Support for Women Veterans at Underground Jiu Jitsu

Located in Dousman, Underground Jiu Jitsu is making a concerted effort to support a unique yet often overlooked group: women veterans. The gym’s owner, Natalie Kranzman, is collaborating with the Women Veterans Independent Network (WOVIN), a nonprofit organization dedicated to aiding women veterans.

Raising Awareness

Kranzman emphasized her commitment, stating, “I wanted to get the word out for them so that more people know about them.” This initiative is particularly meaningful for Tori Sterner, a member of the gym whose husband is a Marine veteran. Having experienced the challenges of transitioning out of military life, Sterner has joined Kranzman to raise funds for WOVIN, which specifically targets women veterans facing homelessness.

Challenges Faced by Women Veterans

The challenges for women veterans can be acute. “The sexual assault and physical assault is more, higher and the suicide rate is higher for women vets,” Kranzman pointed out. This stark reality is underscored by Sterner’s observation of the difficulties many veterans face when reintegrating into civilian life, stating, “The transition from active duty to going back into the civilian world can be very difficult for a lot of people.”

Statistics of Women Veterans

Women represent over 2 million veterans in the United States, comprising approximately 10% of the total veteran population. This demographic parallels the landscape in jiu jitsu, where women are also a minority. Kranzman noted, “Jiu jitsu is niche. There are not many of us. And on top of that there are not that many women.” This similarity fuels their shared mission of promoting WOVIN’s visibility and impact.

The Sense of Community

According to Chelsea Cayemberg, an instructor at Underground Jiu Jitsu, the ethos surrounding women in jiu jitsu is one of support and empowerment: “Most women in jiu jitsu build each other up.” Sterner further added, “It seems to be that they can be a little bit forgotten about once they exit the service, so I think putting light onto the veteran community is a huge deal.” This commitment to highlighting veteran issues is seen as essential for both active-duty members and those who have transitioned out.

Fundraising Initiative

To support WOVIN, Underground Jiu Jitsu is actively fundraising through the end of the month. Donations can be made directly to assist the nonprofit in its mission to help women veterans.

For further inquiries or to suggest story ideas, readers can reach out through TMJ4 News.

Stream local news and weather 24/7 on your device by searching for “TMJ4.” Available on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.