Sandee Rodriguez, Author at Invisible Warriors

Women Who Shape the State 2026

by Sandee Rodriguez | Feb 14, 2026 | Invisible Warriors

Women Who Shape the State 2026

Alabama’s future is brighter because of the women who pour their talent, determination and hearts into building it. Brick by brick, literally and figuratively, they strengthen our communities and create lasting change across the state.

Like the trailblazers who came before them, the 2026 Women Who Shape the State class represents a diverse group of educators, innovators, healthcare champions, business leaders, nonprofit founders and community advocates — all united by a shared commitment of creating a better Alabama.

Whether improving access to vital services, championing young people, supporting families, founding groundbreaking businesses or enriching Alabama’s cultural landscape, each woman has made a lasting mark on the people and communities they serve. And it shows — as it was their own communities who nominated them for this honor after witnessing firsthand the progress they’ve made in helping to drive our state forward.

This is Alabama will celebrate these remarkable leaders at the Women Who Shape the State luncheon, presented by Inline Lighting, on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at The Club in Birmingham.

This year’s keynote speaker is Lulu Gribbin — high school student, shark attack survivor, adaptive athlete and youth advocate — whose bravery and determination has inspired people across the state and around the globe. AL.com’s Ivana Hrynkiw will serve as host for the event.

Join us as we celebrate the women shaping Alabama’s future.

Credit: This is Alabama post

WHNT Channel 19 Interview

Why does Invisible Warriors exist? “Nancy often accompanied her husband, Ed Becher, a retired Marine Corps Master Sergeant, to his VA appointments and American Legion meetings. She said it was there that she learned of the unique challenges women veterans face, despite never serving herself.” From an interview on WHNT Channel 19 in Huntsville featuring her before the awards ceremony. You can view the article and video of the interview HERE.

Nancy’s Experience

Several months ago, I received a notification that I had been nominated for one of the 25 women who shaped the state of Alabama in 2026. Ed and I went down to Birmingham on Wednesday, March 4, to stay overnight so we could arrive on time the next day for the event because we live 2 1/2 hours away.

When we walked into the room on Thursday, we were greeted by about 150 men and women. The first part of the day was a networking event where we all talked and introduced ourselves. We enjoyed hors d’oeuveres and champagne while we got acquainted.

Then we all went out and had our picture taken as a group. After the picture, we sat at tables in a different room to enjoy a nice lunch.

Each woman being honored had previously had a video created about her and her accomplishments that also told about their organization. There were teachers, nonprofits, government officials, corporation managers – it was a very diverse group of women. As each video was shown, the woman being honored went up to the front to receive her award.

It was an awesome time with all of us becoming friends with each other, congratulating each other, talking about and celebrating each other’s efforts, and remarking on how much the State of Alabama needed each one of us. It was an incredible experience!

Nancy Becher is the Founder and Executive Director of Invisible Warriors, where her work is rooted in impact, service, and hope. Her proudest achievement is establishing the Huntsville Military Women’s Community Center, including flagship programs such as the Recharge, Reconnect, Remember Retreats and the Come to the Table Resource Workshops. To date, these programs have served more than 300 women, including participants who have moved from crisis to connection—one woman from the first retreat had previously been flagged for suicide by the VA and now finds hope and community through the program.

Guided by the belief to “allow yourself to feel the lows, then reorient toward positivity,” she draws inspiration from those who choose courage over despair. Becher hopes her legacy is one of empowering women veterans and other women to lead with courage, value their voices, and access the opportunities they deserve—building sustainable programs, strong communities, and lasting impact that honors the contributions of women who served.

Nancy will be highlighted on the This is Alabama Facebook page HERE on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 with PeggyLee Wright. Congratulations, Nancy!

See All the State Honorees

Women Who Shape the State 2026

Invisible Warriors

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Or click the button below to schedule a meeting with Founder Nancy Becher!

Schedule a meeting with Nancy

I Didn’t Know This Was Trauma Until Years Later

by Sandee Rodriguez | Jan 26, 2026 | Invisible Warriors

I Didn’t Know This Was Trauma Until Years Later – Amanda’s Story

I was in Turkey for Operation Northern Watch. We were told plainly: not everyone wants us there. Watch your back, especially off base.

At the time, I thought I understood where my trauma came from. I knew the sexual assault I experienced there left deep marks, and it did. I never questioned that.

What I didn’t recognize, what I brushed aside for years, was how much being in a hazard duty zone shaped me, too.

