The Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans Services' Women Veterans Network is accepting nominations for the 2025 Deborah Sampson Award.
The award recognizes a Massachusetts woman veteran who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, service, and advocacy for fellow women veterans.
“The Deborah Sampson Award is an opportunity to highlight the extraordinary contributions of women veterans who go above and beyond to support their fellow service members,” said Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago. “Women have long played a vital role in our nation’s military, and it is critical that we continue to recognize their leadership and sacrifices.”
The Deborah Sampson Award is named after the Revolutionary War hero, who disguised herself as a man to serve in the Continental Army.
Her legacy has continued to live on and in 2019, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Deborah Sampson Act, expanding and implementing numerous programs in health care and benefits for female veterans at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“Women veterans bring unmatched resilience and dedication to everything they do, both in and out of uniform,” said Deputy Secretary Andrea Gayle-Bennett. “This award ensures that we uplift and celebrate those who are making a lasting impact on the veteran community.”
The Women Veterans Network is Massachusetts’ only state-run program dedicated to serving women veterans by connecting them to resources, fostering peer support and raising awareness of their unique experiences and contributions.
Through the award, Women Veterans Network continues its mission to elevate the voices of women veterans and recognize their impact statewide.
Past Deborah Sampson Award winners include Jenny D’Olympiain 2023 and Mary-dith E. Tuittin 2024.
“We encourage everyone to take a moment and nominate a woman veteran who has made a difference,” said Jessica Frost, director of the Women Veterans Network. “This is our chance to celebrate their commitment, strength and service to others.”
The deadline to submit nominations is April 25. The award will be presented at the annual Women Veterans Appreciation Day Ceremony in June.
To qualify, the nominee must be a women veteran residing in Massachusettsand have served on active duty in the U.S. Military, Reserves or National Guard.
To submit a nomination, visit the Deborah Sampson Nomination page and provide:
•An overview of the nominee’s military service and achievements
•Details on challenges she has overcome
•Her contributions to the veteran community
•Why she is an outstanding candidate for this honor