Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: Empowering Women Veterans

From the earliest days of the United States, women have stepped forward to serve — often without recognition, but always with courage. Their stories form a long, unbroken line of determination that stretches from the Revolutionary War to the present day. At the 8th Annual Women Veterans Conference in Lynchburg, that legacy was not only remembered — it was lived.

The women who gathered in Lynchburg stood on the shoulders of those who came before them. They carried forward a tradition shaped by figures like Mary Ludwig Hays, who braved cannon fire at Monmouth during the Revolutionary War; Deborah Sampson, who disguised herself as a man to enlist in the Continental Army; Mary Edwards Walker, the Civil War surgeon and Medal of Honor recipient; the “Hello Girls,” female switchboard operators bilingual in English and French who assisted the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War I; and the more than 350,000 women who served in World War II. Each generation expanded the boundaries of what women could do in uniform, often at great personal cost.

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Today’s women veterans know this history intimately. Many spoke of it with reverence, gratitude, and a sense of responsibility.

“We’re here because someone before us refused to sit on the sidelines,” one attendee said. “The least we can do is honor that courage by showing up for each other.”

The conference was filled with that spirit — a blend of remembrance, celebration, and forward momentum. Women from every branch and era since the mid-20th century gathered not only to honor the past but to strengthen the bonds of the present. Some served in Korea or Vietnam as nurses who worked just behind the front lines. Others deployed to the Gulf War, Iraq, or Afghanistan, where nearly 300,000 women served and earned more than 10,000 combat-related awards. Still others entered the military after the 2013 removal of the combat exclusion rule, stepping into roles once closed to women.

Their stories are different, but their motivations often echo one another.

“I served because I wanted to give back to a country that gave me opportunities my mother and grandmother never had,” said a Navy veteran attending her third conference.

“I come every year because this is my tribe,” another woman explained. “We lift each other up. We remind each other that our service mattered — and still matters.”

That sense of community was strengthened by organizations committed to supporting women veterans long after their military service ends. Among them was AARP Virginia, represented by Elsie Flood, the AARP volunteer for the southwest region of Virginia. Flood — an Army veteran herself — served on the planning committee for the conference and hosted a resource table filled with information tailored specifically for veterans. Her presence underscored AARP's ongoing commitment to empower veterans with tools, knowledge, and support systems that enhance their quality of life. Flood was joined at the conference by other AARP volunteers including Connie Scaggs who serves on AARP Virginia's Executive Council.  Many attendees stopped by her table, grateful for the practical guidance and the camaraderie of a fellow veteran who continues to serve.