are currently making. We need people like this to spread the word about the tremendous exhaustive efforts our service members are giving day in and day out.

When the filmmakers came to me four years ago asking to interview me about our Lioness missions I felt it was a great opportunity to tell our story. I am even more certain of that now. More than anything else, the release of this film has increased the public's awareness of women's evolving role in combat. I am honored to be a part of such a great film. The film doesn't attempt to persuade; it just informs. It informs accurately and thoroughly - provoking thought in most viewers. Regardless of personal philosophies on what women should or should not be doing for our Armed Services, everyone should be aware of the capacity in which many currently serve. Again, thanks to Meg and Daria for documenting such a tiny but significant piece of our history.

My tour in Iraq was one of the most momentous years of my life. I'll never again have that much responsibility. To all the Lioness women, I think of all you frequently - you shouldered much and I am humbled by your contributions. Thanks for all you did in Iraq to make our unit successful!

Maj. Katherine P. Guttormsen, student, Command and General Staff College, Fort Belvoir, Virginia

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

Starting November 7th, BrigGen Deborah McManus and Lioness Shannon Morgan tour Alaska screening LIONESS and speaking to women veterans about medical benefits and services available to them through the VA. Stay tuned for updates on this extraordinary tour which will reach out to women in Alaska's Air Guard, Army Guard and veteran communities in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Kenai and Wasilla.