Kelley Guidry was named the first recipient of the Nevada Woman Veteran of the Year Award, a statewide award designed to recognize and honor women veterans for their volunteer work on behalf of veterans and the veteran community.
Guidry, a U.S. Air Force veteran who served six years from 1997 to 2003, was selected by her peers to earn the honor. The Nevada Woman Veteran of the Year Award was launched during Women’s Military History Month in March. It celebrates women veterans for exceptional service to the veteran community.
Co-founder of Forgotten Not Gone, Guidry has served as a voice for the Las Vegas-based nonprofit in fighting against veteran suicide through veteran support and outdoor recreation. Her life has been a testimony of purpose, healing and dedication to “Stomping Out Veteran Suicide.”
Forgotten Not Gone specializes in Adaptive Sports equipment, specifically recumbent trike rides, that reconnect veterans to their bodies, their community and a renewed sense of purpose.
“Be honest and courageous enough to become a better person” is Guidry’s motto, which she said drives her mission to uplift her fellow veterans and transform lives.
Alongside her husband, Peter Guidry, who is the co-founder of Forgotten Not Gone, they created a movement within the nonprofit with participants collectively logging more than 38,000 miles of healing in 2024. Each mile represents resilience, recovery and reconnection, she said.
Forgotten Not Gone supports resiliency training and hosts rides for active-duty personnel at Nellis and Creech Air Force Bases. The organization has been involved in several events in partnership with the cities of Las Vegas and North Las Vegas. The nonprofit has also been the recipient of the Nonprofit of the Year Award, provided through the Las Vegas Chamber Military Affairs Committee.
Additionally, Guidry launched the Women Warriors Wellness Program, offering peer support tailored to female veterans. Each session is rooted in holistic healing to include grounding techniques, breathing exercises, shared experiences and emotional empowerment.
Drawing from more than 13 years of personal recovery, Guidry serves as a mentor and guide, helping others navigate trauma and reintegration. Her journey from adversity to advocacy gives her a voice that resonates deeply with veterans who feel forgotten or alone.
The Nevada Women Veteran of the Year Award is provided through the Nevada Women Veteran’s Advisory Committee, which serves in an advisory capacity and is supported by the Nevada Department of Veterans Services.
For more information on the award and women veterans in Nevada visit veterans.nv.gov.