Monisha Ríos

Like many other women servicemembers, Monisha Ríos experienced gender and sexual harassment, misogynist humiliations, physical assault and constant fears of rape during her time in the Army. When she joined Veterans for Peace in 2015, Ríos had already engaged in efforts to address the sources of Military Sexual Trauma, and had become involved with Psychologists for Social Responsibility (PsySR).

Disenchanted with her experience of VFP’s lack of openness to the ideas and leadership of women of color and LGBTQ+ veterans, Ríos reined back her involvement with VFP after serving a stint on the national board. In 2020, Ríos moved to Vieques, Puerto Rico, where her family members were among those harmed by the toxic legacy of the island’s use by the U.S. military for air bases, bombing ranges, chemical and biological weapons testing, and depleted uranium dumping.

Elected President of PsySR, Ríos intends to contribute to a movement to demilitarize the profession of psychology. She also developed connections with About Face members, with whom she conducted multiple webinars aimed at unveiling the dynamics of psychological warfare. “My work,” Ríos says, “is exposing the military psychological industrial complex, and doing anti-imperialist work.”