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Women Veterans

National Women's Veterans Day 2026

I had the incredible honor of being a part of the planning committee, and speaking at the Women Veterans Summit hosted by Los Angeles County in recognition of National Women Veterans Day. As I reflect on the experience, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the powerful women, inspiring stories, and unwavering spirit that filled every conversation, and experience of this event.

The summit was more than a gathering, it was a celebration of service, resilience, leadership, and sisterhood. The energy created by the speakers, attendees, organizers, and participants was truly profound. Women veterans from every walk of life came together to share experiences, uplift one another, and remind each other of the strength we carry, not only from our military service, but through our continued service to our communities, as CVSO’s.

When I introduce myself, as the NACVSO Women's Veteran Representative, I sincerely feel an overwhelming  sense of pride,  as I think of what an honor, privilege and blessing  it is to represent the incredible women who serve within our association. 

I am continually inspired within every interaction I have with the women who serve within our association. The dedication shown everyday, on so many levels,  ensuring our veterans receive the care, benefits, and support they have earned, need, and deserve. It’s a humbling and beautiful thing to witness and be a part of! 

The bond we share is more than professional—it is a sisterhood forged through service, sacrifice, and a commitment to lifting others as we overcome and progress as a whole.

My hope is that NACVSO can continue to build upon this experience and use it as a model to expand similar opportunities across the country. Women veterans deserve spaces where they are seen, heard, empowered, and celebrated. Together, we can continue creating environments that foster connection, advocacy, education, and support for women veterans nationwide.

As we reflect on National Women Veterans Day, I encourage every woman veteran to hold herself in high esteem. Be proud of your service. Be proud of your accomplishments. Be proud of the obstacles you have overcome and the barriers you have broken. We often spend so much time serving others that we forget to acknowledge our own achievements.

And the truth is that women veterans are extraordinary!!!!!!

Our journeys are a testament to the strength, courage, resilience, and tenacious perseverance we hold and have cultivated through every obstacle we have overcome, and mission we have accomplished. And together, we will continue moving mountains every day through our leadership, advocacy, and service.

To every woman veteran and every woman CVSO, thank you. Thank you for your service, your sacrifice, your leadership, and your commitment to our brothers and sisters in arms. It is an honor to stand alongside you and represent such an INCREDIBLE community of women.

Together, we continue to rise.

Jenna Schmidtke,
NACVSO Women’s Veteran Representative

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)
  • 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

2024_Resources_Guide_Brochure

2024_SERVICE_Act_-_Risk_Assessment_Flyer

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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