Welcome to the Evolving Folks Project’s Evolved Woman of the Week profile. Each week, we highlight an individual who embodies what it means to be an evolved person, famous and non-famous alike. This week’s honor goes to author, artist, social worker, and Iraq War veteran Michelle B. Dallocchio.
Dallocchio was born in New York City and grew up in a military family that moved often. At 17, she enlisted in the U.S. Army from Oakland, California. She spent eight years in the Army, working as a medic, mental health sergeant, and retention NCO. In 2004 and 2005, she served in Ramadi, Iraq, as part of “Team Lioness,” the first female team to work with Marine infantry units on checkpoint operations, house raids, and searching Iraqi women and children for weapons and explosives.
Dallocchio’s work has been featured in media outlets like the San Francisco Chronicle, The New York Times, Las Vegas Review-Journal, PBS, and Yahoo!. She earned a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California, with a focus on macro and military social work. She also received the David L. Boren Scholarship for her work in Czech studies and international relations. She also holds a certification in business and international relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
She now lives in Milan, Italy, with her family, where she works on multimedia projects, manuscripts, and art exhibitions. She also serves on the board of the Veteran Art Institute, is a member of AMEPPA, and is the Veterans Caucus Chair for Democrats Abroad Italy.
‘The Desert Warrior’ by Michelle Dallocchio is a memoir about overcoming trauma and showing resilience. It offers a close look at a soldier’s experience returning from the early years of the Iraq War. After losing her money, belongings, and fiancé, she returned to the U.S. feeling distant from her family, friends, and daily life.
After being rejected by her peers and the VA because she is a female combat veteran, she began a worldwide search to find what “home” truly means to her. As a mixed-race woman and one of the first women in direct combat roles in the U.S. military, she believes that everyone needs acceptance, care, and a place they can call home.
Michelle B. Dallocchio shares in her own words why she moved from the United States to Europe and how Trump’s 2024 election influenced her decision.
“Watching Trump’s victory from afar was difficult because it’s a country I once fought for. Now, it feels like progress is unraveling.
As the results came in, people I care about started reaching out, saying, “We need to go.” I’ve spent the last few days looking up options for people…
Countries like Italy and Portugal allow citizenship by descent. I ask my friends, “How close is that ancestry, and how realistic is it for you to relocate based on it? Can you get another passport?”
If that’s not so possible, I suggest considering digital nomad visas or, depending on your vocation, looking for other job opportunities overseas.
I had the chance to work with Mrs. Dallocchio many years ago. She is intelligent, creative, and as fierce as a lioness, just like her old unit’s name. Everyone at the Evolving Folks Project wishes Michelle Dallocchio continued success in all she does. Today, we honor Michelle B. Dallocchio as our Evolved Woman of the Week.
