Each June we honor the contribution and sacrifices of women who served in the military. June 12 is Women Veterans Recognition Day and marks the anniversary of the signing of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948. This act allowed women to serve as permanent members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

To celebrate the women Veterans working at the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA), we reached out to several employees about the significance of Women Veterans Recognition Day and how they continue to support women Veterans.

Kathy Marshik has been at MDVA for nearly three years. She’s a Field Operations Trainer who provides training to all 87 County Veterans Service Offices in Minnesota. Additionally, she provides training to MDVA employees, VA Healthcare team members, and outside entities who want to learn more about Veterans benefits. She provides the training online and in person. Kathy also serves as a mentor and coach for new County Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) – as she puts them through a rigorous training program for their first 12 to 24 months.

“This was the perfect fit,” Kathy says about coming to MDVA. “Being retired from the Army, an Iraq Veteran and Veterans Service Officer, I wanted to share my skills and knowledge with Veterans. I have always been a person who loves to share knowledge and inform people through training – helping improve the lives of our Veterans and their families.”

Why is it important to recognize Women Veterans?

I am a Veteran and my daughter is also a Veteran. Helping female Veterans is near and dear to my heart—as we have both lived the military life, deployed and made many sacrifices. Being full time military for 21 years, I personally knew the struggles of being a service member and a Veteran. As a VSO, I heard so many heart-warming stories from female Veterans. I assisted them through so many barriers and challenges to enhance their lives in a variety of ways.

Being a female Veteran is hard; there is constant competition with male Veterans in the military. Women must work hard to prove themselves. They often face harassment, assault and mistreatment. I would love to think it’s getting better, but through the stories I hear from female Veterans, it’s still a very difficult world for females in the military. It's my deep personal desire to help motivate women and connect them to as many resources and benefits as possible.

Sometimes women Veterans just need someone to listen to them as they move through their journeys of navigating appropriate health care, mental health services, compensation, education and employment services. My knowledge and expertise help others navigate these items more smoothly. Half the battle is knowing what is available and how to connect to the things women have earned through their service. Women are strong, compassionate, hard-working and dedicated Veterans. Being in a position to influence women to be their very best is so delightful. Every time I hear about or see a success story, it truly warms my heart.

Describe a role model and how they influenced you.

I have had many female Veterans who I look up to as role models. I can’t just pick one in particular! My daughter is among these women. She holds a very rigorous and difficult position in the military. One that is in a male-dominated role. She constantly excels in her leadership, work ethic and knowledge to be a successful female service member. She constantly dedicates herself to learning and doing things most women could only dream of. She’s raising a family, works full time and furthered her higher education all at the same time. I have met many female Veterans who juggle these same things: deployments, raising a family, working full time, fulfilling all their military missions, civilian employment and education. Many of my very close friends are or were high-ranking women in the military. Their path to achieve all their goals left very little time for themselves. They sacrificed so much to be the very best version of themselves. All while not only caring for their own family and friends—instead volunteering to do so much in their communities to help their fellow Veterans.

So many female Veterans groups are full of these outstanding women who dedicate their lives to serving others. They’re superheroes in my mind who are tireless and never stop giving. They’re inspiring and motivational. When I see women in the community, I see sacrifice, dedication, hard work ethic and organizational skills in leadership. They can move a mountain alone or build a team to always reach a goal quickly and effectively. They are used to making things happen using logistic experience from deployments and missions. It’s truly amazing what these women can accomplish in a little amount of time. I’m so inspired by these outstanding human beings. The best thing about a female Veteran is their care for others. It never ends and they ask for nothing in return.

How does your work at MDVA help make a difference for Women Veterans and for creating a welcoming, inclusive community?

Much like many of my roles in the military, there are few females in leadership. Through my work as a trainer of VSOs, I’m able to share my expertise on how to effectively work with female Veterans. I do weekly trainings and within those trainings I include discussions and information about how to work with our females. All our VSOs are Veterans. I’ve noticed many of the female service officers looking up to me and embracing my leadership to help them learn and grow as leaders as well. At many outreach events and informational sessions, I notice female Veterans feeling more comfortable working with me and embracing my guidance.

I do a lot of one-on-one meetings with women who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorders, health issues and military sexual trauma. I dedicate time to help them through difficult times, find appropriate support for their specific needs and obtain benefits and care. Knowing each person’s story is important. I have been through many of the same struggles and sometimes sharing my stories helps me as well as them! I am a member of several Veterans groups that focus on female Veterans and other Veterans as well. I enjoy connecting female Veterans with other women who have similar experiences. I’ve hosted fitness classes and wellness events—keeping that camaraderie of the military going. I’ve volunteered much of my personal time to help others over the years and it’s provided much joy and fulfillment for me.

Shannon Reyes is one of MDVA’s Northwest Regional Coordinators of Veterans Education. She works on several campuses in northern Minnesota helping Veterans get the education benefits they’ve earned. Bemidji State University is her home base. Relatively new to MDVA, Shannon started in July 2024. “I love it!” she says. “I love helping people go back to school, figuring out what they want to do, finding the funding for them—whether it’s federal, state or scholarships and grants. I like helping people to find ways to improve themselves. I want everyone to win big at life.”

