Take Your Own Notes features the stories of five women veterans who live in the greater Rockford, IL area. The documentary demonstrates how the five women make an impact in their families and local communities and connect with each other through their shared experiences in the United States military. Take Your Own Notes provides an outlet for women who experience challenges featured in the documentary, cultivating an open dialogue for those who wish to tell their stories.
Melissa Beckford is an Army veteran who served as a mental health specialist during the War on Terror. During her service, Melissa also worked as an interpreter attached to a medical unit that provided disaster relief in Guatemala. As a child, Melissa immigrated to the United States from Guatemala. Her return home was meaningful because she was able to see her Grandmother one last time before she passed. Now, Melissa is a mother of two children, a veteran service officer, and a counselor in private practice. She helps veterans, military spouses, military dependents, domestic violence victims, and sexual assault victims.