
Karen L. Kuciver- Founder/President/Executive Director of Women Warriors was born and raised in Arizona. She found her passion for helping Veterans in 2014 when her late husband Daniel, an Army combat Veteran, was diagnosed with a terminal illness due to his time of service.
Karen graduated from Pima Community College with an Associate’s degree in both Liberal Arts and Social Services, Phi Theta Kappa, and then from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Magna Cum Laude.
Karen is a survivor. Survivor of domestic violence, and rape, she has experienced homelessness and incarceration and is ready to give back: give back to a community that is usually overlooked, our female Veterans. She uses her past experiences to help navigate through the system to provide comfort and aid to these women so that they too can reach their highest potential.
Karen started Women Warriors in October of 2016 as a resource fair specifically targeting female Veterans where she was able to provide resources, clothing, and hygiene items to women veterans, and a wonderful Christmas to a small family of three. That was when she realized that there was a need. In 2017, she hosted another resource fair where she reached over 40 female Veterans.
In 2018, Karen decided that she could do more than just provide these necessities, so Women Warriors became a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. With this status, she collected monetary donations and was able to provide 12 female Veterans assistance for rent/mortgage, utilities, insurance, car repairs, and food. In that same year, she hosted her 3rd Annual Women Warriors Event and helped over 104 female Veterans with basic hygiene essentials, clothing, and resources.
2019, was no different from any other year with Women Warriors assisting over 185 female Veterans at the 4th Annual Event and 26 with emergency financial assistance.
On top of opening her 1st Women Warriors office at the Warrior Healing Center in Sierra Vista, Arizona, and assisting 7 women there. Karen and Women Warriors continued assisting female Veterans during the 2020 pandemic, assisting 22 female Veterans with emergency assistance and 26 in 2021. In the year 2022, Women Warriors has continued growing strong in assisting our women more than ever. They are ready to hit 2023 stronger than ever.
In November 2020, Women Warriors opened their 2nd location in Tucson, Arizona which includes Tucson's first and only female Veteran resale boutique called Wendy's Collection Boutique. There Karen provides more services and necessities including clothing items and home accessories at no cost to the program Veterans. Unfortunately, Wendy's Collection Boutique closed its doors in June of 2023.
Karen feels that with the continued support of the local community and her amazing volunteers, Women Warriors will thrive and succeed, continuing to empower the local female Veteran community the best that they know how.