Empower Her Wellness Fair

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The Solarium at Historic Scottish Rite, Home of the Community Center of South Decatur, Georgia, was the perfect backdrop for the Empower Her Wellness Fair, a collaborative event bringing together numerous veteran support organizations to empower and celebrate women veterans. This was a partnership with GA Military Women, The Atlanta VA Women's Center, and our nonprofit Humble Warrior. A special thank you to the Atlanta Women's Club and the Rotary of Brookhaven for sponsoring the venue. A total of 72 women veterans attended to enjoy a day packed with resources, workshops, and wellness activities.

This marked the first large-scale, in-person event co-hosted by the VA Women's Center since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Attendees were able to receive flu shots, participate in workshops, and connect with resources in a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere. Humble Warrior contributed six holistic wellness workshops including: Chair Yoga, stress management, essential oils, and more.  One participant described the event as "brain-food for helping us be our best Self," highlighting the value of the free-flowing schedule and ample time to engage with vendors. 

Attendees praised the event's diverse opportunities. Event coordinator Denise Cardin shared her vision for the fair, stating: "I'm passionate about women's issues, and so it only seemed fitting to collaborate with as many women-run organizations as I could, to collectively create something meaningful that would truly interest and resonate with other women. It had to be intimate, personal, and holistic, addressing the many interconnected facets of being a woman and celebrating the diversity of women's experiences." Denise added, "Humble Warrior added such great value." The Empower Her Wellness Fair was a shining example of collaboration, providing women veterans with tools, connections, and inspiration to thrive.  

As we celebrate six incredible years of serving, supporting, and shepherding our community of women veterans and first responders, we want to take an intentional moment to reflect on what makes this journey so special - and that is each and every one of you! Whether you've attended our wellness programs, shared your experiences, or supported us, you are the heart of our mission. You've entrusted Humble Warrior to be a part of your wellness journey, and our team - Mary Beth, Katie, Gabi, and Raquel are deeply grateful.

To our participants, incredible women who serve and have served, thank you for embracing the power of connection and holistic wellness, from yoga to mindfulness, guided journaling, whole foods, and everything in between. Your commitment to growth, connection, and self-care is truly inspiring. Every time we hear about the positive impact Humble Warrior programs have had on your lives, it reminds us why we do what we do. You've built a community that uplifts one another, and it's been amazing to watch it blossom over the past amazing six years.

And to our generous donors, your support has been the foundation of our success. You've helped us grow from a small idea into a thriving resource for so many women. Thanks to you, we've been able to offer more programs, reach more women, and make a lasting impact. Together, we create spaces where women who have served their country and communities can find community and resilience. Here's to many more years of growth and transformation!

American Legion Post 109 in Hartwell, GA hosted an inaugural "Salute to Women!" Veteran and Legion Secretary Alice Green hosted the event and provided a warm welcome to all. For many it was the first time visiting the beautiful post on a golf course. Humble Warrior served as a wellness presenter along with The Rescue at Spirit Ridge Farm (an equine-learning nonprofit). the Humble Warrior two pillars of connection and wellness were explored. All participants, and one amazing service dog named Monty, participated in a series of integrated icebreakers to quickly connect and warm up the room. Then, our Chair Raquel provided everyone with their own resistance band and led the group in an easy to do home exercise sequence. We are already looking forward to next year's gathering!

Humble Warrior is reaching out to connect where women veterans and first responders are already gathering across Georgia. Women veterans "meet up" monthly at different geographical locations usually over lunch or a special planned event. We kicked off this Lunch & Learn series by providing a Mindful Chair Yoga class at the Switzer Library in Marietta, GA. 

Veteran Host Sharon and our Chair Raquel shared the importance of making connections and how it reduces social isolation. Humble Warrior presented each participant with a special gift of tea curated to cultivate a feeling of calmness.

In a collaborative effort with Georgia Military Women, Humble Warrior has plans to share holistic wellness practices and break bread with these awesome women who served! We are looking forward to exploring wellness practices in Southwest, Southeast, Northeast, Northwest, and the greater Atlanta area of Georgia throughout the year! We give a big and heartful thank you to Gail our #1 volunteer, for coordinating and literally mapping out the events for us! 

For more information on these meet ups please follow us, and Georgia Military Women on Facebook. 

Everything came together for our first-ever silent auction! We enjoyed comfortable weather, delightful handcrafted wine, and the company of wonderful women as we explored wellness together. We give a  big "Thank you!" to everyone who donated the 30 auction items and everyone who supported us in raising $911 (yes, we added it 3 times and it ironically turned out to be 9-1-1).

