WVSA HISTORY
The Women Veterans of San Antonio (WVSA) was founded in 2013 by a female soldier still serving on Active Duty stationed out of Fort Sam Houston. Her goal was to connect with the women Veterans in the community in preparation for her upcoming retirement after serving 20 years in the U.S. Army.
By 2016, WVSA had such amazing growth and a positive reputation that the group became a federally recognized nonprofit organization: a 501(c)(19) Veterans Organization
WVSA MISSION & VISION
Mission Statement: The mission of the Women Veterans of San Antonio is to serve, honor, and empower women Veterans from all eras and branches of service. This is accomplished by providing our women Veterans opportunities to network, socialize, volunteer, and give back to the Veteran community while bringing public awareness to the specific issues of women veterans.
Vision Statement The WVSA supports all women Veterans including those who are experiencing a challenging reintegration into civilian life by providing them with personal, meaningful interaction, and by connecting them to their communities through networking, volunteerism, and social activities. We also aim to educate the public and our peers, with the realization that ‘Women Are Veterans Too.’
Leadership Team
PRESIDENT
Military: Deb Parsons is a 25-year Veteran of the U.S. Air Force. She served in the Services career field performing duties in food service, lodging, recreation, fitness, honor guard and mortuary affairs. She also served as a technical training instructor, First Sergeant, and squadron superintendent. She was stationed in South Korea, Guam, Italy, Texas, Portugal, Ohio, and Florida. She deployed to Korea, Bosnia, Afghanistan, Qatar and Jordan.
Education: Masters and BA in Organizational Management from Ashford University.
Accomplishments: Serves on the firing party and as the publicity chair for the Fort Sam Houston Memorial Services Detachment. The team provides military honors to eligible veterans and service retirees at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. She is also a volunteer narrator/producer for a local bi-weekly radio broadcast for Owl Radio in support of those with visual impairments. Deb is a member of the VFW and American Legion, and a lifetime member of DAV Chapter 5.
VICE-PRESIDENT
Military: Sandra A. Escobedo is a 27-year Veteran of the U.S. Navy. She enlisted first as a Boiler Technician then later cross-rated to Yeoman later in her career. She was stationed on several ships out of Norfolk VA and several other commands in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.
Education: Medical Assistant from Career Point College.
SECRETARY
Military: Laura Emsweiler
Education:
Accomplishments:
TREASURER
Military: Patricia Niemann is a 20-year Veteran of the U.S. Army. She served as an
Information Technology specialist, and was stationed at Yongsan, Korea, Fort Sill,
Fort, Mannheim, Germany, Ft. Hood, Ft. Carson, Izmir, Turkey, Mons, Belgium. Trish is a
Combat Veteran who deployed for 6 months to United Arab Emirates, 2003 in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom, Joint Special Operations Task Forces attached to Special
Operations Central Command. 12 months to OIF I through II timeline continuation, Baghdad,
Iraq, Camp Liberty 2009-2010. Turkey 2014, North Atlantic Treaty Organization 2015-2017.
Education: Master’s in business administration 2020.
Accomplishments: Life Member of the
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter #14. Member of the Non-Commissioned Officers
Association.
EVENTS COORDINATOR
Military: Rebecca Logan is a 22-year Veteran of the U.S. Air Force. She served as an Airfield Manager and Compliance Inspector. During her career, she completed multiple deployments and worldwide TDYs, ensuring operational safety and mission readiness.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources and currently works as an HR Wellness Specialist, supporting employee wellness initiatives and workers’ compensation.
Accomplishments: Rebecca is also a Project Poderosa Ambassador dedicated to empowering women through health, wellness, and community.
As Event Coordinator for Women Veterans of San Antonio, she is passionate about creating impactful events that foster connection, sisterhood, and continued service beyond the uniform.
SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR
Military: Sarit Alonso is an 11-year Veteran of the U.S. Air Force. She began her service as an intelligence analyst in Electronic System Security Assessment operations. She also served as a cyber intelligence analyst at the Air Force Computer Emergency Response Team. She then cross trained to a medic. As an EMT-Basic, she performed duties in the ER, clinic, ward, and OR. She was stationed in Germany and Texas along with a few temporary duty assignments. She also deployed to Turkey in support of Operation Northern Watch and Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Education: Associate's degree in Communications Applications Technology and Health Allied Sciences from Community College of the Air Force. Associate's degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography from College Health Care Professions.
LOGISTICS
Military: Joy Gibson is a 24-year veteran of the US Army. She began her service as a
Civil Affairs Soldier. After receiving her Commission, she served as an Ordnance
Ammunition Officer and then a Multi-functional Logistics Officer. She was stationed in Alabama (three times), Texas, Minnesota, North Carolina, and New Jersey. She is a
combat veteran who deployed to Iraq for 12 months in support of Operation Iraqi
Freedom.
Education: Master’s in Emergency and Disaster Management.
Accomplishments: Life Member of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).
Joy is an artist, an animal lover in general and dogs in particular, an adventurer, a
reader, a lover of kayaking, nature, architecture, old Forts, books stores, side roads,
and curiosity shops. Not necessarily in that order.