#Karen Pence plugs military spouses and art therapy at RNC

Second lady Karen Pence on Wednesday used her Republican National Convention speech to promote military spouses and art therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder.

Pence combined two themes of the evening, touting the Trump administration’s performance on military-related issues, and celebrating the 100th anniversary of female suffrage.

“President Trump and Vice President Pence have been supporting our United States armed forces, including our military families, on a significant scale,” Pence said.

“One hundred years ago, women secure the right to vote. So let’s vote, America. Let’s honor our heroes. Lets reelect President Trump and Vice President Pence for four more years.”

Pence, 63, spoke from a stage in Washington shortly before her husband’s remarks at Fort McHenry, the island fortress near Baltimore that inspired the National Anthem.

The second lady specifically highlighted R. Riveter, a military spouse-run handbag collaboration, and The Sassy Biscuit, a restaurant run by a military spouse.

“As the second lady, I’ve also been able to bring awareness to a form of therapy for our heroic veterans suffering from PTSD. Art therapy facilitated by a professional art therapist is especially effective with post traumatic stress disorder,” she said, telling the story of a veteran who benefited from working with the art therapist at Walter Reed Medical Center.

Trump in June asked Pence to lead a national public health messaging campaign against veteran suicide and she’s continued to hold a job on the side, teaching art at Immanuel Christian School in Springfield, Virginia.