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The WVWV Blog

Women Veterans, Civic Engagement, and HER Arizona 250

jessicarozaveteran
22 hours ago
2 min read

West Valley Women Veterans was proud to participate in the HER Arizona 250 Summit, joining women from across the state for a conversation about civic engagement, community leadership, and the role women continue to play in shaping Arizona.


Hosted by HER Arizona 250, the Summit explored how women can strengthen Arizona’s civic fabric through Heritage, Engagement, and Responsibility and highlighted practical ways women can make a difference in their communities.


We were honored to table at the event and share the mission of West Valley Women Veterans while connecting with women leaders, organizations, and community members from across Arizona.


Learning From Arizona Women Leaders


The Summit featured an incredible group of Arizona leaders who brought perspectives from civic engagement, public service, philanthropy, advocacy, and community leadership:


  • Jane Andersen, Arizona Director, Mormon Women for Ethical Government

  • Laura Terech, Executive Director, Arizona America250 Commission

  • Reyna Montoya, Founder & CEO, Aliento

  • Anna María Chávez, President & CEO, Arizona Community Foundation

  • Dana Lewis, Pinal County Recorder (US Air Force Veteran)


Their conversations reinforced something central to our Learn & Lead  and Sisters In Service pillars at West Valley Women Veterans: leadership does not begin or end with a title.


There are countless ways to serve a community, from volunteering and sharing our experiences to participating in civic life, mentoring others, advocating for an issue, or simply helping our neighbors become more connected and informed.


For women veterans, that message is especially meaningful. Our commitment to service does not end when we take off the uniform. Women veterans continue to lead, volunteer, advocate, build organizations, raise families, serve in public office, support fellow veterans, and strengthen communities throughout Arizona.



Making Sure Women Veterans Are Part of Arizona's Story


As Arizona joins the national commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, we also have an opportunity to think about whose stories are preserved and passed on to future generations.


Women have always played an important role in shaping Arizona, including the thousands of women who have served our country in uniform.

Those stories deserve to be told.


HER Arizona 250's Citizen Stories initiative is collecting and highlighting stories of Arizona women whose leadership, service, advocacy, innovation, and community impact have helped shape our state.


We encourage women veterans to participate!


You can share your own story, recognize another woman veteran, or nominate a woman in your community whose contributions deserve to become part of Arizona's historical record.


Continuing to Learn, Lead, and Serve

West Valley Women Veterans created the Learn & Lead and Sisters in Service Program to expand opportunities for women veterans to build knowledge, develop leadership skills, and engage with the communities around them.


Participating in events like the HER Arizona 250 Summit is part of that commitment. Our military service is part of our story, but it is not where our contributions end. Women veterans are continuing to shape Arizona every day, and we want to make sure their voices, experiences, and service are represented as our state and nation reflect on the past 250 years and look toward what comes next.



 
 
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