Veteran Monica Helms Served in the US Navy from 1970 to 1978. She was assigned to two submarines: the USS Francis Scott Key (1972–1976) and the USS Flasher (1976–1978). During her time in the Navy, Ms. Helms began her transition while based in Charleston, South Carolina but was unable to feel comfortable expressing herself. She was reassigned to the Bay Area in 1976 and was finally able to be out in public as herself. 

In 1999 Ms. Helms designed the transgender flag (link to all the inclusive flags flown by VHA) in order to aid in representing the transgender community. The flag consists of five horizontal stripes: two light blue, two pink, with a white stripe in the center. The blue and pink represent the traditional colors for boys and girls; the white represents individuals who do not fall within the binary. Monica Helms also went on to create the Transgender American Veterans Association (TAVA) in 2003, where she remained president until 2013. Ms. Helms made history when she was elected as a delegate to the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts, and was the first trans person elected to a DNC Convention from Georgia and the South. Ms. Helms continues to advocate for transgender service members and Veterans, as the end of the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy of the United States military did not change the status of transgender military personnel. 

If possible try and take a few moments of your day to celebrate Ms. Helms by celebrating and explore the differences of at least one person you interact with today (even if it’s virtually).