The 2025 Women Veterans Trailblazer Initiative

VA’s Center for Women Veterans (CWV) is on the lookout for outstanding nominees for its 2025 Women Veterans Trailblazers “Women Veterans Forging a Path” initiative. The program seeks to recognize women who have separated from military service and have made significant impacts on the lives of Veterans, their families or caregivers.

What defines a Trailblazer?

A Trailblazer is a woman who embodies leadership and change through impactful actions or events, over time, in crucial areas such as:

• Education: Advocating for or providing educational opportunities for Veterans.
• Employment: Assisting Veterans in securing meaningful employment.
• Entrepreneurship: Supporting Veteran-owned businesses.
• Homelessness: Working toward eradicating Veteran homelessness.
• Legal Assistance: Offering legal help to Veterans.
• Mental Health and Wellness: Promoting mental health services for Veterans.
• Research: Building women’s health research to transform Veterans’ care.
• Violence Against Women: Combatting domestic violence, harassment and sexual assault against Veterans.

How to nominate a Trailblazer

The deadline for nomination packages is Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. If you or someone you know fits the above description, the Center for Women Veterans is eager to hear from you. Submit your nominations now and learn more. Selected nominees will be announced in March 2025, aligning with Women’s History Month. The selection process may include an interview to further explore the nominee’s contributions.

A legacy of recognition

The CWV began this initiative in 2019 with the “Women Breaking Barriers” campaign, celebrating the myriad contributions of women Veterans both during and after their military service. This inaugural event honored 15 women Veterans across various military branches.

CWV continued this tradition for 2021 and 2023. In 2023, CWV’s “Women Making a Difference” initiative received an overwhelming 394 nomination packages, when it ultimately selected 19 women Veterans for recognition—including two posthumous awards—highlighting their extraordinary work across various fields.

Sharing stories of impact

The Trailblazer campaign is more than just recognition—it’s a powerful medium to share women Veterans’ unique experiences and contributions. The stories shared through this initiative shine a light on how their military service has paved the way for continued leadership and advocacy within their communities.

If you are a woman Veteran Trailblazer or know one who is making a difference, now is the perfect time to step into the spotlight. The Center for Women Veterans is ready to celebrate and share your story.

For more information and to access the application, please visit VA’s Center for Women Veterans website. Together, let’s celebrate the remarkable women forging impactful paths after their military service.