Center for Women Veterans (CWV)

VA announces the 2025 Center for Women Veterans Trailblazers “Women Veterans Forging a Path” initiative seeking to recognize women who have served and separated from military service, making significant impacts on the lives of Veterans, their families, or caregivers.

Nomination Procedures

Please submit all requested materials.

• Nomination form
• Nominee’s recent professional photo
• A one-page summary of why the women Veteran meets the definition above of a Trailblazer and how she is continuing to serve others
• CWV Trailblazer Code of Conduct form (nominee’s signature required)

Email or Mail the complete nomination package and or questions to:

1. Nomination form
2. vacocwvtrailblazers@va.gov ATTN: Ms. Ana Claudio – 2025 CWV Trailblazer
3. Center for Women Veterans, ATTN: Ms. Ana Claudio (2025 CWV Trailblazer), 810 Vermont Ave NW, Washington DC, 20420

Deadline for the 2025 Center for Women Veteran Trailblazers Initiative is Wednesday, October 30, 2024. Nominations received after this deadline and previously selected Trailblazers will not be considered. The nominee must have been honorably discharged.

The 2025 Center for Women Veterans Trailblazers will be announced during Women’s History Month (March 2025).

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.