By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
MONTGOMERY — The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs has created its first Women Veterans Coordinator position and appointed retired U.S. Air Force leader Andrea Searor to serve in the role, marking a significant step toward expanding support and outreach for women veterans across the state.
The new position was established as part of the department’s mission to serve and honor Alabama veterans and ensure they have access to the care, support, and resources they have earned through military service.
ADVA Commissioner Jeff Newton announced Searor’s appointment, citing her extensive military leadership experience and dedication to serving fellow veterans.
“Andrea’s leadership experience, military background, and passion for serving others make her the ideal person to serve as ADVA’s first Women Veterans Coordinator,” Newton said. “She understands the experiences and challenges many women veterans face, and she will be a strong advocate in helping ensure women veterans across Alabama feel connected, supported, and empowered to access the benefits and resources they have earned through their service.”
The creation of the position comes as Alabama’s population of women veterans continues to grow. According to ADVA, 43,220 women veterans live in Alabama. However, only 18,492 are enrolled in U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare programs, and just 14,215 received VA healthcare services during the past year.
State officials say those numbers underscore the need for greater outreach and engagement. Women also account for 13 percent of homeless veterans despite representing only 11 percent of the overall veteran population.
As Women Veterans Coordinator, Searor will work directly with veterans, community organizations, and partner agencies to expand outreach efforts, increase engagement, and raise awareness of programs and benefits available to women veterans throughout Alabama. Her responsibilities will include helping women veterans access healthcare, benefits, community resources, and opportunities that support their transition from military service and overall well-being.
Searor brings more than 26 years of military leadership and public service experience to the position. During her Air Force career, she served in senior leadership roles involving strategic planning, international affairs, and program management. She led teams, managed multimillion-dollar programs, and advised senior military leaders on policy and organizational effectiveness.
Before retiring from military service, Searor served as Division Chief of International Affairs at Maxwell Air Force Base’s Air University.
She earned a Master of Arts in Global Security and Intelligence Studies from American Military University and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Louisiana Tech University. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she remains active in her community through volunteer work with youth athletic programs.
“I am honored to serve Alabama’s women veterans in this new role,” Searor said. “Women who served in uniform deserve strong support systems and access to the resources available to them, and I look forward to helping connect veterans across our state with the services and opportunities they need to thrive.”
The announcement comes as Alabama prepares to observe Women Veterans Day on June 12, recognizing the contributions and sacrifices of women who have served in the nation’s armed forces.
ADVA officials said the new coordinator position reflects the department’s continued commitment to ensuring women veterans across Alabama feel supported, empowered, and connected to the services they need to thrive. :::
