G.I. JOSIE-HEAL & CONQUER PTSD

Laurabeth Messimer Lopez of Castroville to found G.I. Josie, a startup nonprofit for female veterans. She founded the organization in November 2014, years after her own daughter, Cassandra Lopez, was sexually harassed while serving in the Navy. When Cassandra reported the harassment to a male superior, her complaint was disregarded, she says. “We just want to be listened to,” Cassandra says. “Just to know that someone is on your side – I think that in itself is huge.”