THE SOCIETY OF MILITARY WIDOWS (SMW) was founded in 1968 by Theresa (Tess) Alexander to serve the interests of women whose husbands died while on active military duty, of a service-connected illness, or during disability or regular retirement from the armed forces. SMW is a nonprofit organization chartered in the State of California under section 504 (c) (4) of the Internal Revenue Service Code.
All military widows who are eligible for membership are encouraged to support the Society of Military Widows by becoming a member, whether or not they can attend meetings. Our political leverage is in our total membership on a national basis. The more members we have, the more important we are to elected members of Congress. In 1984 SMW affiliated with the National Association for Uniformed Services (NAUS) to make a stronger organization, working to protect the hard-earned benefits and entitlements of military widows. The affiliation allows for membership development, administrative efficiency, and Washington representation.
Our purpose is to:
benefit widows of members of all branches of the uniformed services of the United States.
give moral support, advice, referral service and, in general, help the widows of career military members to return to the main stream of normal living.
educate the American public concerning the problems and needs of military widows in today's society, and
preserve the basic truths and enduring principles on which the government of the United States is founded.
After the casualty officer and the caseworker have gone home and the paperwork is finished, how do you get through the lonely hours? As a military survivor, you very often face problems your civilian counterpart does not. The death of your spouse may be followed by a change of residence and separation from the network of support you have come to expect in the armed forces. You need someone who can help you through this difficult time.
Grief is a natural healing process that must be lived through. As military widows, we are here for you -- to help with your problems, as a support network, as friends, and, sometimes, simply a shoulder to cry on.
If you have specific questions related to your spouse's death or about your rights and benefits as a military survivor, please contact us at 1-800-842-3451, Ext. 1005 or at pdshecter76@gmail.com and we will ensure that your question is directed to the person or agency best able to answer it.
