Hello Dear Friends,

 

Many of you know that the faculty and administration at the Columbia University School of Social Work recently committed a grave offense to our beloved sister, Eli Painted Crow.

 

Eli has been sucked into a whirling storm of ethical wrongdoing, traumatization and exploitation. She has offered to fly herself out here to meet personally with students, faculty and administration to address these wrongs. As I have observed the back and forth miscommunication by the faculty to Eli and the 400 students in the MSW graduating class, I cannot find the words to express how much harm the university committed to Eli, and by default, the larger community of women veterans. The students have been valiantly organizing all week to resolve and remedy the injury done to Eli--she will be here any moment, and will be staying in NYC for several days if we are lucky.

 

Sasha, the student president for the graduating MSW class, has graciously invited us to attend this potluck and welcome celebration for Eli tomorrow evening. I cannot express how meaningful it would be for you to attend. Eli needs our support and love more than ever right now.

 

Eli was largely the inspiration behind SWAN. Many veterans, myself included, would not be alive today without her. We owe her our lives.

 

In solidarity and with a deeply heavy heart,

Anu