Kate K, Esquire

A Heroine of Washington

I didn’t know quite what to make of Kate when I first ran into her on a SIGNAL chat group for Operation Sacred Promise (OSP - RIP). But it was amid so much pain, tragedy, and despair that a strong woman stepped up so she could care for everyone.

Sometime in the fall of 2021, I found my way into the OSP chat room. Inside those digital confines, people scrambled to save their trusted Afghan allies. Despite never serving in Afghanistan, Kate K started helping out because a lifelong friend was immersed in the misery, so she jumped in.

Of course, she did. That’s the thing about Kate K - she’s fearless.

Always fearless.

That doesn’t mean she’s not nervous, or scared, or anything like that — we all are — but she doesn’t let that stand in her way. She’s a fearless advocate for those on the margins of life.

She also swears like a G*d damn sailor—and people, I’m here for it.

Kate K giving GCV a pep talk

But that’s what I love about her. She’s 100% authentic. And she’s not going to take any shit.

But beneath that layer of steel is a huge heart for those suffering. It is a heart that beats so big that one wonders how she does it.

How does a VA administrative judge set up a mental health program to provide support for Afghan evac volunteers?

Through sheer grit and determination. Even when attendance was low, she remained undeterred. Did she have any mental health training? No. Had she ever done anything like that before? Again. No.

She just started emailing people and organizations, asking for help. And like any good legal hack, she was relentless. So, with the help of our great partners at Give an Hour, she provided a safety net for hundreds of American volunteers trying desperately to salvage their country’s honor on behalf of a very ungrateful nation.

Of course, she not only helped those helping Afghans but also advocated for Afghans with senior American government leaders. She was laser-focused on pushing the Biden administration into action—and if that meant speaking forthrightly to powerful people, so much the better.

Again. Fearless.

All these thoughts raced through my head when I heard that my BFF, Kate Kovarovic, had been a finalist for the 2024 March of Dimes Heroines of Washington Award.

Heroines of Washington is one of the area’s most unique events, recognizing and honoring women in the D.C. Metro Area for their dedication to community service. Since 2001 the March of Dimes has honored 143 "heroines" and raised more than $4 million to make sure one day all babies are born full term and healthy.

I, of course, was not surprised about all of this. Not at all.

I’m actually wondering what took everyone so long. Seriously, how or why Kate K isn’t in conversations with the most senior Biden officials on issues focused on Afghanistan evacuation efforts is one of G*d’s great mysteries. The Afghans are worse off because she’s not in the room having those conversations.

I can’t think of anyone I would want more in a room full of powerful men trying to use the bureaucracy as a shield for their incompetence than her. She would cut through such nonsense like a knife through butter.

Pity.

But, alas, she’s just a mere Co-Founder at GCV+F.

I’m not good at many things. But, one of my superpowers is spotting natural-born leaders—and that’s Kate K. She has her own style, but she’s incredibly effective in building a work environment that welcomes and nurtures others.

(while also swearing like a sailor)

I plan on attending the finalist selection and getting all gussied up. I can’t wait to see her shine again!

(Under the advice of counsel, I will not repeat some of the methods I offered Kate K to ensure her victory.)

LOL. JK!

In all seriousness, Kate K is an incredible friend, advocate, and heroine of Washington.

We’re all so very proud of her!

YAY!

And congratulations to all the finalists!

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Beth Bailey Joins the Dark Side

Beth Bailey has her substack, and you should subscribe immediately. If you don’t subscribe, it means you don’t support the troops. So how could YOU not want to support the troops?

On Aug. 17, still another new but familiar terror was unleashed upon the women of Afghanistan when news emerged that the Taliban had sentenced a woman in Balkh province to death by stoning. The woman’s alleged crime is having an extramarital affair. It appears that her affair partner will only face a “punishment order.”

Stonings were practiced during the Taliban’s prior regime. Their use today represents an escalation from the 136 public floggings that Afghan women have been subjected to since the Taliban’s takeover. In response to the Taliban’s March announcement that they would institute stonings once more, Sahar Fetrat of Human Rights Watch told the Guardian that the Taliban “tested their draconian policies one by one, and have reached this point because there is no one to hold them accountable for the abuses.”

SUPPORT THE TROOPS!

Yes. I went there. It’s my substack and I can do what I want!

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Vacation Time

Alright party people, August has been a very busy month for us at GCV+F. We’ve been busting our butts trying to elevate the voices of our Afghan allies. We helped our friends at Afghan United Front and surpassed our goal for the Moral Injury Support Group (MISG) — yes, it’s an acronym now! Woohoo!

With all that in mind, GCV+F will be taking the first week of September completely off. Some new episodes of Shoulder to Shoulder will probably air, but that’s it.

Don’t worry. We will return, rested and stronger than ever.

Until Next Time.