Cape Coral veteran leads effort to build first female veterans monument in Southwest Florida

Lisa Arnold, president of Sisters in Arms of Cape Coral and a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, is leading an initiative to construct a monument in Cape Coral to honor female veterans, which would be the first of its kind in Southwest Florida.

"I spent 28 years on active duty, retiring in 2021," Arnold said.

Arnold began seeking approval for the project in 2024, inspired by her experiences as a veteran.

"My service was allowed because of the women who have come before me, and all those women who have laced up combat boots set the path for me and for many women in my generation," Arnold said.

She said that female veterans often feel their contributions are overlooked.

"I've noticed, and many of my peers and many of my fellow female veterans, we've noticed that our stories are minimized or unheard," Arnold said. "I know people have asked my peers, like, are those your ribbons at your desk?"

Cape Coral City Councilmember Jennifer Nelson-Lastra is one of Arnold's strongest supporters for the project.

"I just feel like our city is so veteran friendly, and I feel like this is just another way we have an opportunity to celebrate veterans and especially female veterans," Nelson-Lastra said.

For Nelson-Lastra, the project is also deeply personal.

"I'm the daughter of a Vietnam vet and granddaughter of a World War II vet and the sister of a Persian Gulf vet, so to me, this was a natural fit," she said.

The Sisters in Arms of Cape Coral have raised just over $30,000 toward their $400,000 fundraising goal. Arnold said she hopes the monument will be completed by 2028.

"Whenever we get this monument here is going to be a great day for all the women that have served our country," Arnold said.