By Victoria Mejicanos
AFRO Staff Writer
vmejicanos@afro.com
From caring for soldiers during the Vietnam War to mentoring young women and opening the first program at Aberdeen Proving Ground and more, retired U.S. Army Colonel Jo Ann Jolivet’s service has always reflected her commitment to her community, and helping others excel.
Jolivet is now being honored nationally, and will be inducted next year into the U.S Women’s Army Foundation’s Class of 2026 on March 12 for her trailblazing service in the military and her post-military work in Maryland.
Jolivet shared her surprise at the honor, as awards or nominations were not something she sought when she enlisted. She didn’t initially realize her time in the Army would become a lifelong career.
“I’m not one to look for fame and glory,” Jolivet said. “I enjoyed what I did, I enjoy what I’m doing now, and I just feel blessed and I’m honored to receive such, but it’s not something I was seeking.”
Elizabeth Anne Helm-Frazier, treasurer for the Army Women’s Foundation, considers Jolivet a mentor and friend. They met when they were both serving at Fort Ord in California where Jolivet was the assistant chief nurse.
“She promotes opportunity, especially for women coming into the military,” Helm-Frazier said. “She’s the big cheerleader of women taking on those roles that were traditionally male, and doing your very best in that opportunity.”
Helm-Frazier added that Jolivet always gave advice that was practical, fair and applicable; reminding people no matter how times were, “someone is always watching you.”
She also shared that Brigadier General Claire Adams Ender, a former Army chief for the Army Nurse Corps and a 2019 inductee herself, nominated Jolivet for the Hall of Fame. Ender, who Jolivet worked under, was instrumental in both of their careers. Helm-Frazier described her as “legendary.”
Jolivet shared that camaraderie, mentorship and respect is what kept her in the military for more than 20 years. Caring for men— especially young men— during the Vietnam war was a formative experience for her.
“We learned a lot from them and we took great care of them,” said Jolivet. “We worked and we didn’t look at the time or how long we had been working. We stayed and we worked until everything was completed. It was that kind of camaraderie, that kind of discipline that I really enjoyed.”
Aside from camaraderie, Jolivet said the Army taught her leadership. Seeing women continue to excel in their leadership and mentor her to do the same is what kept her motivated and allowed her to do the same for others. “My glory is to see the impact that I had on others,” she said.
When asked what she would tell the women who serve today, she shared advice she always did while in uniform. “Leave the military with more than what you came in with. There is so much to learn while you are in the military, in terms of leadership and in terms of your profession”
The 2026 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Thursday, March 12, 2026, 1 p.m., at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Va.