Walking in Recognition, Standing in Support of Women Veterans
- Dr. Simone Lundquist
- Jul 31
- 3 min read
On June 12, Open Doors to Future Possibilities brought veterans, local leaders, community organizations and supporters together in San Jose for a Women Veterans Day Walk and Community Resource Fair honoring the service, leadership and sacrifices of women veterans.
Women Veterans Recognition Day commemorates the signing of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act on June 12, 1948. The law granted women the right to serve as permanent members of the United States Armed Forces. Yet women had already served throughout the nation’s history—taking on critical roles during times of war and conflict, often without receiving the recognition they deserved.
The day is not intended to create a separate Veterans Day for women. It calls attention to a history too often overlooked and recognizes women veterans as an essential and growing part of the veteran community. As the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has acknowledged, many women who served still struggle to be recognized, respected and valued as veterans in civilian life.
That is why Open Doors chose to mark the day by walking.
A Walk with Purpose
The evening began with remarks from Open Doors Founder Dr. Simone Lundquist and local, county and federal leaders, including Santa Clara County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg, and U.S. Representative Zoe Lofgren.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Lundquist reflected on the generations of women who stepped forward to serve, broke barriers and continued carrying the mission even when their contributions went unseen.
“Today, women make up one of the fastest-growing demographics in the veteran community,” Dr. Lundquist said. “We are here to make sure they are seen, honored and celebrated.”
Participants then walked approximately 0.8 miles along The Alameda in solidarity with women veterans. The walk served as both a tribute and a visible demonstration of community support.
As Dr. Lundquist explained, the decision to walk was intentional. Putting one foot in front of the other reflects what women veterans have done throughout history: moving forward through barriers, deployments and adversity, and continuing to lead and serve their communities after leaving the military.
“Every step we take today is a tribute to that resilience,” she said. “We are walking to honor the history they made, to support the journeys they’re on right now and to pave a smoother path for the next generation of women who will answer the call to serve.”
Recognition Must Be Followed by Support
Honoring women veterans requires more than recognizing their service on one day each year. It also means listening to their experiences and helping ensure they can access the support, opportunities and respect they have earned.
Following the walk, attendees connected with 15 community organizations offering employment, education, wellness, legal, housing, food access and other services for veterans and their families. Participating organizations included NPower, Veterans Total Wellness, Silicon Valley Open Doors Lions Club, Martha’s Kitchen, Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence and Second Harvest Food Bank.
The Community Resource Fair reflected an important part of Open Doors’ mission: bringing people and organizations together so veterans and their families can more easily find meaningful, practical support.
For women veterans, that connection can be especially important. Despite their longstanding contributions, women are still sometimes mistaken for military spouses rather than recognized as veterans themselves. Others may feel isolated or overlooked after leaving the service.
The June 12 gathering created space for women veterans to be recognized not only for what they gave while wearing the uniform, but also for who they are today: leaders, professionals, caregivers, advocates and valued members of the community.
“To the women veterans standing with us today: Thank you,” Dr. Lundquist said. “Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for showing us what strength looks like. You stood up for our freedom, and today, this community stands up for you.”
Continuing to Walk Together
Women Veterans Recognition Day reminds us that visibility matters—but recognition must lead to action.
Open Doors remains committed to helping veterans and their families build stronger, healthier futures through education, counseling, resource connections and community support. Events like the Women Veterans Day Walk demonstrate what is possible when public leaders, nonprofit organizations, volunteers and community members come together around that commitment.
The walk may have lasted less than a mile, but its message extends much further: women veterans deserve to be seen, heard, respected and supported throughout every stage of their lives.
Open Doors is grateful to every veteran, speaker, community partner, volunteer and participant who joined us. Together, we walked in recognition of the women who served—and in support of the journeys still ahead.
Learn more about the history and purpose of Women Veterans Recognition Day through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