Our wonderful host Marcy, greeted everyone and our own Board-member Katie checked in each person. Our Chair, Raquel, kicked off the event by sharing our Humble Warrior story and then led a mindfulness class and an outdoor gentle yoga practice. Inside Marcy's beautiful home, the silent auction ran quietly in the background as attendees bid on their favorite wellness item or homemade craft. Gorgeous charcuterie boards by veteran-owned Kennesaw Mountain Chair Company raised the highest dollars. We are very appreciative to chair maker Michael Lipper for generously donating four boards. 

After yoga, everyone had the opportunity to enjoy a Watkinsville Wine sampling. The handcrafted fruit wine sampling included fruit that is grown in Georgia: Elderberry, Sweet Blueberry, Pear, Cranberry, and Pink Moscato. Elderberry and Peach were the group's favorites. Again, we thank everyone for a wonderful event that supports programs and resources for first responders and veterans. Be well! 

On August 29th, Humble Warrior provided a trauma informed yoga class for the Women Initiate Self Healing and Hope (WISH) organization. WISH helps women gain support, insight, and strength from other women who have experienced domestic violence. WISH also provides safe refuge and other support resources. 

The coordinators, JoLynn and Elizabeth, welcomed us and joined us. The participants shared a favorite takeaway at the end of their practice and were encouraged to incorporate this yoga practice into their lifestyle wellness routine.

For more information about WISH, visit them online: WISH

The GA Association of Women in Public Safety (GAWPS) held its 2022 Conference at the beautiful Brasstown Valley Resort April 18-21. Over 170 women attended from various areas of public safety to include: Fire, Police, EMS, Dispatchers, Probation Officers, Corrections, Department of Natural Resources, and various state agencies. 

Humble Warrior Chairwoman, Raquel Durden, served as their Keynote Speaker highlighting mindful leadership and provided morning and evening yoga classes. We were honored to support and attend this important event. A special thank you to Executive Director Police Chief Courtney Gale for inviting us and to GAWPS President Cheri Akselsen and the Board of Directors for organizing an amazing conference focused on resiliency. 

Athens, Georgia, June 30, 2021— Humble Warrior Wellness & Yoga, Inc is honored to announce it has received a capacity building grant from the Disabled Veterans National Foundation (DVNF) for $13,000, which will fund Veteran Wellness Resource Kits for women veterans who participate in our wellness programs.

Raquel Durden, Executive Director and co-founder of Humble Warrior Wellness & Yoga, Inc said, “With this wonderful grant, we will be able to provide women veterans with resources, tools, and equipment to integrate the wellness practices we teach them at retreats into their daily lifestyle."

Joseph VanFonda (USMC, Sgt. Maj. Ret.) CEO of Disabled Veterans National Foundation shared, “We are proud to support Humble Warrior Wellness & Yoga, as they continue to make a positive impact in veterans’ lives. We would like to congratulate and thank them for their commitment to assisting the men and women who served in defense of our country.”

Humble Warrior Wellness & Yoga, Inc, a 501(c)3 public charity nonprofit established in 2018, provides free wellness classes, workshops, and retreats to women veterans. We teach, resource, and provide trauma-informed and evidence-based wellness practices for mind, body, and soul. Humble Warrior serves women of various backgrounds and identities. We create community in person and through online platforms to encourage and facilitate widespread connections to weave wellness and resilience into lifestyles.

Disabled Veterans National Foundation exists to provide critically needed support to disabled and at-risk veterans who leave the military wounded—physically or psychologically—after defending our safety and our freedom. DVNF achieves this by:

▪Offering direct financial support to veteran organizations that address the unique needs of veterans, and whose mission align with that of DVNF.

▪Providing supplemental assistance to homeless and low-income veterans through the Health & Comfort program and various empowerment resources.

▪Providing an online resource database that allows veterans to navigate the complex process of seeking benefits that they are entitled do as a result of their military service, as well as additional resources they need.

▪Serving as a thought leader on critical policy issues within the veteran community and educating the public accordingly.

About Humble Warrior Wellness & Yoga: We are women supporting women who serve and have served! Humble Warrior provides free wellness retreats, workshops, and classes for women veterans promoting healthy living and social connections. Visit humblewarrior.org for additional details.

For more information about the Disabled National Veterans Foundation (DVNF) please visit their website at dvnf.org