Boardroom ready
Ready, Set, Go! Board of Directors Training
Humble Warrior recently completed the Ready, Set, Go! Board of Directors training hosted by the Athens Area Community Foundation - a program designed to strengthen nonprofit leadership and impact. Recognizing nonprofits as "the heartbeat of the community," the training emphasized bringing the wisdom of lived experience into the boardroom. Participants explored the ten key roles and responsibilities of board members, gaining tools to effectively communicate with prospective members, investors, and partners. This milestone reflects Humble Warrior's commitment to excellence in governance and it's mission to uplift women veterans and first responders through connection and holistic wellness.
Virtual Coffee Break
Georgia Woman Veteran of the Year 2025
What makes a coffee break sweeter? Sharing it with others! During this month's Georgia Department of Veterans Service's Virtual Coffee Break hosted by Veda B., our Co-founder & Chair Raquel Durden was warmly introduced as the Georgia Woman Veteran of the Year. Raquel shared about her military experiences, Humble Warrior, and the importance of connections. Hearing from Anisa, the Impact Award winner, was also a powerful reminder of the depth of experience and resilience in our Women Veteran community. The Virtual Coffee Break is a monthly forum - truly warm, engaging, and valuable. Let's remember, behind every successful woman is a great cup of coffee and supportive people!
Woman Veteran of the Year
Georgia Woman Veteran of the Year 2025
We are thrilled to share that our very own Co-founder and Chair, Raquel Durden, has ben named the Georgia Woman Veteran of the year - 2025!
The Georgia Department of Veterans Service announced this prestigious honor and hosted a celebratory luncheon to recognize Raquel and the 18 other remarkable nominees. Before the main event, a special gathering allowed all nominees to connect, tour the VECTR Center, and share in the spotlight.
Reflecting on this honor, Raquel shared, "To say I am thankful is an understatement. This recognition is not just about me - it represents the strength, resilience, and service of every woman veteran who continues to connect and serve in some way."
Please join us in congratulating Raquel on this well-deserved recognition!
Public Safety Conference
Humble Warrior Supports Public Safety Conference for 3rd Year in a Row!
The Georgia Association of Women in Public Safety (GAWPS) hosted its annual conference at the Classic Center in Athens, GA with the inspiring theme: Simply Your Best! Humble Warrior was honored to participate once again, offering a robust resource table and both morning and evening yoga sessions for all attendees. A special thanks goes out to our incredible onsite volunteers Robin and Cheri, and to Tammy for making goodie bags - ya'll helped us make this a successful event!
The conference was a powerful gathering filled with meaningful connections, shared stories, and a deep sense of community. A highlight of the event was hearing Cheri Akelson, Executive Director of GAWPS recognize our nonprofit as a trusted wellness resource and supporter. She encouraged all attendees to engage with us. Her kind words and the organization's ongoing trust mean the world to us.
This marks our third year supporting these incredible women who serve and protect our communities. We are already looking forward to next year! Thank you to everyone who stopped by our table, joined a yoga session, or took a moment to connect. Your commitment to wellness and service is truly inspiring!
Strides for Access
A Walk in Support of Georgia's Military Heroes
Humble Warrior Wellness & Yoga joined forces with Vet Space to co-host Strides for Access: Celebrating GA's State Parks with Our Military Heroes at Panola Mountain State Park. Representatives from the Sierra Club, Militia Veterans, and other nonprofit organizations also participated, uniting in support of SB190, a bill advocating for free access to Georgia State Parks for all veterans, military personnel, and Gold Star families.
The morning greeted us with an unexpected chill - 39 degrees at the start - but the sunshine and shared camaraderie warmed our spirits. Participants had the choice between scenic loop trails of varying degrees, with a challenge-by-choice option for those seeking a little more adventure. Before setting off, we gathered for introductions, shared our passion for the outdoors, and expressed our support for the bill. We extend our gratitude to Senators Nikki Merritt and Kenya Wicks for co-sponsoring this important legislation.
Why Access to Nature for Veterans?
- Promotes Mental Well-Being: Time in nature has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of PTSD. The calming effects of outdoor spaces help veterans reconnect with a sense of peace and balance.
- Encourages Physical Health: Engaging in outdoor activities like hiking, walking, and kayaking improves cardiovascular health, mobility, and overall fitness - key components in a veteran's long-term wellness.
- Fosters Connection and Purpose: Shared experiences in nature create opportunities for veterans to build community, strengthen social bonds, and rediscover a sense of belonging beyond their military service.
The Strides for Access Walk was a powerful reminder of the importance of Georgia's natural spaces and the need to ensure they remain accessible to those who have served. As we continue advocating for SB190, we encourage others to join the movement - because our military heroes desrve the healing power of the great outdoors.
Nonprofit of the Year
Nonprofit of the Year Finalist!
