May 2025: Private Cathay Williams Buffalo Soldiers Combat Women’s Wellness Retreat

The Private Cathay Williams Buffalo Soldiers Combat Women’s Retreat, held from May 2nd to 4th, 2025, was a profoundly impactful gathering of sisterhood, healing, and empowerment. Designed as a sanctuary for women veterans, the retreat promised opportunities for restoration, growth, networking, and connection—and it delivered on every front, exceeding expectations. Victory Place facilitated wellness sessions that encouraged physical movement, trust-building, and empowerment for women veterans and first responders—creating space for self-expression and healing across generations.

• Wellness & Movement – Sponsored by Victory Place NFP (May 3)

¨     Morning Afrocentric Stretch & Movement

·       Instructor: Sheila from Inferno, 5024 S. State Street, Chicago

  http://www.theinfernobarreanddance.com

  A culturally grounded, rhythm-based movement session focused on physical renewal and deep connection to ancestral strength.

¨     Afternoon Belly Dance Class

 Instructor: Elaine from Totally Active Senior at Haynes Park, Chicago, https://www.tasinc.us/

 A celebration of body awareness and joy through expressive movement and dance.

¨     Both classes brought laughter, freedom, and energy, aligned with the retreat’s core themes of Resilience, Healing, and Transformation.