Stand Downs — especially women‑centered ones like those led by the National Women Veterans United (NWVU) on September 26, 2026— remain essential touchpoints during veterans’ critical transition and throughout their civilian lives. These events create safe, welcoming environments where veterans can access vital resources, connect with peers, receive trauma‑informed support, and be fully recognized for their service.
Stand Downs do more than help veterans “transition out.” They help them transition forward — with dignity, stability, and a strong community behind them.
The Numbers Underscores the Ongoing Need
The VA’s most recent national report shows that more than 2.1 million women veterans live in the United States today. Based on Department of Defense and Government Accountability Office data, an estimated 20,000–25,000 women leave the U.S. armed forces each year, making women the fastest‑growing segment of the veteran population.
In Illinois, a significant share of these women live in the greater Chicagoland region, where the women veteran population is estimated at 34,000 to 36,000.
These numbers underscore the ongoing need for peer‑to‑peer engagement and sustained private and public sector support for women‑centered programs. Women veterans often navigate unique experiences, challenges, and strengths as they build their post‑service lives. NWVU’s Women Centered Stand Downs directly respond to this reality by offering a safe, affirming space where women veterans can access resources, connect with peers, and receive support that honors their service and sacrifices.
Sisterhood and Strength Beyond Service
As the first and only Military Women Veterans Center in Illinois, the NWVU SGT Simone A. Robinson Military Women Veterans Center in Chicago stands as a vital hub for women veterans seeking connection, recognition, and guidance. The Center helps ensure women veterans are continually supported throughout every stage of their civilian journey, and a larger facility is now in the planning stages to better serve the growing women‑veterans population.
In addition, the organizing of a Rockford, Illinois chapter marks one of NWVU’s first steps toward building a One Voice, One Vision network of NWVU members and a coalition of women‑centered veterans organizations, helping ensure that women veterans have access to community, resources, and support no matter where they live.
Sisterhood and Strength Beyond Service remains NWVU’s enduring commitment: that every woman veteran’s journey is honored, supported, and never walked alone.
With respect and resolve,
Rochelle Crump
President/Founder
National Women Veterans United