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Union County Employee, Military Vet, and Community Advocate Moves One Step Closer to National Pageant Title

Janna Williams, a military veteran and community advocate, has advanced to the final round of the Ms. Veteran America pageant, a national competition celebrating women who have served in the military and have established a record of service in their communities.

Janna serves as coordinator for Union County’s Office of Veteran Services.

“Janna Williams connects veterans with resources and programs, and she plays an invaluable role in the Freeholder Board’s commitment to serving our military community,” Said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “We would like to congratulate Janna and wish her much success as she competes for the title of Ms. Veteran America.”

Williams, a United States Air Force veteran from Roselle, is pursuing the title that honors her three years of service as an airman and her nearly twenty years of accomplishments as an advocate for military veterans.

 She serves veterans through her work coordinating veteran services in Union County and as the founder of Vets4U, a nonprofit organization that provides food, clothing and other resources to military veterans in need.

“I am beyond excited about making it to the finals,” said Williams who has lived in Roselle for nearly 16 years. “I consider myself a veteran’s advocate and a leader of the veteran community. This will give me the opportunity to take my advocacy and passion for helping veterans to a higher level.”

Williams worked in the pharmaceutical division of her military unit while stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, and Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California. During her service, she was named “Airman of the Quarter,” and received the Wing Commander “Attitude Is Everything” honor, along with other accolades.

After her service, she took a position in New Jersey as an Accredited Veteran Service Officer for the Union County Office of Veterans Services, and is a member of several civic, community and veteran service groups.

She served on the Roselle Board of Education and the Roselle planning board. Williams has also been recognized for her community service with the NCAAP Community Service Award in 2017, the United States Congress Award and other honors.

Williams is a single mother of three children: Jayla, Laci and Elijah. She is the daughter of Lorraine Shipp, a U.S. Navy veteran.

Williams competed on June 27 and 28 in a virtual competition and secured her spot in the final round, scheduled to be held on Oct. 11, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. The semifinals were originally scheduled to take place in Las Vegas but were converted to a virtual competition due to the coronavirus outbreak travel and social restrictions.

Williams is fundraising for Final Salute, Inc., a charity that helps homeless female veterans find shelter and other resources. Those interested in donating can make a donation through her Facebook page at JannaW4MVA2020 (https://www.facebook.com/JannaW4MVA2020/), her Twitter page at @JannaW4MVA2020 or by visiting https://charity.gofundme.com/finalsaluteinc

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including guidance for the free Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, visit ucnj.org/coronavirus-update.

For general information about COVID-19 and phone contacts for 24/7 assistance with questions, visit the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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