JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The Lace, Grace & Gears Rally, a nationally recognized women’s motorcycle event, is roaring into Johnson City later this month, bringing a mission far greater than the love of riding. From Sept. 26 to 29, women riders nationwide will gather to raise awareness and funds for a cause close to their hearts: homeless female veterans.
This year's rally, organized to support the nonprofit Shamwari Village for Women, highlights the pressing issue of homelessness among female veterans, a demographic that is rapidly growing but often overlooked. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), female veterans are three to four times more likely to become homeless than non-veteran women, with contributing factors such as unemployment, mental health challenges, and lack of access to adequate healthcare. The situation is further complicated by the fact that many female veterans remain invisible in the federal count of homeless individuals due to unconventional survival strategies like couch-surfing with friends and family.
The Lace, Grace & Gears Rally is an official fundraising event for Shamwari Village, which aims to build a 60-80-acre community specifically for homeless female veterans and young women facing mental health struggles. This ambitious project, currently in its early stages, envisions a holistic healing environment that includes furnished micro-homes, communal kitchens, parks, walking trails, a health center, and even a chapel for spiritual fellowship.
"This is about more than just providing shelter; it’s about creating a community where these women can regain their independence and heal from the traumas they’ve faced," said a spokesperson from Shamwari Village. "Our female veterans served us. Now it's our time to serve them."
The rally, which began as a grassroots event, has evolved into a massive gathering, celebrating sisterhood and empowerment while championing the needs of female veterans. This year's theme, "Sisterhood on Steroids," encapsulates the unity and camaraderie of women bikers who come together to ride and make a difference.
In addition to rides through the scenic Tennessee hills, the four-day event will feature live music, bike shows, and various vendor booths. All proceeds will go towards Shamwari Village’s mission to break ground on the village. The weekend is not just about fundraising—it’s about raising awareness for an issue that too often flies under the radar.
"The sad truth is that many of our female veterans don’t receive the recognition or support they need after serving their country," says Pat Montoya, a longtime participant in the rally. "This rally is a way for us to give back, to show them that we see them and that their service matters."
The statistics surrounding homeless female veterans are alarming. The VA has acknowledged that women veterans face unique challenges upon returning to civilian life, with PTSD, unemployment, and disabilities often playing a significant role in their instability. Organizations like Shamwari Village are working to change that narrative, and the Lace, Grace & Gears Rally is a crucial step in making that vision a reality.
Shamwari’s proposed village will provide safe and affordable housing and essential services such as mental health care, job training, and childcare. It is designed as a community to foster healing and personal growth, allowing these women to rebuild their lives in a supportive and nurturing environment.
As Johnson City prepares to welcome hundreds of bikers, the local community is also gearing up to participate in the event. Local businesses, organizations, and veterans’ groups have backed the cause, recognizing the impact this rally could have on the women it serves and the region.
Shamwari Village is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing holistic support for homeless female veterans and young women facing mental health challenges. Their mission is to build a community that offers safe housing, mental health services, and opportunities for independence and personal growth.
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