PASADENA (May 2026) — Nestled in the lush greenery and vintage charm of the Tea Rose Garden in Pasadena, women veterans from across Los Angeles County found more than tea and pastries during the Women Veteran Tea Party on May 29. They found shared stories, new friendships, and the company of others who understood their experiences.
For Lindree Roy, a former Army nurse and veteran of 18 years of military service, attending the tea party was a natural extension of her connection to the veteran community. Roy learned about the event after stopping by a veteran outreach booth at the Los Angeles County Fair, where she received information about the gathering.
Roy said she makes a point of connecting with fellow veterans whenever she has the opportunity because of the camaraderie and understanding they provide.
“Being here with so many females, it warms my heart,” Roy said. “They went through the same things — basic training, doing their jobs, caring for military personnel. That brings tears to my eyes and warms my heart.”
Hosted through a collaborative effort of Veteran Peer Access Network (VPAN) SD1, Jobs. Vision. Success. Southern California (JVS SoCal), America’s Job Center of California (AJCC), and the Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP), the event offered women veterans an opportunity to spend time with others who share the unique experiences of military service.
Around the tea tables, conversations brought together women with a wide range of military and life experiences. Attendees included veterans from different eras of service, recently separated veterans, entrepreneurs, caregivers, and current National Guard members, creating opportunities to share perspectives, advice, and encouragement.
The activities encouraged attendees to get to know one another while having fun. A round of bingo had women moving from table to table discovering shared experiences and sparking conversations. An activity booklet guided participants through creating goals and reflecting on future aspirations. A fashion show brought volunteers to the front of the room to showcase their outfits, while raffles and scratch-off prizes added excitement throughout the afternoon.
One conversation that stood out to Liz Lopez, a U.S. Army veteran and Team Lead Career Coach with Jobs. Vision. Success. Southern California (JVS SoCal), involved a woman currently serving in the National Guard who sought guidance from veterans who had already navigated the transition to civilian life.
“She asked us straight out, ‘How do you navigate the veteran world? How do you know about career choices? How do you know about opportunities when you’re out?'” Lopez said.
The exchange reflected one of the opportunities the event created for women veterans from different generations and backgrounds to share experiences and advice.
For Lopez, that sense of community was exactly what organizers hoped the event would provide.
“This was an opportunity to have community, and an opportunity to have fun,” Lopez said. “I think we were successful in that. That’s what they deserve.”
For Veronica Hernandez, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Peer Support Specialist with VPAN SD1 – JVS SoCal, the atmosphere throughout the day reflected that goal.
“Everyone was mingling, everyone was talking,” Hernandez said. “Everyone was exchanging numbers and networks. It was just fun to sit down, have a cup of tea, enjoy the pastries, and spend time together.”
Hernandez said events like the tea party are especially important because many women veterans may not realize how many others share similar experiences.
“When I first started that event with the rage room and I gathered all these females, I was surprised and shocked to see how many are out there and hiding,” Hernandez said. “The majority of us live in isolation, and just the fact that we unite and have each other’s back and tell each other, ‘Hey, have you heard about this event? Have you heard about this resource?’ That’s what it’s all about.”
The event also highlighted the creativity and leadership of women veterans. Hernandez shared a coloring book she created specifically for women veterans, inspired by her desire to provide something uplifting and relatable.
“I just wanted to show the female veterans that there is something for them,” Hernandez said. “A lot of us go through a lot of mental health issues, and just to have a distraction, something that they can relate to.”
Roy said the gathering reinforced the value of opportunities that bring women veterans together.
“As a female veteran, you’re not alone,” Roy said. “There’s others out there. It’s a blessing when you come here for something like this because you know you’re not.”
As the event concluded, attendees exchanged contact information, shared resources, and continued conversations that began around the tea tables. Every participant left with a prize, but many also left with new connections, fresh perspectives, and a broader network of women veterans representing different generations and experiences of military service.
Story by Ashley Cohen, Public Information Associate, Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and photo by Layla Romero, Public Information Staff Assistant, Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
