Women Veterans - Leaders for Life

Donna Rasmussen joined the U.S. Navy in 1981 because of a thunderstorm. Having  moved from her home in the suburbs of Philadelphia to Delaware, she was out for a jog  when a terrible thunderstorm hit. She escaped into the open door of the local Navy recruitment office. Four days later she was on a plane to boot camp in Florida.

Although, recruitment was not expected, the Navy training Donna experienced gave her the confidence and leadership skills she needed. From 1981 until 1986 Donna served and achieved the rank of 3 rd Class Petty Officer while a data processing technician on the USS Dixon-AS37.

Today she is the executive director of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Northern Illinois, a nonprofit organization providing housing counseling and financial literacy education. Leading a crusade to publicize the cuts in grant funding for housing counseling is her major focus. She is the Junior Vice Commander of Woodstock American Legion Post 412, and she graduated in the 2024 class of Leadership Greater McHenry County. Additionally, Donna was named Women of Distinction by Shaw Media in 2025.

Leading and serving others is a common theme in the lives of many women veterans. Donna is one of several area veterans who have leveraged their military training into careers, community service and government. She is one of four women officers for the Legion. Vietnam era U. S. Army veteran Lou Ness, is the current and first woman Commander since the Woodstock Legion was chartered in 1920. In addition to building overall membership, the Legion’s board is focused on expanding awareness and inclusion of women veterans so all realize the veteran benefits for which they are eligible.

Women account for more than 2.1 million U.S. veterans according to a 2023 report from the U.S. Dept. of Veteran Affairs, and, that report notes that women represent 17.9% of all active-duty military, a percentage that continues to grow year after year.

After the U.S. Army, Lou Ness raised her family and was involved in supporting those in need for more than 20 years as executive director of Turning Point domestic violence treatment center. In a government capacity, she has served on the McHenry County Board in District 7. Currently Lou leads those going through life transitions with
her business, Forward Effect Coaching and Consulting.

Kate Dopita’s military background provided her with the skills to lead families through difficult transitions as a funeral director/embalmer for the past 14 years. She joined the Army National Guard after high school because she did not have funds for college and did not have career direction.

“I needed guidance, discipline and I wanted to belong to something of importance,” she explains. “I am very proud of my service. It built me into a person who respects others, is confident, and can lead.”

Even before boot camp, Kate was thrust into a military training competition and found her team winning. The next year, Kate was ‘volunteered’ to lead the team and they won again. She found a strength and courage she previously had not known that still carries her through life’s challenges.

From 2007 until 2015, Kate served as Specialist. During her service, she attended Worsham College of Mortuary Science, graduating in 2012. She joined Davenport Funeral Home & Crematory where she led families through the transition of losing someone special in their lives. In September of this year, Kate was hired by Colonial Funeral Home in McHenry and will continue her career as a funeral director/embalmer.

Air Force core values are lived by Nicole Eisenrich who served from 1997 to 2002 with the rank of E-5 Staff Sargent. Her learned core values are: Integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do. After high school, Nicole did not follow her father’s example like her siblings of joining the Marine Corps. She chose the Air Force and became an armament specialist on F-15s and F-22s at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. Nicole and her crew were recognized multiple times as “Load Crew of the Quarter” for excellent teamwork and capabilities.

In 2016, Nicole began to oversee a program through Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association to provide fitness, fellowship and women-only events for local disabled and qualified veterans. She continues to oversee the program today which has delivered services to more than 600 qualified veterans in the area.

In her civilian career, Nicole has more than 20-years of experience as a loss prevention consultant. She is currently with Strategic Comp Insurance. Involved with many veteran organizations around her Lake-in-the-Hills home, Nicole is also chair of the Advisory Board at Illinois State University for Occupational Safety & Health programs, as well as a 2024 Woman of Achievement recipient from Shaw Media.

As a child, Chef Joanne Thomas dreamed of becoming a pediatrician. In high school, her same-age niece wanted to join the Marine Corps and asked Joanne to buddy with her. While the two women were in boot camp, the niece was discharged and went home. Joanne could have left but is glad she didn’t. “I was a top-secret clearance Communications Operator and served for a year in Okinawa, Japan. I loved the travel,
meeting new people and the camaraderie.”

The joy of learning she was pregnant with her first child was overshadowed by
the death of her fiancé. Joanne had to single-parent through her toddler’s childhood
Leukemia. She credits the Grace of God that helped her get through her son’s medical
treatments while she worked third shift as a customer service representative for Marriott.

With faith and grace, Joanne’s son recovered and her career evolved from hospitality services to chef. The culinary training at area colleges augmented Joanne’s skills learned from her mother’s good cooking and her own Easy Bake Oven years. She has been an executive chef at Northern Illinois University, cooked and catered for high society, and travelled worldwide to offer cooking classes and culinary experiences. Currently she is planning a trip to Thailand in 2027 and a trip to Cape Town Africa in 2028.

International Travel Chef and Caterer Joanne Thomas created her own spice blends, gourmet butters, batters, and dressings available at The Chef Shoppe at the Shops on Main in Huntley. She teaches culinary arts at Huntley High School, is an author and busy entrepreneur. She credits her Marine Corps training for her discipline, persistence and ability to adapt and overcome. “The Marine Corps training has followed me through everything I have done.”

Donna, Lou, Kate, Nicole and Joanne are examples of women veterans who learned valuable life lessons in the military and incorporated them into every aspect of their lives. Their military training made them stronger – both physically and mentally, gave them discipline, self-reliance, confidence and the leadership skills to make positive change in  their world and the people they encounter. Remember to recognize and respect our women veterans this Veterans Day and every day!