The 2024 National Women Veterans Leadership and Diversity Conference was momentous for a number of reasons – not least of which was an official letter sent to WVIF from President Joe Biden. Read aloud by Air Force Veteran and Senior Advisor for the White House Office of Public Engagement, Dr. Tahina Montoya, this Presidential Letter wasn’t just a ceremonial gesture—it was a significant acknowledgment of WVIF’s impact in serving Women Veterans.
Why the Presidential Letter Matters
Receiving a letter from the President of the United States was an extraordinary accomplishment. Dr. Montoya explained that organizations who receive such a letter do so only after rigorous consideration.
“The organization must align with the President’s values, have a clear and purposeful mission, and demonstrate a tangible impact in the community,” she explained.
President Biden’s letter sends a powerful message to the American public about the critical importance of serving Women Veterans’ specific needs. As the largest growing population of Veterans, Women Veterans face unique challenges post-military, including those related to physical and mental health, financial stability, employment and more. The President’s letter recognizes WVIF as being at the forefront of solution-oriented organizations for Women Veterans.
“There’s value in recognizing the contributions of every service member,” Dr. Montoya said. “But it’s equally important to ensure the voices of underrepresented groups, including Women Veterans, are heard, celebrated, and supported.”
The Unique Role of WVIF
WVIF President and CEO, Ginger Miller, reflected on the significance of the Presidential Letter.
“It’s not just a piece of paper,” she said, explaining that recognition from the highest office in the country affirms that WVIF’s targeted, grassroots approach is vital to helping Women Veterans achieve post-military success.
Dr. Montoya described WVIF’s work as “tactical,” standing on the “front lines” of service and directly meeting Women Veterans where they are. This approach enables WVIF to respond quickly and effectively to their needs, she said.
Since its inception, WVIF has expanded services to meet Women Veterans’ evolving needs, including programs that address access to healthcare, empowerment, career development, transition assistance, homelessness prevention and crisis relief, honor and recognition, community support, and more:
- National Women Veterans Leadership and Diversity Conference
- National Women Veterans Pink and White Empowerment Summit
- Local Chapter Development
- State of Women Veterans Conference
- Operation Safety Net
- Beyond the Transition
- Sisters in Service Awards Gala
- Financial Literacy Events
- Women Veterans Transition Space
- Thanksgiving Turkey Drives
- Veterans Affairs Claims Clinics
- … and more
To Best Serve All Veterans
Dr. Montoya noted that it takes a dynamic and multilayered approach to best serve all Veterans’ needs. President Biden’s letter is a testament to the value of the entire spectrum of service, from large organizations with robust resources to “smaller organizations that do more targeted and deliberate work,” Dr. Montoya said.
Many large Veteran service organizations have been around for a century or more, and they have big member bases and extensive resources.
“The fact that WVI got a letter with being such a comparatively young organization, I think it speaks volumes of the work that’s being done,” Dr. Montoya added.
WVIF was established in 2011, and it currently has over 1,500 members across the nation, as well as four community-based chapters in three states and the District of Columbia.
Plans for the Future
Recognition from the President is not just a reflection of WVIF’s past achievements—it’s a call to action for the future. We all can and should stand up and do more to serve Women Veterans. After all, supporting the women who have served and sacrificed for our nation isn’t just a task for organizations like WVIF—it’s a collective responsibility for all of us.
We invite every American to ask themselves how they can contribute to the cause.
Whether it’s through donating, dedicating corporate sponsorship, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, there’s a role for everyone in supporting Women Veterans and ensuring they receive the recognition and resources they deserve. As the President shared in his letter, Women Veterans “represent the best in all of us.”
Engage with WVIF
At WVIF, our mission is you – the Women Veterans who have served and sacrificed for our country. Supporting you, connecting with you, and empowering you is our passion and our purpose. We welcome you to engage with our local chapters, find an event, and become a member in 2025.
Corporate sponsors play a vital role in ensuring that WVIF can provide adequate resources, enhance programs, and develop targeted services that meet Women Veterans’ needs. As we approach 2025, we are actively developing partnership opportunities for corporations that are committed to serving Women Veterans.
We are honored and grateful to have received President Biden’s letter.
And we are honored to serve Women Veterans every day. We echo the President’s words, “You are part of the reason I have never been more optimistic about our nation’s future.”