Focusing on the positive impact that women veterans are having in their communities during this crazy and challenging time. This week’s “Badassery” recipient is Gina Ruggiero, Air Force Veteran, who was nominated by her husband, Steven Doty.
This is what Stephen had to say about Gina:
Gina has continued in service to her comrades during this pandemic by assisting three veterans with funding and other support such as food, clothing, furniture, phone or other personal needs they were requesting through her work with the nonprofit, Creative Drill Sergeants.
Gina is co-founder and CEO of this organization that helps prevent homelessness and suicides through creativity and expression.
Here is a current Facebook post regarding her continuing service during the pandemic. In addition, a Documentary about Creative Drill Sergeants mission was released publicly May 25, 2020, and can watched here.
Gina’s Bio:
Artist/Vocalist and Musician. 100% disabled veteran with TBI, PTSD and MST. My personal mission is to help other veterans Live in Solutions and Not Die in Problems to overcome disability adversities through expressive arts to remain active, productive and hopeful in life. Associate Degree focusing on Art and Art History, but am mostly a self-taught artist and CPD accredited in Introductory Expressive Arts Therapy. Shared Hope International Ambassador. Speaker for Eve’s Place Domestic Violence Shelter.
She is an Expressive Arts Instructor who is a 100% disabled veteran with TBI, PTSD, and MST. “My personal mission is to help other veterans Live in Solutions and Not Die in Problems to overcome disability adversities through expressive arts to remain active, productive and hopeful in life.” She graduated North Idaho College with an Associates of Science and an emphasis in Art and Art History. She is a mixed media and graphic artist, a vocalist, and musician with a CPD accreditation in Introductory Expressive Arts Therapy. She serves as a Shared Hope International Ambassador and an American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Ambassador. She was a Community Forestry Commissioner for the City of Hayden, Idaho for over 10 years and her community service was award-winning.