(Richmond) Virginia will honor, recognize and celebrate the contributions of the thousands of women who have served and continue to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during
Virginia Women Veterans Week, March 15-21, 2026.
This is the ninth consecutive year that the Commonwealth of Virginia has recognized the third week of March as Virginia Women Veterans Week.
The 2026 theme is “She Leads the Legacy: Trailblazers in Motion” and highlights those women veterans who have paved the way and continue to provide leadership in their communities.
The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) will host a special Virginia Women Veterans Recognition Ceremony at 11 a.m., Wednesday, March 18 at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond. The ceremony will include guest speakers, tributes to Virginia women veterans, and the presentation of Virginia Women Veteran lapel pins to all women veterans in attendance.
Members of the public and especially women veterans are invited and encouraged to attend the Virginia Women Veterans Recognition Ceremony. There is no charge to attend. The Virginia War Memorial is located at 621 South Belvidere Street, Richmond, Va. 23220.
“We are proud that Virginia remains a leader in honoring the contributions of women veterans and that the Virginia Department of Veterans Services was a pioneer in recognizing the unique challenges and opportunities women veterans face when they transition from military service to civilian life,” said DVS Commissioner John Maxwell.
“Our Commonwealth is proudly home to over 110,000 women veterans,” noted Neikesha Thompson, Women Veteran Liaison at DVS and U.S. Army combat veteran. “This is the largest percentage of women veterans per population size of any state – and thousands more women currently serve in Virginia in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Reserves. Virginia Women Veterans Week and this special recognition ceremony are a heartfelt tribute from all Virginians of their courage, dedication and resilience.”
Following the Recognition Ceremony, there will be a Virginia Women Veterans luncheon at the Virginia War Memorial. As seating for the luncheon is limited, pre-registration to attend the luncheon is required. Those who wish to attend both the recognition ceremony and luncheon may register here. Those who wish to attend the recognition ceremony only can register here. Registrants simply need to select one option upon registration. The deadline for registration is March 13, 2026.
For more information about Virginia Women Veterans Week 2026, please visit www.dvs.virginia.gov.