On January 28th, Humble Warrior was celebrated as a finalist for the 2024 Nonprofit of the Year at a reception in Athens, GA. Our Co-founder & Chair Raquel D. represented us and celebrated with all the year's nominees and finalists. It was a fun night of celebrating amazing contributions, accomplishments, and networking. We thank Athens Area Community Foundation for hosting the award and reception. The foundation has a mission to shape effective responses to community needs through collaboration. Visit www.athensareacf.org for more information.
Delivering Wellness
Wellness Love Bundles
Humble Warrior partnered with a local Athens Church Women's Small Group to gather wellness items, write Valentine's Day cards, and package love bundles benefitting The Genesis Joy House - a Homeless Women Veterans Resource in Warner Robins, GA. The bundles will be hand delivered by women veterans along with an invitation to connect with Humble Warrior's virtual book club - The Sip 'n Read Sisters. We thank everyone for their generous donations of warm winter hats, scarves, gloves, coffee cups, tea, homemade bookmarks, activity books, journals, pens, sweet treats, and more! Surely this will make Valentine's Day a little sweeter for the residents. For more information or to donate to the Genesis Joy House, visit: www.genesisjoyhouse.com
Empower Her Wellness Fair
A Day of Connection and Growth
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.
Celebrating six years
Thank you!
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!
Gold Standard
Gold-rated Seal!
Candid awards four levels of transparency seals to nonprofit organizations - Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Humble Warrior is grateful to announce we have achieved the Gold-rated seal. Additionally, we are now registered in Benevity's Causes Portal to connect with the global network of supporters who are passionate about helping nonprofits make an impact. Does your workplace offer matching donations? Select Humble Warrior Wellness & Yoga to support veterans and first responders! We are grateful for each and every donor and donation. Thank you for your contribution!
Salute to Women
Event with American Legion Post 109
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!
V-WISE conference
Our Humble Warrior Nonprofit Directors, Raquel and Katie, were honored to participate and complete the V-Wise (Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship) program and attend the Atlanta 2024 Conference. Over 220 women veterans and military spouses gathered from all over the country to hear motivational speakers, technical experts, and representatives from various industries impart their knowledge and share their experiences. Now, as alumni, they can participate in a strong alumni network, post-program support, a have access to a wide variety of resources hosted by Syracuse University's D'Anielle Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) and the US Small Business Administration (SBA).
Lunch and Learn
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.
Mental Health first aid training
As adults we are all familiar with CPR and Basic First Aid. In fact, the Bee Gee's song "Staying Alive" is playing in my head. Many jobs require it for employment, and many people seek it for personal and family safety. Well, did you know there is Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training?
We know that mental health is so important and our own Humble Warrior Chair completed the MHFA training and we hope you do too! The National Council for Behavior Health depicts the program as such, "MHFA was designed to extend the concept of first aid training to mental health and substance use challenges. Mental Health First Aid teaches participants to recognize the signs and symptoms that suggest a potential mental health or substance use challenge, how to listen nonjudgmentally and give reassurance to a person who may be experiencing a mental health or substance us challenge, and how to refer a person to appropriate support and services."
If you want to get trained or become familiar with the 5-step action plan called "ALGEE," reach out to MHFA.org. Help make the world a little safer and kinder for all!
wellness, wine & silent auction
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!
women veterans make a splash
We are thrilled to announce that the inaugural "Women in the Water!" event at the Georgia Aquarium was a huge success. Over March 12-13th, certified SCUBA divers and experienced snorkelers participated in an amazing underwater experience intended to provide adventure, support, connections, and great memories for women veterans.
This could not have occurred without several non-profit and veteran service organizations joining forces in recognition of Women's History Month. Three women veteran empowered organizations had a vision for this unique event: Humble Warrior Wellness and Yoga Inc. (Humble Warrior), LifeWaters nonprofit, and Georgia Military Women (GMW). The turnout was incredible with over 40 women veterans attending. Women flew in from Colorado, Missouri, Texas, and Wisconsin to join local Georgia women veterans. A warm welcome and inspiring messages were provided by leaders from the partner organizations: Jill Campbell, LifeWaters Vice President and Director of Training, Dr. Amy Stevens, Founder of GMW and US Navy Veteran, and Raquel Durden, retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel and Humble Warrior Chairwoman. Having the support of the newly appointed Georgie Veteran Services Commissioner, Patricia "Trish" ross, was a delight as she shared reflections from her first 100 days in the position.
Over the two-day event, two dive groups and four snorkel groups shared the water with gentle giants such as whale sharks, giant manta rays, a rescue sea turtle named Tank the Turtle, and more. Tess O'brien, a US Navy veteran shared, "This was by far, the most amazing and humbling thing I have done." LifeWaters specializes in SCUBA diving training for disabled individuals (veterans, first responders, and civilians). The SCUBA diving skills are adapted for each disabled diver. As a nonprofit, they rely on donations, grants, and their volunteer dive staff to provide this wellness resource and experience. This was an adventure of a lifetime. We are so proud to say that women veterans made a BIG splash in the Georgia Aquarium and in the lives of other women veterans.
Please visit LifeWaters to learn more about this amazing partner organization!
Grant announcement
Disabled Veterans National Foundation Grant
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