I was the only consistent medical person deployed with my squadron. We had two flight surgeons assigned to our air wing, but each was only there for about two weeks. Over the course of the deployment, I had a flight surgeon for a total of four weeks, while other squadrons deploying to Turkey and Saudi Arabia had a flight surgeon with them for the entire time.

That meant continuity fell to me. The responsibility didn’t rotate. If something happened, I was the one who knew the people, the patterns, the histories. I was the one always there.

It wasn’t a declared combat zone. There were no daily firefights, no clear front lines. So I minimized it. I told myself it “didn’t count.” Compared to others, I thought I had no right to name it.

But living with constant warnings, constant vigilance, and the unspoken understanding that danger was always possible rewired something in me. The scanning. The tension. They are never fully relaxing. The way my body learned to stay alert, even when my mind tried to move on.

Years later, I realized my hypervigilance didn’t come from one moment alone. It came from existing in a place where safety was conditional, danger was unspoken but understood, and responsibility never truly turned off.

I didn’t know then that this, too, was trauma.

That delayed understanding is one of the reasons I am part of Invisible Warriors. I believe deeply in the mission of Invisible Warriors. Too many military women and women veterans carry experiences they minimize, dismiss, or don’t recognize as trauma until years later.

Invisible Warriors exists to name those experiences, to create space where women can unpack what followed them home, and to remind us that trauma doesn’t have to be visible, extreme, or immediate to be real.

I didn’t know this was trauma until years later.

No woman should have to wait that long to understand what shaped her or to know she’s not alone.

I Didn’t Know This Was Trauma Until Years Later

Invisible Warriors

Want to know more about Invisible Warriors? Sign up for our newsletter to receive regular updates. Contact us HERE.
Or click the button below to schedule a meeting with Founder Nancy Becher!

Schedule a meeting with Nancy

Deborah Mallow and the Gratitude Jar

by Sandee Rodriguez | Dec 30, 2025 | Invisible Warriors

Deborah Mallow and the Gratitude Jar

Episode overview

In this episode, Deborah Mallow, a motivational speaker and “ray of sunshine,” shares practical ways to choose happiness, interrupt negative thinking, and bring more light into everyday life. A central theme is the power of simple tools—like a gratitude jar—to retrain the brain to notice what is going right instead of what is wrong.

About Deborah Mallow

Deborah is a positive energy and success coach who helps people shift out of self-sabotage and chronic negativity.
She is the author of “6 Steps to Fewer Days That Suck,” where she offers stories, strategies, and science-backed tips for cultivating a more uplifting mindset.

Key topics discussed

Negativity bias and the brain: How the brain’s ancient focus on problems and danger creates more “bad days” than necessary, and what it takes to interrupt that pattern.
Being personally considerate: Treating yourself with the same kindness you offer others and replacing harsh self-talk with more supportive thoughts.
Small daily practices: Simple habits—like dancing to a favorite song or using a “make me smile” box—that help your nervous system shift toward calm, joy, and resilience.

The gratitude jar practice

Deborah explains the gratitude jar: writing one good thing each day on a slip of paper and dropping it into a jar to create a visible record of what’s going well.
On tough days, pulling out a few slips offers concrete reminders that life holds many moments of joy, connection, and progress, even when current circumstances feel heavy.

Practical takeaways

Start with one small shift: notice when your mind spirals into worst-case scenarios and gently ask, “What would I rather be thinking right now?”
Create your own happiness tools: a gratitude jar, a smile box, or a short list of “go-to” feel-good activities to use when your mood dips.
Remember that you have more control over your daily happiness than you think; your choices and focus can steadily lead to fewer days that “suck.”

Deborah Mallow and the Gratitude Jar

Invisible Warriors

Want to know more about Invisible Warriors? Sign up for our newsletter to receive regular updates. Contact us HERE. Or click the button below to schedule a meeting with Founder Nancy Becher!

Thanksgiving Bash

by Sandee Rodriguez | Nov 6, 2025 | Events

Thanksgiving Bash

Before the hustle of Thanksgiving week begins, Invisible Warriors is inviting women veterans, their families, and friends to gather for a heartfelt Friendsgiving Celebration at the Huntsville Military Women’s Community Center, located at 140 Research Blvd., Madison, AL, on Saturday, November 22 from 12 PM to 4 PM.

This community meal is more than turkey and trimmings — it’s a table where stories, laughter, and new connections are served up in equal portions. Sponsored by Inspirations by Robin and Rocket City Rocks Boxing Club, the afternoon will feature great food, family-friendly activities, and a chance to meet the remarkable women who have served our nation.

