Michigan Military and Veterans Hall of Honor

Sergeant Stephanie J. Shannon served in the U.S. Army from 1989 to 1997 as an 88M Motor Transportation Operator during Desert Storm/Desert Shield. Following her military service, she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Grand Valley State University and an associate degree in arts and sciences from Grand Rapids Community College. A dedicated advocate for women veterans, Shannon is the founder and CEO of the Michigan Women Veterans Empowerment organization, which provides support to women veterans and their families. She is also an ordained minister, paralegal, real estate agent, and the author of the #1 Amazon best-selling book Battling the Storm Within, sharing her experiences with PTSD and advocating for veteran mental health. Her accomplishments include creating “Dirt Therapy,” a program that engages veterans and youth in agriculture, and founding Stepeze Inc., a youth development organization. Shannon has received numerous awards for her leadership and community contributions, including the MLive 2023 Women Who Shape the State Award.