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MIDLAND, Texas (KOSA) - A non-profit based in Midland is recognizing women veterans through the power of connection, friendship, and their shared experiences.

It’s a veteran-led non-profit by women for women called We Are Not Forgotten.

Founder and President, Rebecca Thevenot, wanted a safe space so she and other women could share their experiences and create bonds like they once had in the military.

“My husband had gone on a few trips and had those bonding experiences with the male veterans, and I looked around for something for the females and I couldn’t find anything and I figured the only way to get something like that is to start it,” said Thevenot.

Thevenot organizes trips and events for women to create post-military bonds and friendships.

She and four other women recently went to Dusty Rose Ranch to hike, hang out as a group, reminisce about their service and create new memories together.

“Initially, we wanted to do weekend getaways. We did our first one back in February,” said Thevenot. “We spent the weekend at the ranch down in Eden and just that togetherness.”

The non-profit was created last June.

Thevenot said while this organization is still young, she’s anxious to see it grow. She’s hoping to add a dozen members each year.

“I would like to see a lot more interest in females because I know there’s a lot out there and I’ve spoken to a lot of them that say ‘Yes we need this’,” said Thevenot.

Many of its members, like Leigh McCallum, found We Are Not Forgotten through a fundraiser.

“I immediately attached myself to it because it was for women about women and being a veteran. I do a lot of volunteer for other veterans, and being a woman veteran, this was a little closer to my heart,” said McCallum.

McCallum said this organization helps her not to feel overshadowed compared to her male counterparts.

“Overall, it’s like you’re overshadowed even though you’re supporting it, and they go directly to the man. Unless you tell them ‘I’m a veteran’, they just don’t get it,” according to McCallum.

Thanks to this organization, McCallum has a sisterhood that understands and hears her.

“There were things I probably told them that I haven’t shared for 25-plus years,” said McCallum. “Just because of people not understanding, not being there, not knowing, even though we served alongside our male counterparts. It’s a little different being a female in a males world.”

Veteran and member LeAnne Thorton said it’s easy to join and women shouldn’t be afraid to reach out.

“If we don’t know who you are, we don’t know where you are, we can’t help you,” said Thorton. “Call us, look us up on Facebook. Send us a message. Just reach out to us. We don’t know where you are but we’re telling you where we are.”

Together, they all help each other fight the feeling of being forgotten.

You can find more information on how to join We Are Not Forgotten here.