Announcing the 2025 Beyond the Call of Duty Award Winners
Honoring Women Who Serve and Inspire
Women Veterans Giving is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Beyond the Call of Duty Award, a special recognition honoring military women who continue to make a powerful impact both in uniform and beyond. This annual award honors one active duty, Guard, or Reservist and one veteran who have gone above and beyond in service to their communities and fellow service members. These women demonstrate leadership, compassion, and commitment beyond the call of duty.
Congratulations to our 2025 Honorees:
SSGT Iuliia Lytvynova, U.S. Air Force
Active Duty, Guard, or Reserve Category Winner
Staff Sergeant Lytvynova has exemplified unwavering dedication not only through her service in the U.S. Air Force but also in her tireless efforts to uplift and support her community. Her leadership, advocacy, and mission-focused impact are truly remarkable.
Sgt Lytvynova spearheaded the update of over 700 Emergency State Active Duty profiles, achieving 100% mobilization readiness and ensuring accurate, on-time pay for all personnel responding to potential state emergencies such as wildfires, rescues, or civil unrest responses.
As a key contributor to the Air National Guard Separations Project, she played a vital role on a hand-picked 39-member team that cleared more than 1,500 overdue separation actions, enhancing force readiness and data accuracy across all 90 Air National Guard Wings throughout the nation.
Exemplifying resilience and physical grit, she completed a grueling 1.3-mile open water swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco in just 46 minutes, demonstrating mental toughness and elite endurance.
Recognized for her unwavering commitment to excellence, she was named the 195th Wing Non-Commissioned Officer of the Quarter for 2024, honored for her superior customer service and mission-driven work ethic.
Her commitment to operational excellence, personal resilience, and community impact exemplifies what it truly means to go beyond the call of duty. SSgt Lytvynova leads by example, inspiring those around her through both her professional accomplishments and her personal drive. Her dedication to service, both in and out of uniform, sets a high standard for others to follow and reflects the very spirit of this award.
Heidy Cicogna, U.S. Navy Veteran
Veteran Category Winner
Heidy Cicogna’s journey of service began when she joined the United States Marine Corps immediately after high school, serving from 2003 to 2007 as an Aviation Ordnance Specialist. During her military career, she was stationed at Camp Pendleton’s air station and attached to HMLA-267 and HMLAT-303. She earned the designation of Collateral Duty Inspector (CDI) on UH-1H Hueys and AH-1 Cobras, ensuring the highest standards of maintenance and safety.
After completing her military service, Heidy transitioned into government contracting and remained at Camp Pendleton, where she trained pilots in flight simulators. Eventually, she returned to her hometown of Los Angeles before settling in Sacramento, where she began pursuing higher education but ultimately chose to focus on raising her three children and dedicating her time to family.
Seven years ago, Heidy reconnected with the veteran community in search of the camaraderie she had missed. Since then, she has been actively involved in several veteran-focused organizations, including Placer Veterans Court Treatment, the Marine Corps League, Semper Fi Association, Military Order of the Devil Dogs, Toys for Tots, and the Placer County Veterans Monument. In recognition of her extensive community outreach, she was honored with a Distinguished Service Award from the Marine Corps League.
Alongside her volunteer work, Heidy returned to school, earning a degree in Administration of Justice and is currently pursuing a law degree. Her dedication to serving her community and fellow veterans continues to inspire all who know her.
A shining example of continued service after military life, Heidy Cicogna has made it her mission to support others through mentorship, volunteerism, and community engagement. Her efforts to empower fellow women veterans and improve the lives of those she serves reflect the true spirit of going beyond the call of duty.
These two incredible women embody what it means to serve with purpose, and we are honored to celebrate their contributions.
To learn more about the Beyond the Call of Duty Award and how you can nominate a deserving woman for next year, visit Beyond The Call Of Duty.