04/26/2026
Dear Sister Veterans,
For months, the Center has been planning to make sure that you, our women Veterans are given the greatest support from the VA that can be given.
The last summit was here in Washington DC and only attracted 1,000 women Veterans. And while many would say that this was great, (and it was) when we have to look out for two million women Veterans, that told me that we have a lot of work to do.
Coming to DC was not always easy for everyone to get here, it may have been expensive to travel, costly to eat, tough to navigate the Metro trains and if you wanted to see a show or visit a museum…there went your shoe and candy money.
We’re Coming to You, Meeting You Where You Are.
So, we thought long and hard and heard the direction of the VA Secretary and his words of “meeting the Veterans where they are.”
And then I thought of these words: “you can’t expect to change things if you don’t actually change things.”
With that being said, the Center for Women Veterans (CWV) in partnership with the Office of Women’s Health (OWH) is launching a never been done before initiative called the Women Veterans Enrollment Initiative, “Boots on the Ground for Boots on the Ground,” Five Regional Summits!
Instead of you coming to the summits, the summits will come to you and with it, .. all of the VA!
What you’re going to get!
Each summit will provide an opportunity for sister Veterans to meet with representatives of VA and discuss issues related to their needs in the areas of employment, whole health, mental health, military sexual trauma, su***de prevention, entrepreneurial resources, and end of life planning, among other areas of focus. You will have an opportunity to meet face to face with VA Claims Representatives to submit new or increase disability claims related to service-connected conditions.
The Southwest Summit will provide valuable engagement and enrollment opportunities for transitioning servicewomen and their families located on the surrounding state military installations so that they will be familiar with their benefits, claims and pre-need services before they leave their posts and retire. The summits will also focus on educating and assisting returning citizens to ensure that they know that they have a community.
An Invitation to ALL Women Who Served.
Each summit will provide an opportunity for you (ALL WOMEN WHO HAVE SERVED) to meet with representatives of the VA.
Why Does This Matter?
We know that more than one million women Veterans who have served, still feel uncomfortable with and disconnected from the VA which was put in place to support your health needs, well-being, and long-term success. The CWV and the OWH are here to help you change that.
But We Will Need Your Help….
Better than I do, you know where our sister Veterans are that need care and support the most. They are those of us that still don’t see themselves as Veterans…they are Veterans because they have served.
They are the women in your communities that run the community centers, they are the teachers, the beauty shop owners, they are moms, they are architects, they are police officers, they are business owners, (you get the idea) and all of our needs are different, everyone may not need or want healthcare as they may already have it, others may want access to the G.I. Bill and so on.
Many may want to consider taking a look at Pre-needs or memorial services, it’s the best way to give yourself and your family peace of mind. (I know it did for me). But we are all are looking for a sense of community, and this is where it starts.
By planes, trains and automobiles (and buses), take your Battle Buddy by the hand and bring them to the summit.
There is no cost to register…you… just… have… to… get… there!
No one who served can be left behind.
What You Have to Look Forward To.
This initiative will be made up of five regional summits throughout the United States and will begin in the southwest region in San Antonio, Texas to be joined by women Veterans from Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma.
The southwest summit has the potential to reach 342,208 women Veterans at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center on Friday, July 24, 2026, and Saturday, July 25, 2026. The final summit will take place in May 2027 with a date and location to be determined.
We have served, we have sacrificed, and we have earned every benefit available to us, now it’s time to claim it, together.
Don’t come alone… bring your Battle Buddy. When one of us shows up, we all move forward. We want you to trust and choose the VA.
This is more than a summit…
We’ll see You There!
Jacquie Hayes-Byrd
Executive Director, Center for Women Veterans
REGISTER HERE: https://whova.com/portal/registration/bIpBmx5GL4oTJcmYk45h/
