Women of the Oath Outdoors — Founding Story

Women of the Oath Outdoors was never meant to be just another organization. It was born from lived experience — years of service, leadership, sacrifice, and the quiet strength that comes with taking an oath to protect others. Long before there was a name or a plan on paper, there was a vision in my heart: to create a place where women who have served could reconnect with themselves and each other through the outdoors.

As an adult, my reset has always been the outdoors. Wide Kansas prairies, early morning skies, cold air in my lungs, dogs working a field, the stillness before sunrise — those were the moments that brought clarity and peace. I knew there had to be a way to give that same experience to other women who carried the weight of service. Not as a program or an obligation, but as a sisterhood.

That vision came to life during our yearly reunion.

It was there, surrounded by shared history and the kind of bond that only comes from service, that I shared what had been on my heart with Amber Ming and Amy Winegardner. What unfolded in that moment was something bigger than any one of us expected. Both Amber and Amy shared that they had been carrying a similar vision themselves — quietly waiting for the right time and the right conversation to bring it forward. That alignment didn’t feel accidental — it felt like purpose.

That conversation became the foundation of Women of the Oath Outdoors.

Together, we began shaping what this could become – not just hunts or outdoor trips, but meaningful experiences rooted in connection, confidence, mentorship, and healing. We talked about creating a space where women in the military, law enforcement, and other service roles could show up exactly as they are — strong, capable, tired, determined, hopeful — and be fully understood.

Women of the Oath Outdoors stands on the belief that women who take an oath carry a bond that goes beyond profession. It is about trust, resilience, and shared purpose. Through hunts, fishing trips, outdoor retreats, mentorship opportunities, and simple time together in nature, we create space for restoration and growth. Around campfires and in quiet fields at sunrise, stories are shared that only women of service truly understand.

This organization is about giving back what service can sometimes take away — connection, peace, confidence, and belonging. It is about reminding women that strength is not only found in endurance, but also in community. It is about legacy — building something that will continue to support women defenders for generations to come.

Women of the Oath Outdoors is still being written. Every woman who joins adds another chapter. Every event becomes part of the story. And every step forward honors the oath — not individually, but together.