Annual BPW Foundation Celebrate Women’s History — Make Women’s History Event

Honorary Chair First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama 

Washington, D.C. – In celebration of Women’s History Month 2014, Business and Professional Women’s (BPW) Foundation honored the achievements, dedication to duty, and patriotism of women veterans, military/veteran spouses, female caregivers of wounded warriors, and women who have lost a loved one serving our nation during their second annual Celebrate Women’s History – Make Women’s History event. The program took place at the United States Navy Memorial in Washington, DC and featured two Career Development Panel Sessions and a Cocktail & Networking/ Award Reception for over 350 participants and guests.

The Career Development Panel sessions were tailored to women veterans, military/veteran spouses, wounded warrior caregivers and survivors of fallen service members. Panelists Christine Ayers (PriceWaterhouseCoopers), Ellen Gardner (Citi), Kia Silver Hodge (Northrop Grumman), and Beverly VanTull (Bon Secours) shared “Tools & Resources for the Civilian Workplace.” Jennifer Finder (BAE Systems), Wendy Warren (NBC4), and Crystal Williams (MetaLogix, Inc.) offered Social Media Strategies for Career Success” including the use of social media to explore industries and career opportunities, create an online brand, and cultivate networks.

The event was moderated by NBC4 Washington News Anchor Erika Gonzalez, with remarks from NBC4 President and General Manager Jackie Bradford, MTCI President/CEO Dalena Kanouse, BPW Foundation Board of Trustees Chair Roslyn Ridgeway and JPMorgan Chase Managing Director, Military & Veterans Affairs, Maureen Casey, Citi Managing Director and Regional Head of Markets, Suni Harford. White House Fellow Cara G. LaPointe, Commander, United States Navy, spoke on behalf of First Lady Michelle Obama.

BPW Foundation recognized the vital contributions made by Joining Forces Mentoring Plus® Champions presenting awards to Courtney Banks Spaeth, Founder & CEO of NSAWW: Angel Outreach Award; Alliant Credit Union: Innovative Programming Award; Booz Allen Hamilton: Action With Compassion Award; and BPW North Carolina: Grassroots Award.

“We are proud to honor women veterans, military/veteran spouses, wounded warrior caregivers, and survivors of fallen service members during Women’s History Month, and to celebrate the role these women play in making history every day. We applaud the outstanding commitment and accomplishments of this year’s award winners in their work to support BPW Foundation’s programs to support this audience,” said BPW Foundation CEO Deborah Frett. “Joining Forces Mentoring Plus program has grown exponentially during the program’s second year thanks to the personal and financial commitment of our partners.”

The event was made possible by the support of BPW Foundation-Joining Forces Mentoring Plus® Women’s History Month Celebration sponsors, MTCI, Citi, NBC4, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Northrop Grumman, and Alliant Credit Union Foundation, among others. A full list of sponsors can be found at https://bpwfoundation.org/bpwf/misc/Make_Womens_History_Event_March_18_2014

About Joining Forces Mentoring Plus® and BPW Foundation

The legacy of Business and Professional Women’s (BPW) Foundation began in 1919
to support workforce development programs and workplace policies that recognize the diverse needs of working women, communities, and businesses. Through its groundbreaking research and as a convener of employers and employees, BPW Foundation strives to redefine today’s workplace by encouraging partnerships to create successful workplaces that embrace and practice diversity, equity, and work-life balance.

Joining Forces for Women Veterans and Military Spouses Mentoring Plus® offers unlimited free personal coaching and professional guidance— including working women mentors—for women veterans of all ranks and eras, military/ veteran spouses, caregivers of wounded warriors, and survivors of fallen service members to help them successfully identify, outline, and pursue civilian careers.

To learn more, visit https://www.bpwfoundation.org. To join Joining Forces Mentoring Plus® as a member, mentor, subject matter expert, or mentee, visit http://www.womenjoiningforces.com.

 

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