Women Veterans Continue Their March Forward: National Movement Expands from Mobile to Richmond

What began as a powerful gathering in Mobile, Alabama has become a growing national movement dedicated to ensuring that the service, sacrifice, leadership, and legacy of women veterans are seen, celebrated, and remembered.

Under the leadership of Dr. Lena Payton Webb, retired U.S. Army officer, two-time Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, international speaker, AI strategist, and founder of Her March Forward™, women veterans from across the country are preparing for the next chapter of this extraordinary movement as the Her March Forward Women Veterans Conference & Excellence Awards heads to Richmond, Virginia, November 20–21, 2026. (hermarchforward.com)

A Powerful Beginning in Mobile

Hosted at Bishop State Community College’s Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center in Mobile, Alabama, the third annual Her March Forward Women Veterans Conference & Excellence Awards brought together women veterans, community leaders, entrepreneurs, authors, military families, and supporters for an unforgettable day centered on leadership, healing, recognition, and purpose.

The conference was intentionally created to ensure that the stories of women who served our nation would no longer remain in the background, but instead receive the honor they have earned. The event featured inspirational keynote speakers, engaging leadership sessions, networking opportunities, veteran recognition, community awards, author showcases, and meaningful conversations designed to empower women long after the conference concluded.

More than a conference, attendees experienced a movement built on one simple belief: military service does not end with retirement. It evolves into leadership, mentorship, entrepreneurship, advocacy, and legacy.

A Vision Born from Service

For Dr. Lena Payton Webb, Her March Forward is deeply personal.

After more than two decades of military service, she recognized a reality shared by countless women veterans. Their stories were often overlooked, their contributions minimized, and their leadership underrepresented despite decades of faithful service to the nation.

Rather than accept that reality, she created a platform that gives women veterans a stage, a microphone, and a lasting legacy.

Her March Forward has grown into a national initiative that celebrates women veterans while connecting them with opportunities to become published authors, conference speakers, award recipients, community leaders, and influential voices for future generations.

“This movement is about making sure women who answered the call are honored while they are here to experience it. Their stories deserve to be preserved, their sacrifices recognized, and their leadership celebrated,” said Dr. Webb.

More Than an Event. A Lasting Legacy.

One of the defining features of Her March Forward is its companion anthology, bringing together the voices of remarkable women veterans who courageously share their personal journeys of service, resilience, leadership, healing, and transformation.

The Her March Forward anthology preserves stories that might otherwise be lost to history. Through authentic, first-person accounts, readers gain a deeper understanding of military service through the eyes of women who have led troops, cared for soldiers, raised families during deployments, overcome adversity, and continued serving their communities long after removing the uniform.

Collectively representing generations of military service across every branch of the Armed Forces, these authors demonstrate that courage does not end when military careers conclude. Instead, it becomes the foundation for building businesses, strengthening communities, mentoring future leaders, and leaving a legacy for generations to come.

Elevating Voices Beyond the Uniform

Her March Forward was intentionally designed to create opportunities that extend far beyond a single conference.

Participants have opportunities to:

• Become published authors.

• Share their stories from the conference stage.

• Receive Her March Forward Excellence Awards recognizing leadership and service.

• Expand their visibility through national media features and interviews.

• Build strategic relationships with veteran organizations, corporations, and community leaders.

• Inspire future generations through mentorship and storytelling.

The platform also introduces women veterans to speaking engagements, leadership development, publishing opportunities, media exposure, and collaborative partnerships, ensuring their experiences continue creating meaningful impact.

Recognizing Excellence

The Her March Forward Excellence Awards celebrate extraordinary women whose leadership extends far beyond military service.

Award recipients are recognized for continuing to make an impact through business, nonprofit leadership, education, healthcare, mentorship, entrepreneurship, public service, advocacy, and community development.

Each award recognizes women who exemplify resilience, integrity, servant leadership, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference.

The awards remind every attendee that military service is not the conclusion of their story. It is the beginning of another chapter of influence.

Inspiring Speakers. Life-Changing Conversations.

Throughout the conference, attendees hear from accomplished women veterans, military leaders, business owners, authors, coaches, and changemakers who openly share lessons learned through service, leadership, transition, resilience, and entrepreneurship.

These speakers provide practical strategies, personal encouragement, and powerful reminders that purpose continues beyond the uniform.

The conference creates an environment where stories become healing, connections become collaborations, and inspiration becomes action.

Richmond Becomes the Next Chapter

Following the tremendous momentum generated in Mobile, Alabama, Her March Forward now travels to Richmond, Virginia, where the movement continues on November 20–21, 2026.

The expanded two-day experience will feature:

• National women veteran speakers

• Leadership and professional development sessions

• The Her March Forward Excellence Awards

• Author showcases and book signings

• Veteran networking opportunities

• Community partnerships

• Media interviews

• Business and nonprofit resources

• VIP experiences

Women veterans representing every military branch are encouraged to attend, along with military supporters, corporate partners, nonprofit organizations, entrepreneurs, educators, healthcare professionals, and community leaders committed to honoring those who served.

Building a National Movement

While many organizations host conferences, Her March Forward is building something much larger.

It is creating a national community where women veterans are recognized not only for what they accomplished while wearing the uniform, but for the extraordinary leadership they continue demonstrating every day.

Each city adds another chapter.

Each conference introduces new voices.

Each author preserves another story.

Each speaker inspires another life.

Each award honors another legacy.

Together, they are ensuring that the history of women veterans is documented, celebrated, and passed forward for generations to come.

About Dr. Lena Payton Webb

Dr. Lena Payton Webb is a retired U.S. Army officer, two-time Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, international speaker, author, certified AI strategist, and founder of Blu Impressions Publishing, LitCon Elevate, and Her March Forward™.

As the CEO of the award-winning Blu Impressions Publishing, Dr. Webb has helped entrepreneurs, coaches, consultants, veterans, and thought leaders transform their expertise into books, brands, speaking platforms, and lasting legacies through her concept-to-creation publishing model.

Through Her March Forward, she continues her lifelong mission of ensuring that women veterans receive the visibility, recognition, and opportunities they have earned through service and leadership.

Join the Movement

The next chapter of Her March Forward™ takes place November 20–21, 2026, in Richmond, Virginia, bringing together women veterans, military leaders, authors, entrepreneurs, community advocates, and supporters from across the nation for two unforgettable days of inspiration, recognition, education, and celebration.

Whether you are a woman veteran ready to share your story, an organization looking to partner, a sponsor committed to honoring those who served, or someone who believes our nation’s women veterans deserve greater visibility, this is your opportunity to become part of a movement that is changing lives and preserving legacies.

Register. Nominate. Sponsor. Partner.

Learn more, register for the conference, nominate an outstanding woman veteran for recognition, become a sponsor, or explore partnership opportunities by visiting:

www.hermarchforward.com

Your service deserves to be remembered.

Your story deserves to be told.

Your leadership deserves to be celebrated.

Her March Forward is more than a conference. It is a movement.

For media interviews, sponsorship opportunities, partnerships, or conference registration, visit www.hermarchforward.com and join the movement that is ensuring the voices of women veterans continue to inspire generations to come.