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Women Veterans

HER STORY: Women Veterans of NACVSO

NACVSO is proud to launch HER STORY, a monthly profile celebrating the women in our organization who have served in the United States military and continue their commitment to service as Veterans Service Officers and veterans advocates.

Each month, HER STORY will spotlight one NACVSO member, sharing her journey—from her military service and the experiences that shaped her to the path that led her to veterans advocacy and the impact she is making in her community today.

You do not need to have a particular military or professional background to participate. HER STORY is about your individual journey and the experiences that have made you who you are.

If you are interested in being featured, please complete the HER STORY questionnaire and submit it to Jenna Schmidtke at jschmidtke@nacvso.org.

Please also include:

  • A photo of you during your military service
  • A current photo of you

Your story may be selected for a future HER STORY feature shared with the NACVSO community.

We look forward to hearing from the incredible women veterans who make a difference every day through their service to veterans and their families. 

NACVSO Women Veterans Committee Subcommittee Coordinator Opportunities

The NACVSO Women Veterans Committee (WVC) is seeking members interested in serving as Specialist Coordinators for two newly established subcommittees: the Outreach and Community Engagement Subcommittee and the Legislative and Research Subcommittee.

These subcommittees will support the work of the Women Veterans Representative by advancing outreach, communications, legislative awareness, research, and educational efforts on issues affecting women veterans.

Outreach and Community Engagement Subcommittee

The Outreach and Community Engagement Subcommittee will focus on strengthening communication and engagement with NACVSO members and the broader women veteran community. The subcommittee will include:

  • Social Media and Communications Coordinator
  • Newsletter and Member Engagement Coordinator

Legislative and Research Subcommittee

The Legislative and Research Subcommittee will focus on monitoring legislative developments, conducting research, and developing informational and educational resources related to women veterans. The subcommittee will include:

  • Legislative Tracking Coordinator
  • Research and Data Coordinator
  • Presentation and Educational Resources Coordinator

NACVSO members interested in serving as a Specialist Coordinator should email Jenna Schmidtke at jschmidtke@nacvso.org by October 1, 2026.

Please include:

  1. The coordinator position for which you are applying;
  2. Why you are interested in serving in this role; and
  3. Relevant experience, knowledge, or skills you would bring to the position.

Serving on a WVC subcommittee is an opportunity to contribute your experience and expertise to efforts that support women veterans and strengthen NACVSO’s work on their behalf.

If you have questions about the coordinator positions or the subcommittees, please contact Jenna Schmidtke at jschmidtke@nacvso.org.

Testimony Regarding Infertility Care Through the Department of Veterans Affairs

The NACVSO Women Veterans Committee is seeking input from women veterans who have experience accessing infertility care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or navigating the adjudication process for claims seeking service connection for infertility.

We would like to hear from women veterans who have experienced challenges, successes, or other significant experiences related to:

  • Accessing infertility care and services through the VA;
  • Navigating the process of seeking infertility treatment through the VA; or
  • Filing and navigating the adjudication of a claim for service connection for infertility.

If you are a woman veteran with experience in these areas, or if you have worked with a woman veteran who has such experience, we would appreciate hearing from you.

The information shared may also help identify women veterans who may be interested in participating in roundtable discussions with staff from Under Secretary Michael Soddard’s office. These discussions would provide an opportunity for women veterans to share their experiences and perspectives directly with VA leadership and staff.

If you or a woman veteran you have assisted would be willing to share your experience, please contact Jenna Schmidtke at jschmidtke@nacvso.org.

Women Veterans Committee Meeting Information

Monthly Meeting

Date: 3rd Wednesday of each month
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Central (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Eastern)

Quarterly Meetings

  • May 20th, 2026 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Central (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Eastern)
  • August 19th, 2026 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Central (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Eastern)
  • *August 26th, 2026 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Central (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Eastern)
  • November 18th, 2026 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Central (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Eastern)
  • February 17th, 2027 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Central (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Eastern)
  • May 19th, 2027 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Central (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Eastern)
  • August 18th, 2027 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Central (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Eastern)
  • February 16th, 2027 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Central (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Eastern)

Microsoft Teams

Click here: NACVSO Women Veterans Committee | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams

Mission Statement

The National Association of County Veterans Service officers, Women Veterans Committee is formed with a passionate mission to not only bring awareness to the needs, but also to be a voice for Women Veterans everywhere.

