Honors Women Who Serve at Annual Celebration in Washington, D.C.

By Hope For The Warriors®

WASHINGTON, DC (Nov. 12, 2015) – Hope For The Warriors® honored seven women at its annual Got Heart, Give Hope® Celebration at Union Station on November 4.

The event’s theme was “Women Who Inspire Through Service,” and each honoree was presented with The Vigiano Family Hope & Courage Award. The awards focused on the HOPE each honoree symbolizes through her remarkable story and service. All event proceeds went to Hope For The Warriors®, a national nonprofit dedicated to restoring a sense of self, restoring the family unit, and restoring hope to our service members and our military families.

“This group of women continues to overcome extreme adversity and challenges in order to serve their country,” said Robin Kelleher, Hope For The Warriors® President. “We honored more than their service and sacrifices at this year’s celebration. We recognized the hope and courage they instill in and symbolize for their communities and our country.”

The evening celebrated hope within the military community, while focusing on incredible women who inspire through service. The annual event brought together service members and veterans, civilians and caregivers to honor these women. Each Vigiano Family Hope & Courage Award honoree was given the opportunity to share their story with the group.

U.S. Army veteran SPC Catherine Bane was inspired to serve by her grandfathers, father and brothers. She was honored for her resiliency and dedication to sharing hope in her local community.

Caregiver Juana Carrizales was honored for her unconditional love and support to her husband, a United States Marine Corp combat veteran, and for her support of Hope For The Warriors®.

Honoree SFC Angela Green was recognized for her service in the United States Army and Army Reserves, as well as her work in her local community to support the individual needs of wounded service members and veterans.

Honoree Courtney Spaeth was recognized for her exceptional work as a woman in the business world while working in the private sector, and as the CEO and founder of NSAWW/Growth [period]. Spaeth serves on the Board of Directors for Hope For The Warriors®.

Erin Thede was honored for her service in the United State Marine Corp and her continued service helping military members and veterans transition through her role as Director of Employer Partnerships, U.S. Army Reserves.

On 9/11, Jan Vigiano and her husband John Vigiano lost both their sons John, Jr. and Joe, as they rescued those trapped in the World Trade Center. Vigiano and her husband have worked to turn their tragedy into an opportunity to share hope through countless hours of volunteer work.

Honoree Lee Woodruff was co-author of the best-selling In an Instant, which chronicled her family’s journey to recovery following her husband’s roadside bomb injury in Iraq. Together, they founded the Bob Woodruff Foundation to assist wounded service members and their families.

The keynote speaker was Maj. Heather Penney (USAF), an F16 pilot in the 121st Fighter Squadron on Andrews AFB, Md. for more than 10 years. Penney was one of two combat pilots ordered to down United Airlines Flight 93 heading toward Washington, D.C. on 9/11. Sharing her story of 9/11 and experiences as a female within the United States Air Force, Penney challenged the audience to draw on their own courage to share hope within their communities.

For more information on the Got Heart, Give Hope® Celebration, please visitwww.gotheartgivehope.org