As we approach Memorial Day, I encourage you to pause and reflect on the importance of this day. Open your ears and your heart to our community’s heroes. Service members put their lives on the line each day and their family members make great sacrifices for their loved ones to serve and protect our communities. Investing in their families is a fitting tribute to those individuals who chose to serve their communities.
This Memorial Day, I’m more reflective than ever as hundreds of thousands of American lives have been lost to COVID-19. I think about the women and families, military personnel, public safety officers, veterans, and others whose lives have been impacted. Despite the circumstances, they believed in a cause and showed up each day to fight for progress and change. If the past year has taught us anything, it’s that we must stand up for what we believe. We must overcome no matter the circumstances. No matter how high the barriers may seem. No matter how impossible the challenges may appear.
Supporting military spouses and families through our policy work is a small token of gratitude for families of fallen or injured veterans, first responders and public safety officers. United WE is a leader in creating gender equity, but our work wouldn’t be possible without state leaders who collaborate with us to advance our mission.
An example is HB 2021 that Governor Laura Kelly recently signed into law in Kansas. This important legislation furthers our mission to advance all women’s economic leadership by expanding an education fund for military and first responder spouses and family members of heroes that died, and now includes individuals injured in the line of duty. Legislation like HB 2021 is vital for the many who have lost loved ones in the line of duty and is a step in the right direction to support the dignity and livelihood of survivors and families of our heroes.
In addition, we are proud to see continued support from the legislature and Governor Parson for the Veterans’ Survivor Grant Program we advocated for in Missouri. This program helps improve the financial well-being of military and first responder families and strengthen our economy.
Finally, United WE has had great success in achieving policy reform for occupational licensing, including reduced licensing fees barriers and licensing reciprocity for military spouses. More of our recent achievements are detailed here on our website.
The economic development and empowerment of women begins with understanding what is holding women back and then generating fresh solutions to longstanding challenges. We listened and learned from the challenges our military families face through our research. We developed innovative solutions to drive policy, change, and reduced barriers for military spouses and their families. We still have work to do, and with your support, will continue to listen and generate pragmatic solutions.
This Memorial Day, I encourage you to unite with us in listening and reflecting. Ask yourself, “How can I support and remove obstacles for America’s families and our service members?”
Kindly,
