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Center for Women Veterans (CWV)

 

Women Veteran Trailblazers Initiative

Women Veterans Trailblazer seal

The Center for Women Veterans (CWV) is proud to announce the CWV 2023 Women Veteran Trailblazers Initiative “Women Making the Difference.” We have defined a woman Veteran Trailblazer as a woman who has served and separated from the service and makes an impact by enhancing the lives of other Veterans, Veteran families, or Veteran caregivers.

On this page:
2023  |  2021  |  2019

2023 Trailblazers

In 2023, the Center received 394 nomination packages for the 2023 CWV Women Veterans Trailblazers “Women Making the Difference” initiative to celebrate women woman who has served and separated from the service and makes an impact by enhancing the lives of other Veterans, Veteran families, or Veteran caregivers. Impact may be a single event or action or may be demonstrated over a period of time in one or more of the following areas:

  • Education
  • Employment
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Homelessness
  • Legal
  • Mental Health and Wellness

The 21 selected CWV 2023 Women Veteran Trailblazers are:

  • Dr. Angela Karnes Padron, United States Air Force Veteran, Germany
  • Cassandra Taylor, United States Army Veteran, Illinois
  • Debra Gipson, United States Army Veteran, Ohio
  • Edna Cummings, United States Army Veteran, Maryland
  • Elizabeth Martinez Gonzalez, United States Army Veteran, Puerto Rico
  • Erica Parks, United States Army Veteran, Georgia
  • Fa’alagiga Nina Tua’au-Glande, United States Air Force Veteran, American Samoa
  • Jas Boothe, United States Army Veteran, Virginia
  • Jennifer Quintero, United States Air Force Veteran, Arizona
  • Kris Fuhr, United States Army Veteran, Georgia
  • Margaret Lockridge, United States Air Force Veteran, California
  • Mary Kate Flatley, United States Navy and United States Marine Corps Veteran, California
  • Michelle "Mia" Garcia, United States Marine Corps Veteran, Texas
  • Olivia Nunn, United States Army Veteran, Virginia
  • Shelby Setnikar, United States Army Veteran, Minnesota
  • Stacy Lee, United States Army Veteran, Arizona
  • Tahina Montoya, United States Air Force Veteran, Virginia
  • Tammy Barlet, United States Coast Guard Veteran, Maryland
  • Wanda Petty, United States Army Veteran, Texas

This year the Center honored two extraordinary women Veterans with Posthumous Trailblazer awards.

  • CAPT Georgia Clark Sadler, United States Navy Veteran
  • Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas, United States Marine Corps Veteran

This powerful campaign highlights the experiences and contributions of these women Veterans and provides VA the opportunity to share stories about how their military service and unique experiences led to their continued roles as leaders and advocates in the communities where they live and work.

2021 Trailblazers

In 2021, the Center received 108 nomination packages for the 2021 CWV Women Veterans Trailblazers “Women Veterans Leading the Way” initiative to celebrate women Veterans extraordinary work in Education, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Homelessness, Legal assistance, Mental Health and Wellness. Twenty-seven women Veterans representing all branches of service were selected that embody the characteristics that define a Trailblazer.

  • Northeast Region
    • Army Veteran Danielle Applegate
    • Army Veteran Mary Chitwood
    • Marine Corps Veteran Viviana DeCohen
    • Army Veteran Maureen Elias
    • Army Veteran Carol Eggert
    • Army Veteran Amelia Estwick
    • Marine Corps Veteran Tee Marie Hanible
    • Air Force Veteran Amanda Huffman
    • Navy Veteran Diana Kirkland
    • Army Veteran Shurhonda Love
    • Navy Veteran Abby Malchow
    • Army Veteran Jenny Pacanowski
  • Southeast Region
    • Air Force Veteran Sandra Franks
    • Air Force Veteran Deloris Quaranta
  • Midwest Region
    • Army Veteran Zaneta I. Adams
    • Army Veteran Crystal Kyle
    • Air Force Veteran Virginia Narsete
    • Marine Corps Veteran Sharon Robino-West
  • West Region
    • Air Force Veteran Kristin Gyford
    • Army Veteran Eileen Moore
    • Coast Guard Veteran Karla Nemitz
    • Air Force Veteran Virginia A. Wimmer
  • Southwest Region
    • Army Veteran Beverly A Charley
    • Army Veteran Cassandra V. Facciponti
    • Army Veteran Sonia Lopez
    • Marine Corps Veteran Queta Rodriguez
    • Navy Veteran VR Small
2019 Trailblazers

In 2019, the Center launched the CWV Women Veterans Trailblazers “Women Breaking Barriers” initiative to celebrate women Veterans’ contributions during and after their military service. Fifteen women Veterans Trailblazers representing all branches of service were selected.

  • Army & Navy Veteran Robbin Alex
  • Army Veteran Cathy Bennett-Santos
  • Army Veteran Patty Collins
  • Army Veteran Diana Danis
  • Marine Corps Veteran Kyleanne Hunter
  • Army Veteran Michele Jones
  • Coast Guard Veteran Judy Keene
  • Navy Veteran Ginger Miller
  • Army Veteran Tonja Myles
  • Navy Veteran Amanda Plante
  • Army Veteran Linda Singh
  • Air Force Veteran Cassie Strom
  • Air Force Veteran Wilma Vaught
  • Navy Veteran Melissa Washington
  • Army Veteran Tanya Whitney

Women Veteran Resources

Health Information Benefits Information Burials and Memorials Information VA Health Care: Apply Now Women Veterans Call Center: 1-855-VA-WOMEN

Subscribe to receive weekly women Veteran centric updates and news

 

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