By: Richard L. Smith
Women veterans across New Jersey were honored for their service and leadership during a special appreciation ceremony hosted by YWCA Northern New Jersey’s Operation Sisterhood on June 12 at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Florham Campus in Madison.
According to information released by YWCA Northern New Jersey, the annual Women Veterans Appreciation Day event brought together community leaders, elected officials, and advocates to recognize 12 exceptional women veterans and community figures.
The honorees were chosen through a public nomination process for their dedication to service and their alignment with YWCA’s mission of empowerment and equity.
Special acknowledgments were made by Assemblywoman Aura Dunn and State Senator Kristin Corrado, who praised the honorees and highlighted the critical role of women in military service.
A significant moment of the evening came during the State Medal Ceremony, held in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
Twelve women veterans, including two of YWCANNJ’s own honorees, received state-issued medals for their distinguished military service.
In a major announcement following the celebration, YWCANNJ revealed it had been awarded a $100,000 grant from Impact100 Garden State.
The funding will be used to expand Operation Sisterhood’s offerings, including mental health support, career readiness programs, and initiatives to strengthen community ties for women transitioning from military to civilian life.
“This generous support will allow us to deepen the impact of Operation Sisterhood and ensure women veterans receive the recognition and resources they deserve every day, not just during commemorative events,” said Helen Archontou, CEO of YWCA Northern New Jersey.
Launched in 2024, Operation Sisterhood is specifically designed to support the needs of women veterans, a growing population often overlooked in veteran services.
Lucy Del Gaudio, Equity Initiatives Specialist at YWCANNJ and a U.S. Army veteran, emphasized the importance of visibility and recognition: “This event is about making sure these extraordinary women are seen and celebrated.”
Women Veterans Appreciation Day is observed annually on June 12 in New Jersey to mark the 1948 passage of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act.
With over 2 million women veterans in the U.S. today—a number expected to rise to 18% of the total veteran population by 2040—Operation Sisterhood continues its mission to advocate for more equitable support for women who served.