Michigan Women Veterans Empowerment
MIWVE's mission is to identify, connect, educate, advocate, support and empower all military veterans, service members, their families and the youth in the 8 dimensions of wellness.
MIWVE is dedicated to continuing to safely carry out our mission within the communities that we serve. In the military the mission
never stops regardless of the season, we will lead with the same spirit while serving others. We've experienced fruitful years and
we have expanded our outreach programs in 2026. We have faith in God to give us what we need as we effectively serve others.
Interested in learning more about our services?
What empowers you? Lets pass it on...
Click on Comcast Newsmakers LOGO below to view Sgt. Shannon's 2019 Interview airing in millions
of homes across the nation.
Attention USA Women Veterans have
Shared their stories, pomes and literary work in our 2nd "Our Voices United" Women Veterans Speak Anthology Book Project Volume 1 has been released buy off Amazon below.
VA Make the Connection View Interview
Over 1.2 Million views off Facebook
Our 3rd Annual 2018 Michigan Women Veterans Empowerment Conference was a Success!
Check out our conference video, a great time we had together!
The Psychology of Money Event
March 30, 2019
Great Success!!!
(RET) Sgt. Stephanie J. Shannon was the featured guest on the beautiful Dr. Michele Leno’s “Mind Matters” TV-38 Show - WADL Detroit which airs in 1.9 Million homes in 7 counties in Michigan.
The discussion was about women veteran’s statistics, the challenges with transitioning from the military and focused on the mental health aspect and provided solutions.
2019 4th Annual Michigan Women Veterans Empowerment Conference was a great success!
Check out our conference Highlights Video Below
Check out MIWVE's Events 2016 - 2019
History Highlights Video
Below
Summer 2020-2021
Flint, MI
CLICK TO DONATE
Check out our 2022 Programs and Events Highlights video below
Double click here to add text.
Our Founder/CEO Sgt. Stephanie Shannon is a 2023 MLive Women Who Shape the State Awardee on May 15, 2023! After faithfully and diligently serving volunteering in this capacity for 8 years, she was nominated and was voted in as 1 of the 11 community women leaders out of 242 other Michigan women leaders that were nominated. The 11 women community leaders were voted in as inspirational women leaders who are trailblazers and have gone above and beyond to make their communities a better place.
Sgt Stephanie J. Shannon has been Inducted into the Prestigious Marquis Who's Who Biographical Registry in 2023 - 2024 Established in 1898 for her achievements, noteworthy exemplary community service work and her contributions to society along with her literary work.
She has also been recently honored in 2024 as Marquis Who's Who Top Business Professional
We are having a very fruitful Dirt Therapy Seasons - MIWVE will continue to do pop-up events throughout the State of Michigan supporting veterans, their families and the youth this year.
Please check out our social media platforms and follow us for regular updates Happy 250th Birthday USA!!!
FOLLOW US TWITTER
Check out Sgt. Shannon's
CHECK OUT OUR
YOUTH'S MESSAGE!
The Community is invited to come together in honor, celebration, fellowship, and empowerment at the FALL 2026 West Michigan Veterans & Family Resource and Empowerment Gathering!
Join us as we honor the men and women of the United States military who have served—and continue to serve—not only our Nation, but also their families, friends, and communities. This gathering is an opportunity to celebrate veterans, strengthen connections, share resources, uplift one another, and build a stronger, more united in the West Michigan community.
📅 Saturday, November 7, 2026
🕓 4:00–7:00 PM
📍 Hero’s and Shero’s Corner
4809 Eastern Ave., Kentwood, MI
FREE COMMUNITY EVENT — ALL AGES WELCOME!
Come experience an afternoon and evening filled with community, connection, encouragement, resources, laughter, music, food, and positive energy! Enjoy: 🎁 Door Prizes 🎟️ 50/50 Raffle🎶 Great Music & Positive Vibes
🤝 Military Camaraderie & Fellowship 🌐 Community Networking 🛍️ Local Vendors & Resources
🎤 Veteran & Community Speakers 🌱 Youth Engagement & Dirt Therapy Family-Friendly Activities and
Connection FREE ORGANIC COMFORT FOOD DINER
Guests will be treated to a delicious Organic Comfort Food Dinner prepared and served by MIWVE youth,
featuring produce and inspiration from our Dirt Therapy Garden.
This meal represents more than food—it represents community, purpose, youth empowerment, nourishment,
and the beauty of growing something together.
🎤 INSPIRING SPEAKERS & COMMUNITY VOICES
Come hear from dynamic and resourceful voices who are committed to strengthening our veteran and community networks, including:
Kwesi Betserai, MBA - Keynote Speaker
Peter Kalogiros, Senator Elissa Slotkin’s West Michigan Regional Manager
Sebriena P., Motivational Speaker
Lauren Sowell, gifted and award-winning spoken-word artist
Their stories, experiences, knowledge, and perspectives will help create meaningful conversations about empowerment, opportunity, community connection, and the resources available to veterans and their families.
💃 8:00 PM — SOUTHERN SOUL LINE DANCING EXPERIENCE
The celebration continues at 8:00 PM with an exciting evening of Southern Soul Line Dancing Entertainment, Culture, and Vibes! Featuring the viral line-dance creator: Mrs. Anietra Hensley A.K.A. MrzLoveMeForReal
Come ready to move, laugh, connect, and enjoy an unforgettable evening of music and line-dancing fun!
$10 donation at the door for the 8:00 PM entertainment.
❤️ A SAFE SPACE FOR VETERANS & FAMILIES -All ages are welcome!
This is a safe, supportive, sober, and family-friendly gathering created for veterans, their families, friends, supporters, and members of the broader community. Hero’s and Shero’s Corner in Grand Rapids/Kentwood provides a welcoming space where members of the veteran community and those who support them can come together, build relationships, exchange resources, and simply enjoy being surrounded by people who care.
🤝 TOGETHER, WE ARE STRONGER
The purpose of our FALL 2026 Gathering is to create meaningful opportunities for connection, empowerment, resource-sharing, networking, and community building throughout West Michigan.
This event is a joint collaborative effort between Homes for Heroes Michigan, Michigan Women Veterans Empowerment (MIWVE), and Hero’s and Shero’s Corner.
By bringing together our resources, talents, relationships, experiences, and skills, we are intentionally creating opportunities for greater impact.
When we join forces, we create possibilities.
When we share resources, we strengthen families. When we build relationships, we strengthen communities. And when we stand together, we can ensure that no veteran or family feels alone.
Our vision is to help build a vibrant, connected, stable, and empowered West Michigan community where U.S. veterans, their families, friends, supporters, youth, and community members have opportunities to connect, thrive, and grow together.
So come out and bring your family, bring a friend, bring your positive energy, and bring your heart for community!
Let's honor those who served. Let's celebrate those who continue to serve. Let's uplift one another.
Let's connect. Let's share. Let's grow. And let's build a stronger West Michigan—together!
HONOR. CONNECT. EMPOWER. CELEBRATE.
We look forward to seeing you at the FALL 2026 West Michigan Veterans & Family Resource and Empowerment Gathering!
