Media Review: Served Like a Girl

Natesha L Smith

doi:10.21061/jvs.v4i1.98

Abstract

According to a recent report from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, the number of homeless women veterans increased by seven percent from 2016 to 2017 compared to a one percent increase among the male veteran population. Served Like a Girl, by Lysa Heslov, situates discussions of the growing plight of the homeless women veteran population against the backdrop of the Ms. Veteran America pageant. The pageant, founded by Army veteran MAJ Jaspen Boothe, was created to bring awareness to the deficit found within existing veteran housing programs and to encourage financial support for the development of transitional services specific to the needs of women veterans. The documentary follows four pageant contestants, the master of ceremonies, the pageant director—also the first pageant winner, and the founder of the pageant as they prepare for the 2015 competition.

Highlights

According to a recent report from the US Department of Veteran Affairs (Richman, 2018), the number of homeless women veterans increased by seven percent from 2016 to 2017 compared to a one percent increase among the male veteran population; the report provided no data regarding homeless veterans who may identify as trans or gender fluid
As there are no clear demarcations between segments of the documentary; the audience is immediately introduced to the inaugural winner of the Ms Veteran America pageant, Air Force veteran Master Sergeant Denyse Gordon, at the conclusion of the montage
Denyse introduces the audience to her crown, affectionately dubbed “Precious,” while describing how she became aware of the pageant and challenges experienced by the fastest growing homeless population, women veterans

Summary

Introduction

It is shared during her introduction that Ms Boothe was at one time homeless herself, her narrative is not fully presented until much later in the documentary. This presents the audience with a unique perspective of the women from which to better connect with what is shared about their experiences of service and civilian life.

Results

Conclusion