Pin-Ups For Vets: Going Retro For A Good Cause

As a history major, I love to look at old photographs and media. I am particularly fascinated by Wartime propaganda and pinups. Imagine my delight when I discovered Pin-Ups For Vets, a nonprofit that utilizes old-school pinups as inspiration to help veterans and the military community.

Photo Credit:Marco Patino

Gina Elise is the Founder of the nonprofit, Pin-Ups For Vets. Gina founded this organization in 2006 as a tribute to her grandfather, who served in the Army during World War II. She was inspired by “stories about older Veterans who lay in bed day after day, never receiving any visitors” and reports of the “severe injuries sustained by our troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan”. Her goal was to form a creative and artistic way to support the service members.

 Her work has also been supported by Oprah Winfrey and has received Congressional Recognition. The organization has received multiple community service awards for its impact it has had on the military community.  The volunteers put many hours, including holidays, into their projects and visits.

They have visited nearly 7,000 hospitalized Veterans to show appreciation and to help boost morale in the VA locations, military hospitals, and veteran homes. The volunteers entertain former and current military personnel and their families at events where the volunteers sing, dance, and preform variety acts.

Their most well-known project is their calendar, which features former or current military members and military spouses. The 2015 calendar features 12 veterans (9 women, 3 men). Among these models is a Naval Flight Surgeon who is now and ER doctor. Sales from the calendar support state-of-the-art rehab equipment for veterans, and other projects or items for veterans. These calendars are also delivered to veterans and sent to deployed troops. 

According to Gina, there is a great “response from the patients (both male and female) during our visits. The morale-boosting care packages that we have shipped over the years to our deployed troops are often ordered by military wives for their husbands. We have a huge female fan base who love our 1940s pin-up style and how we empower women”.

As the wife of a Reservist, and someone whose family has a long line of military members, I appreciate this program and what it does. Some people have issue with the "sexy" nature of the girls' outfits. I honestly believe that these women keep it classy. Their costumes are often more conservative than what many people would find in pubic, at the beach, or on their social media.

Some people also believe that pin-ups objectify women. As a feminist, I disagree. For some women, it is an empowering experience. They give retro makeovers to military spouses and veterans “to make them feel like queens for a day” and to show appreciation. There is nothing wrong with dressing up and having fun supporting a good cause. I believe it is a way for many of these strong military-affiliated personnel to express their personalities.

Feel inspired? You can visit veterans at your local VA. They would love to have a visitor!

Please visit www.pinupsforvets.com for more information,