The National Association of
Black Military Women
(NABMW)
Los Angeles Chapter
Motto: To Tell HerStory
Events
A special Women’s History Month program honoring the service, leadership, and legacy of military women across generations.
A historic 50th Anniversary and 24th Biennial Convention celebrating legacy, sisterhood, and service.
Black military women have served this nation since the American Revolution, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and beyond, yet their service was often overlooked or only partially told in public history.
The organization traces its roots to pioneering Black military women, including women connected to the historic 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female battalion deployed overseas during World War II, including Doris Richardson, Dorothy Bartlett, Novella Auls, and Gladys Schuster Carter, whose leadership helped preserve this legacy.
The recent Congressional Gold Medal recognition of the 6888th underscores the importance of ensuring that their service is fully remembered and honored.
Today, the Los Angeles Chapter continues this work through veterans advocacy, public education, community outreach, and programs honoring the legacy, leadership, and service of Black military women.
Mission: To seek out, record, maintain and tell the history and heritage of African-American military women who served and are serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Motto: “To Tell HerStory”
Services
COMMUNITY
The Los Angeles Chapter works with community in various capacities through food banks, youth programs, social justice and sharing the stories of Black Military Women. These are incredibly talented women that continue to serve their communities.
CONSULTING & ADVOCACY
The Los Angeles Chapter also contributes lived experience, advocacy insight, and community-based consultation on issues affecting veterans, military families, women, and underserved communities. Chapter leadership has participated in public discussions, advisory efforts, and community engagement related to veterans’ services, social justice, family support, and public policy.
MEMBERSHIP
If you are a service member or a veteran the Los Angeles Chapter of NABMW would love to have you as a member. Membership is open to all individuals, regardless of race, age, gender, creed or color, who are currently or previously served in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. Military spouses and civilians who support the objectives of this organization are also welcome as associate members. To connect with NABMW Los Angeles Chapter, please email us at INFO@NABMWLA.ORG or call/text (424) 296-1004.
Leadership
Andrea Lorenz
Chapter President
Dr. Andrea Lorenz, PhD, is a U.S. Army veteran and President of the National Association of Black Military Women, Los Angeles Chapter. She brings leadership experience in education, community service, youth sports, and nonprofit engagement, with a continued commitment to strengthening outreach and opportunities for future generations.
Latia Suttle
Public Relations Officer & Social Justice Director
Latia Suttle is a retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Two and serves as Public Relations Officer and Social Justice Director for the National Association of Black Military Women, Los Angeles Chapter. She is active in veterans advocacy, public policy, community engagement, and initiatives supporting women veterans, military families, and underserved communities.
Patricia Jackson-Kelley
Principal Advisor
Lt. Col. Patricia Jackson-Kelley (Ret.) is a retired U.S. Army officer and former National President of the National Association of Black Military Women. She has dedicated decades of service to veterans, women’s leadership, and public policy, while continuing to serve in advisory and community leadership roles across Los Angeles County.
Contact
To connect with the National Association of Black Military Women, Los Angeles Chapter, please email INFO@NABMWLA.ORG or call/text (424) 296-1004. We welcome inquiries regarding membership, events, partnerships, and community engagement.