Created by a Woman Veteran, for Women Veterans
I've been designing and creating for many years, going all the ay back to the days of hand painting shirts and mugs before computers and iron- ons made their way into my studio.
I served in the military in the late 70's and 80's I was always proud of my service, but for man years I thought of myself as "prior service" rather than a veteran. That changed in 2015 when I attended a VWISE conference for women veterans and military spouses.
Something clicked for me there. I met other women who had served, found a sisterhood I hadn't realized I was missing, and saw how much women veterans wanted products that recognized their service and their story.
That's where Veteran Branded began.
The name came from something I felt deeply - that our time in service becomes a part of us. In a way, we are branded by our service. I came home inspired and began creating designs specifically for my Sisters in Service.
Life eventually took me aways from the studio. When my husband, John, became ill, everything else stopped. I left my job and put designing aside so I could spend time with him, loving and caring for him. I would make that choice again in a heartbeat.
After losing John, finding my way back into the studio he created for me has become part of finding my way forward. Some days I create for hours, with ideas flying from my mind to my fingers. Other days are quieter. But creating again brings me comfort, joy and a renewed sense of purpose.
Today, Veteran Branded is still about the same thing that inspired me in 2015: women who served deserve to be seen, recognized and celebrated.
I create for my Sisters in Service—and I create for John, too.
Our service matters. Our stories matter. We will NOT be invisible.
—Theresa
Veteran Branded
