Every day, women across our nation serve with courage, strength, and determination. From the battlefield to the front lines at home, female service members and first responders have played a vital role in protecting our country and supporting their communities.

As we reflect on the spirit of International Women’s Month, the Gary Sinise Foundation is proud to honor four extraordinary women whose resilience and service continue to inspire: Sarah Bettencourt, Leslie Smith, Mary Dague, and Katie Mendonca Each of these women faced immense challenges, but their determination to keep serving others has defined their legacy.

Their stories remind us that heroism takes many forms.

Sarah Bettencourt: Turning Adversity Into Strength

Former U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot Sarah Bettencourt had her military career cut short when a rare neurological disorder forced her to medically retire in 2012. The condition caused constantly changing and often severe symptoms, leaving Sarah struggling to find her place outside of the military.

But Sarah refused to let her challenges define her future.

Through adaptive sports, she discovered a new sense of purpose. By adapting equipment and techniques to fit her abilities, Sarah realized she could still accomplish extraordinary things.

Today, Sarah is a leader in the adaptive sports community. She founded the San Diego Ducks Sled Hockey Team, serves as a defenseman on the U.S. Women’s Sled Hockey Team, and competes on the U.S. Para Surf Team. She is also the reigning World Champion in the Women’s Para Surf Prone 1 Division.

Sarah and her family live in a Gary Sinise Foundation specially adapted smart home, modified through the home remodeling program to meet her unique needs.

“In my time of need, the Gary Sinise Foundation not only provided my family and I a safe house, but the customizations transformed my daily tasks from challenging to easy,” Sarah shared. “I now have the energy and independence to live my life to the fullest and follow my dreams.”

Today, Sarah continues to serve others - both through adaptive sports and by representing our nation on the world stage.

Leslie Smith: Fighting for Life and Purpose

U.S. Army Captain Leslie Smith volunteered to deploy shortly after the attacks of September 11, 2001, serving as a public affairs officer during Operation Joint Forge. Her role brought her into contact with military leaders, dignitaries, and fellow service members working together to support critical missions overseas.

Less than a year into her deployment, Leslie began experiencing intense pain in her left leg.

Medical tests revealed a devastating diagnosis: a growing blood clot had fractured into thousands of smaller clots that spread throughout her body and vital organs. Doctors placed her on imminent death protocol, giving her only 24 hours to live.

But Leslie was determined to fight.

After undergoing multiple procedures, doctors were forced to amputate her left leg to save her life. She now also lives with near-total vision loss believed to be caused by exposure to toxic chemicals and gases while deployed.

During her recovery at Walter Reed Medical Center, Leslie formed strong bonds with fellow wounded veterans. It was there that she discovered a new calling - helping other injured service members navigate their new reality.

“I realized how healing and therapeutic it was, not only for them but for me,” she said.

Later this year, Leslie will receive a mortgage-free specially adapted smart home from the Gary Sinise Foundation, helping restore independence and stability as she continues her mission of supporting others.

Mary Dague: Courage in the Face of the Unthinkable

U.S. Army Sergeant Mary Dague felt the call to serve after witnessing the attacks of September 11 while she was still in high school.

Of all the roles she could have chosen in the military, Mary selected one of the most dangerous: Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician - the soldiers tasked with locating and disarming live explosives.

While deployed to Iraq, Mary responded to a call on November 4, 2007, to dismantle an improvised explosive device placed between a school and apartment buildings.

After the device had been disassembled and placed in a truck, Mary noticed it rocking back and forth. Instinctively, she hugged the bomb against her body to shield her team from the blast.

The explosion instantly amputated both of her arms.

Mary endured a long recovery that included surgeries, depression, body dysmorphia, and the difficult process of rebuilding her life.

Eventually, Mary returned to Washington to be closer to her unit, where she met the love of her life, fellow EOD technician James. Together they’ve faced new challenges, including a battle with breast cancer, but Mary’s spirit has never wavered.

Just last week, thanks to your support, the Gary Sinise Foundation presented Mary with the iPad that will run the smart technology in her new specially adapted, mortgage-free home.

As Mary shared, "This house is more than a house. It’s a safety that I’ve not felt in a really long time."

Katie Mendonca: Protecting Others, Even at Great Cost

Retired Riverside Police Detective Katie Mendonca dedicated her career to protecting others.

Katie joined the department as a cadet in 2003, working her way up through the ranks and eventually becoming a detective.

On Thanksgiving Day in 2019, Katie responded to a domestic violence call that would change her life forever.

When the suspect suddenly moved to attack her partner, Katie instinctively stepped in and took the hit herself. The suspect began strangling her, and officers called for backup as Katie fought to survive.

In the days that followed, doctors discovered severe damage to her vocal cords. Katie lost her voice for two years, undergoing multiple surgeries before she was finally able to speak again.

But her challenges didn’t end there.

When Katie eventually regained her voice, doctors discovered she had also suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) from the attack.

After being denied workers’ compensation coverage for rehabilitation programs, Katie eventually found hope at the Marcus Institute for Brain Health in Colorado. Thanks to the generosity of the American people, the Gary Sinise Foundation helped make it possible for Katie to attend the life-changing treatment program.

Today, Katie is a retired police detective who continues to serve others by supporting fellow first responders and individuals recovering from traumatic brain injuries.

She believes that if sharing her experience can help even one person facing similar struggles, then her mission continues.

Continuing the Mission

The stories of Sarah Bettencourt, Leslie Smith, Mary Dague, and Katie Mendonca reflect the courage and resilience of women who answer the call to serve.

Through programs like our home building and mental wellness initiatives, we are honored to relay your support to our nation's wounded veterans and first responders, helping resport independence, stability, and hope for those who have sacrificed so much.

These women remind us that heroism doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. It lives on through service, leadership, and the unwavering determination to keep moving forward.

And their stories continue to inspire the next generation of female heroes.

Click here to donate today to support future home projects for our wounded defenders.