 Nominations Now Open!
The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs 2022 Woman Veteran of the Year nominations are now open.
To complete the nomination form online click here!
Starting in 2008, the WDVA has annually recognized women veterans who have compiled records of exemplary service as a military service member, a veteran, and an outstanding member of the community.
Veterans, family members, friends, veterans service organizations, County and Tribal Veteran Service Officers, other veterans groups, and those in the community are encouraged to submit nominations to be considered in this year's process.
The 2022 Woman Veteran of the Year will be selected by a panel based on a set of criteria.
Nominations will be accepted until September 30, 2022. Questions about the nomination process should be directed to WomenVets@dva.wisconsin.gov.
Ashley Smits -
Woman Veteran Quarterly Impact Awardee!
The Wisconsin Women Veteran Quarterly Impact Award is awarded to honor a woman veteran who has greatly influenced and impacted their community. Through challenges big and small, they have effected change and have helped move Wisconsin women veterans forward.
WDVA is honored to announce that Staff Sergeant Ashley Smits (Veteran, US Air Force) is the most recent Wisconsin Woman Veteran Quarterly Impact Awardee of 2022.
Ashley Smits served in the Air Force for 8 years from 2005-2014 as a Staff Sergeant (E-5). She graduated from basic at Lackland AFB and went to training at Keesler AFB, MS shortly after Hurricane Katrina. She spent time cleaning up the base and even working with Extreme Makeover: Home Edition to help the locals rebuild the area. Her first assignment was at Ramstein AB in Germany (2006-2009) where she worked on computers at the Air Force Consolidated Helpdesk. In 2009, she returned to Lackland AFB and worked at the Cryptologic Systems Division on Security Hill (2009-2014). During her time here, she won the Client Systems Outstanding NCO of the Year at the MAJCOM level. She went TDY to MacDill AFB (2011-2012) and worked at CENTCOM HQ supporting the CC Comm Team and managing all communications in the CENTCOM AOR. Her awards consist of an AF Achievement Medal and Joint Service Achievement Medal.
In 2019, she started the Manitowoc County Veterans group to bring Veterans together with the idea of Camaraderie and Unity at home. It started with coffee and conversation and expanded to Veterans night outs and quarterly get-togethers with families such as bowling, axe throwing and mini golf. She has organized a food drive and provided Veteran families in need with the Christmas they deserve. She has provided gas cards for Veterans to get to and from medical appointments, home help for a Veteran that had surgery, and cut grass for an elderly veteran.
The group meets regularly in Manitowoc on the 4th Tuesday of the month from 5-7pm at the Sharon S Richardson Community Hospice Conference Room located at 4411 Calumet Ave. She has brought in speakers such as Ryan Lonergan, the host of Fragout Podcast, Brian Eisch, from the Netflix documentary Father Solider Son, and even Kevin Hermening, who was a POW during the Iran Hostage Crisis.
The group gives Veterans an outlet and lets them know that they are not alone even after service. The group is completely volunteer run by Ashley.
Ashley works for Manitowoc County as a Systems Administrator primarily supporting the Sheriff's Office IT needs.
One of the Air Force’s core values is Service Before Self that she continues to uphold in her community
Congratulations Ashley Smits!
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