Women tell me they walk into a VA office and get asked where their husband is, as if he must be the veteran.
Women who have served often do not feel as recognized as veterans as men, by the people around them or sometimes by themselves.
This Veterans Day, the Redstone Rocket ran a story about Invisible Warriors. I want to share what I told them, because it says who we are and who we’re here for: women veterans in Alabama, active-duty women, and women first responders.
"Women who had served this country were coming home invisible."
How It Started
As a wife of a retired Marine, I walked into the veteran community, paid attention, and could not walk away. Women who had served this country were coming home invisible.
The push to do something more came after a car accident left me unable to bear weight for 18 months. Somewhere in that stretch, I woke up certain that I was meant to support other women, and I believe that came from God.
Who We’re Here For
Any woman veteran, active-duty woman, or woman first responder (firefighters, EMS, and the women who run toward the call) is welcome at an Invisible Warriors meeting.
We want to reach as many women as we can. We are a free organization. Members get a private place to talk with women who understand.
Right now, we have 65 active members.
Rally Point
Rally Point connects our veterans to VA benefits and claims help, housing, VSO appointments, and financial referrals. Then we follow up in 30 to 90 days to check progress.
This program reaches our veterans before a crisis. At the Marine Corps League National Convention in Indianapolis in August, we advocated directly for six women and started the VSO process for them. This year, we’ve helped more than 48 women through Rally Point.
Sisterhood
We meet monthly on the third Wednesday for fellowship. Her Service, Her Voice is our support group, led by women veterans, and it meets online and in person. We also get together for coffee talks and other chances to get to know one another.
Then there are our Beyond the Uniform retreats. The latest was in September. These retreats attract women from different branches and ranks. They receive a weekend away with other women who served.
"The retreat is where sisterhood happens in person. No uniforms, no ranks, no judgment. Some arrive never having met another woman veteran."
Recognition
In 2025, Gov. Kay Ivey issued a proclamation recognizing June 12 as Women Veterans Recognition Day, making Alabama the 21st state to do so. June 12 is also the night of our annual Silent No More Gala.
Our organization does not have any paid staff. We operate strictly on volunteers. Our operating money comes from grants, individual gifts, and our gala event. Most of what we do costs time, not dollars.
We’ve been asked to start chapters in Tennessee and Michigan. For now, our focus is Alabama and serving as many women as we can.
We just want them to get the recognition they deserve.
If you’re a woman veteran, an active-duty woman, or a woman first responder, come meet us. We meet monthly on the third Wednesday. Email me, and I’ll share the location.
You don’t have to do it alone. We are here with you.
Coming Home Invisible
Invisible Warriors
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