This committee is formed of a diverse population dedicated Women Veterans, ranging in a magnitude of demographics, culture, age, and branch of service; coming together with a passion to continue their mission of service to their fellow Veterans, with specific goals to allow focus on the needs of Women Veterans.

  • The WVC works in cohesion with NACVSO Executive Board members and NACVSO as a whole, to identify and address currently trending Women Veteran issues and needs across the country.
  • The NACVSO WVC focuses to collaborate with NACVSO legislative committee to propose and lobby for solution in regards to the trending needs, seen and reported by the NACVSO WVC.
  • The NACVSO WVC works with purpose to build and maintain professional relations applicable to Women Veteran’s programming and supporting entities, to assist Association members with tools and resources to assist Women Veterans of all eras, backgrounds, and demographics.
  • The NACVSO WVC hosts routine meetings, reflecting a supportive and encouraging environment, as a place to gather and provide insight, information, and guidance to fellow NACVSO Women Veteran Committee members.
  • The NACVSO WVC works hand in hand with the NACVSO Executive Board to host a Women Veterans committee event to promote awareness and connections amongst association members, at the NACVSO annual conference.

Jenna Schmidtke,
NACVSO Women Veteran’s Representative

Center for Women Veterans

Welcome all women Veterans, servicewomen, family members, caregivers, and advocates! The Center’s mission is to advocate for improved outcomes and access to VA benefits, services, and opportunities for women Veterans through education, outreach, and collaboration. 

Our Vision is to empower, enroll and encourage women Veterans to trust and choose VA.

The Center for Women Veterans was established by Congress in November 1994 by Public Law 103-446 to advocate for improved outcomes and access to VA benefits, services, and opportunities for women Veterans through education, outreach, and collaboration.  

We are women Veterans proud to serve our sister Veterans and those who serve them. Stay in touch, sign up for emails, follow us on Facebook, X @VAWomenVets and Pinterest @DeptVetAffairs. We share information on benefits and services, events, stories, research and more. Thank you for your service!

The Center for Women Veterans (CWV) is located in Washington, DC, and was established by Congress in November of 1994.
Please check them out here following link.

The Center for Women Veterans welcomes comments and concerns regarding issues that women veterans are experiencing. Their contact information is listed on their webpage. 

Notable Partnerships

Department of Labor - https://www.dol.gov/vets/womenveterans/
Lean In - http://leanincircles.org/chapter/lean-in-women-veterans
eMentor - https://ementorprogram.org/about
Service Women Action Network - http://www.servicewomen.org/


Resources

Women’s Health Services – www.womenshealth.va.gov
Women Veterans Call Center – 1-855-VA-WOMEN (1-855-829-6636)
Center for Women Veterans – http://www.va.gov/womenvet/cwv/index.asp

HER STORY TEMPLATE

2024_Resources_Guide_Brochure

2024_SERVICE_Act_-_Risk_Assessment_Flyer

2024_Fertility_Services_English

2023_PACT_ACT_For_Women_Veterans

2022_Eligibility_and_Enrollment_Outreach_Handout

2022_General_Health_Services_Brochure_English

Locate the nearest VA facility – www.va.gov/directory
Check VA eligibility – www.va.gov/heahteligibility
VA benefit information – https://www.benefits.va.gov/benefits/
VA Homeless program – www.va.gov/homeless
VA Homeless Hotline – 1-877-4AIDVET (1-877-424-3838)
Veterans Crisis Hotline – 1-800-273-8255, Press 1
Access to eBenefits – www.ebenefits.va.gov
Access to My Health eVet – www.myhealth.va.gov
VA Apps for Mobile Devices – Click here for attachment

Women Veteran Brochure - PDF

For more information, please contact Jenna Schmidtke – jschmidtke@nacvso.org