Shannon was drawn to MDVA through life’s twists and turns. “I joined the Air Force after high school, intending to go to school for studio art after I served. I was a medical laboratory technician, with a focus on microbiology. Nine years later, I joined the Air National Guard and pursued a degree in Molecular Biology. I wanted to work with DNA and regenerative studies—revitalizing diseased tissue so transplants would no longer be necessary.”

She says she got married, stayed in Bemidji and decided to go to school to become a teacher. All the while she worked at the Bemidji State University Veterans Resource Center as a student worker. “Then I taught science, including chemistry, biology and physics. After three years and COVID, I was burnt out. I left teaching to pursue an art degree again. While being a substitute teacher, I worked on my art, taught art classes at Headwaters Music and Arts school in Bemidji and worked craft fairs selling my goods.”

Her plan was to leave on an epic adventure in October 2024 and spend a year on the road in a camper, traveling and painting national parks. However, life had a different plan. “I got a call from my former work study boss who told me an Education Coordinator position had opened, and I needed to apply. I did, and I got the job!”

Why is it important to recognize Women Veterans?

There are so many reasons. Women have served in the military throughout history, often unrecognized. It honors our commitment and validates our service and the sacrifice we have made for our country, people and families. Outdated gender stereotypes can be broken. I was in the store in uniform and a little boy said to his dad, “I didn’t know girls could be soldiers.” That was in 2019. We need to break stereotypes, gender “norms” and realize that anyone with enough passion, willingness and commitment can be great.

Describe a role model and how they influenced you.

Honestly, I did not really grow up with a positive role model. I grew up poor in a broken home, and had a lot of people in my life I knew I did not want to be like – those whose actions and behaviors showed me the kind of person I did not want to be. So, in a way, it was not the traditional guidance most people have, but it made me want to break the cycle.

I became a first-generation high school graduate, a first-generation college graduate and the only one of my siblings to do so. I will get my master’s and maybe a doctorate someday. I want to be someone I can be proud of, and I want to be the person I wish I had when I was growing up. I did not have a path to follow, so I made my own, and I still am.

How does your work at MDVA help make a difference for women Veterans and for creating a welcoming, inclusive community?

I think just being a woman in a male-dominated career field helps break down barriers. I am a role model and advocate for women Veterans, staff and future leaders. Women often have different needs and experiences than our male counterparts. I have worked with several single mothers, trying to make themselves better for their children, assisting with finding childcare, grants and scholarships, and more. I know the female resources that are available because I have had to use them myself.

I have been a lab tech, a mechanic, an electrician, a teacher, an artist and more. I want to help people and put beauty in the world. I want people to know that it’s OK to be not OK – and help them get to where they want to be. That’s what makes my current job so great. I help people go back to school and become a better version of themselves. Knowledge is power and knowing is half the battle.

Just two months into her role as Assistant Administrator of the Minnesota Veterans Homes - Minneapolis, Jacqueline Grimm brings a wealth of experience in quality improvement, regulatory compliance and servant leadership to the Home. Her approach reflects a deep commitment to excellence and compassion in Veteran care. Jacqueline actively contributes to multiple committees, including the Admissions Committee, helping to fulfill MDVA’s mission of serving Minnesota Veterans and their families. Jacqueline has extensive experience in long-term care and assisted living. “I understand the importance of helping seniors transition into new homes where they feel safe and supported. Helping Veterans find a home that provides quality care in a joyful environment is not just a responsibility—it is an honor!” As a proud Veteran, she brings empathy and purpose to her work every day.

Why is it important to recognize Women Veterans?

Recognizing women Veterans is essential because women began participating in official military service since the First World War. Unofficially, women contributed to the armed forces as spies, intelligence officers, mathematicians, medical personnel and many other integral roles—long before WWI. Today, women comprise approximately 25% of the U.S. military across all branches, including active duty, the National Guard and Reserves. Honoring their service not only affirms their individual sacrifices and achievements but also promotes gender equality and strengthens the integrity and unity of the American military.

Describe a role model and how they influenced you.

I have been fortunate to be surrounded by many remarkable role models throughout my personal, military and professional journey. My greatest role model is my mother. A selfless Latina single mother, she has had a profound influence on my life, instilling in me the values of honor, strength, compassion and integrity.

She supported my decision to join the Minnesota National Guard at the age of 17 and stood by me throughout my trainings and my 20-month deployment during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005-2007 with the 34th Red Bulls. Her encouragement and unwavering support helped shape my path forward leading to my goal of serving and advocating for others.

In addition to my mother, my grandmother provided inspiration. She was a strong woman who served in the United States Army Air Corps during WWII. I can’t forget my senior non-commissioned officers whose leadership, honor and mentorship have reinforced my courage and integrity. All have shown me the power of unity, inclusion and service. Each day I continue to learn from my husband, who is a Master Sergeant in the 34th Infantry Division Artillery, where he is a Senior Supply NCO who has dedicated more than 27 years to the Minnesota National Guard. He exemplifies the value of unwavering commitment, dedication and strength.

How does your work at MDVA help make a difference for Women Veterans and for creating a welcoming, inclusive community?

Through my role at MDVA, I strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of women Veterans by upholding the MDVA mission and that also values inclusiveness and recognizes the diverse experiences of all who have served. I am committed to fostering an environment that celebrates the contributions of women in uniform and ensures that every Veteran receives the respect, care and support they have earned.