Dana Ramsey doesn’t call herself an art therapist, but as a cofounder of HEAL HER Art, an organization that offers monthly art-based, community building sessions for women veterans in Phoenix, she does have a motto: “I can’t let these valuable ladies down.”
Before serving as an Intelligence Analyst in the U.S. Army (200913) and deployments to both South Korea and Afghanistan, Dana Ramsey earned a BFA in Art Education & BFA in 3-Dimensional Fine Arts from Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia, PA. After seeing the world with her fellow soldiers, Dana settled in Phoenix with a desire to make a difference. She was leading community painting classes (aka “sip and paints”) when she was approached by fellow veterans Marge Christianson and Joan Sisco, and in 2018, HEAL HER Art was born. Now, Dana creates and facilitates no-cost art-based sessions on the second Saturday of every month, creating a healing space for dozens of women veterans.
When/how did you conceive of Heal Her Art?
I was approached by Marge Christianson at a paint-n-sip event I was instructing at a local restaurant in 2017. She was so impressed with her own stress relief that she asked if I was interested in doing the same for women Veterans; I didn’t hesitate in my response. HEAL HER Art is the collaborative efforts of Marge Christianson, a financial specialist and longtime American Legion Auxiliary office holding member, Joan Sisco, Marine Corps Veteran & founder of Veterans First, LTD, a non-profit specializing in women Veterans’ resources, and me, Dana N. Ramsey, Army Veteran & professional artist and instructor. Together, we created the framework for the organization in Fall 2017 with sessions beginning early 2018.
How did your military experiences influence/inspire this program?
Sure, all soldiers embrace the suck, but women get more in the male dominated environment. To have a small reprieve, I often created and guided artsy activities with some female battle buddies at the military base community centers. We did small crafts like basic sewing (mending our uniforms), beaded jewelry, friendship bracelets, etc. I suppose it’s my nature to talk about, demonstrate and create. Generally, there are little to no activities available for female active-duty or Veterans. It’s clear, programs like HEAL HER Art are needed in towns all over the country.
Why do you believe this is an important contribution to the community of women veterans?
Women veterans are more likely to be divorced, single parents, under or unemployed or suffer from MST [Military Sexual Trauma] than their male counterparts. HEAL HER Art designed its program with the specific needs of these women veterans. HEAL HER Art’s mission is to provide free, single session, art wellness programs for women veterans only, in a safe and social environment. No long-term commitment, no previous art experience is needed, no cost, just women veterans building camaraderie and exploring their creative side.
What kinds of healing impact have you witnessed?
An Air Force veteran with Alzheimer’s loses her agitation as she happily paints, hugs and gives greetings to former strangers. Frowns transitioning to smiles over the course of the class. Every participant has her own story—most we will never know.
What inspires you to continue?
There are times when I wonder if I’m making a difference; something happens to assure me that I’m where I need to be. I get a thank you card from a participating Veteran, or a Veteran makes it a point to tell me before a session how she just realized how much the class has helped her over the past year and feeling better, happier, and healthier. She says, “It really is HEAL HER Art.”
I am fortunate that my focus can be on the art activities. The funding and mechanics of the program are managed by my partners.
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