Veterans Organizing Institute

On June 12, 1948, President Harry Truman signed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act into law. This groundbreaking legislation marked an important step towards women’s equality, allowing women to serve as regular members of the armed forces. We continue to honor and recognize the brave women of the military every year on June 12th #VetsOrganize #WomensArmedServicesIntegrationAct

“If we desire a society of peace, then we cannot achieve such a society through violence. If we desire a society without discrimination, then we must not discriminate against anyone in the process of building this society. If we desire a society that is democratic, then democracy must become a means as well as an end.” - Bayard Rustin American activist and leader for civil rights, nonviolence, labor and gay rights

"Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly." -Langston Hughes, writer & activist #VetsOrganize #MotivationMonday

#throwbackthursday back to April 2022 VOI in Atlanta, GA! Highlights included a trip to The National Center for Civil and Human Rights and a round table discussion with Dr. Carol Anderson, author of “One Person, No Vote” and “White Rage.” #TBT #VetsOrganize

This week, we spotlight US Army veteran and TX native Rojelio Aleman II, VOI class of winter '24. After his service in the Army, Rojelio became a veterans advocate and continued to serve his community as a Rotarian with the McAllen Evening Rotary. As a member of VFW Post 7473, he has served in various local and district level positions. Rojelio continues his advocacy work in McAllen and throughout the Valley and hopes to graduate with his bachelor's in Organizational Leadership at South Texas College. #VetsOrganize #leadershipdevelopment

"History has shown us that courage can be contagious, and hope can take on a life of its own. –Michelle Obama #MotivationMonday #MondayMotivation

This week, our alumni have been busy on the ground and on the airwaves! Alumni Craig Romanovich and Greg Garcia (Class of Sep ‘22) spent time canvassing door to door in PA while Melissa Cordero (Class of Feb ‘24) sat down with John King on CNN. Amazing work all around by our incredible alumni! #OrganizeVets #leadershipdevelopment #grassroots

“When we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard nor welcomed, but when we are silent we are still afraid, so it is better to speak.” -Audre Lorde #OrganizeVets #MotivationMonday

“You don’t make progress by standing on the sidelines whimpering and complaining. You make progress by implementing ideas.” – Shirley Chisholm #MotivationMonday #WomensHistoryMonth #MondayMotivation

#tbt to the early days of VOI and our October 2019 cohort! #throwbackthursday #VetsOrganize