“Many women veterans don’t realize how many sisters-in-arms live right here in North Alabama,” said Nancy Becher, Executive Director of Invisible Warriors. “This Friendsgiving is our way of saying, you belong here. We’re celebrating their service and reminding them — and our community — that no one heals or celebrates alone.”

The event is open to all, and media outlets are encouraged to attend and meet the women shaping a new chapter of community and connection for military families in the Tennessee Valley.

Sign Me Up!

Thanksgiving Bash

Invisible Warriors

Want to know more about Invisible Warriors? Sign up for our newsletter to receive regular updates. Contact us HERE. Or click the button below to schedule a meeting with Founder Nancy Becher!

Story & Lesson Highlights with Nancy Becher of Huntsville

by Sandee Rodriguez | Oct 17, 2025 | Invisible Warriors

Story & Lesson Highlights with Nancy Becher of Huntsville

by: Bold Journey

Posted: October 15, 2025

The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shape our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
From September 25–28, Grand Oak Retreat in Scottsboro, AL, hosted the first of what Invisible Warriors hopes will be many retreats for women veterans. This was a safe space where women who’ve served our country could simply breathe, connect, and be heard.

For many attendees, the toll of military life lingers as Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) and Military Sexual Trauma (MST). The Department of Veterans Affairs notes that MST affects nearly 1 in 3 women veterans, and that women are twice as likely as men to develop PTS. Numbers like these aren’t abstract; they’re people, strong, brave people who deserve community, care, and a real shot at healing.

What I found most powerful about this weekend wasn’t the activities (though they were meaningful): it was the quiet moments when someone spoke honestly about her darkest days, and the group responded with listening, affirmation, and practical steps forward. As an Invisible Warriors spokesperson put it, “Isolation makes trauma worse. These retreats remind women veterans that they are not alone, that healing happens in community.”

A few moments that stayed with me:

One veteran, who had been red-flagged for suicide attempts five times, shared that she no longer feels the urge to harm herself. “Now I know there are others who care, who will show up if I call. I’m not alone anymore,” she said—tears and hope in the same breath.

Another attendee found the courage to pursue stability by filing for disability benefits. With peer encouragement, she completed her intent-to-file paperwork before the weekend ended, taking a concrete step toward the support she earned through service.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Drawing from her own experiences and educational background—including a Master’s in Counseling and a Ph.D. (ABD) in Sociology from Western Michigan University—Nancy works with women veterans and others facing invisible disabilities like PTSD and MST. As an International #1 bestselling author, certified Peer Support Specialist, and Chaplain, she founded Invisible Warriors to provide resources, training, and support that help military women recognize their worth and potential. Nancy continues to expand her skills as a Mental Health Coach, staying committed to breaking cycles of loss and empowering others through her work. You can reach her at Nancy@InvisibleWarriors.org.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Watching the vast number of women veterans who have given so much of themselves and their lives to support our country, yet seeing them dismissed, undervalued, and treated as less worthy than their male counterparts—that fundamentally changed how I see the world. These women served with the same dedication and sacrifice, but their struggles, especially with invisible wounds like PTS and MST, are often overlooked or minimized. Witnessing that disparity opened my eyes to how much work needs to be done to ensure women veterans receive the recognition, support, and care they’ve earned. It’s what drives everything I do with Invisible Warriors—making sure these women know they matter and that their service counts just as much as anyone else’s.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Almost daily, honestly. Fighting against the unjust actions around us, the lack of support from society, and even from those who should care most about these women—it wears on you. There are moments when it feels like you’re pushing against an impossible weight. But then something happens that reminds me God is watching. A breakthrough, a connection, someone’s life changing—these moments show me there’s still hope, still support, and that the world is still fundamentally a good place. Those reminders keep me going, even on the hardest days.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. What you see is what you get. I don’t have the energy to pretend to be someone I’m not—this work is too important and too personal for that. My passion for supporting women veterans comes directly from my own experiences and what I’ve witnessed. The struggles, the frustrations, even the moments of doubt I share publicly—they’re all real. I believe authenticity is essential in this work because the women I serve need to know I truly understand, that I’ve been in the trenches too. So yes, the public Nancy is the real Nancy—flawed, determined, and completely committed to this mission.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m doing what I was born to do. This wasn’t the path anyone laid out for me or told me to follow—it found me through my own experiences and the injustices I couldn’t ignore. When you witness women who’ve sacrificed so much being dismissed and undervalued, you can’t just look away. This work chose me as much as I chose it. Everything in my life—my education, my struggles, my faith—has led me here. Supporting women veterans and those with invisible disabilities isn’t just a job or a calling someone handed me; it’s woven into who I am. I finally feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, doing exactly what I’m meant to do.

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