From Our President & CEO: A Reflection on 20 Years Since the September 11 Attacks

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This year, we acknowledge that two decades have passed since an extremely dark time in our nation’s history. Following the attacks on September 11, 2001, first responders and frontline workers bore much of the brunt of the destruction impact and recovery efforts. Many of those heroes have faced a new challenge over the past two years with the widespread devastation of COVID-19. As time has passed and we have seen the tireless bravery of the frontline healthcare workers, emergency responders, hospital staff, and countless others who have faced our nation’s challenges head-on, I want to express my gratitude for their sacrifice, grace and courage.

At United WE, we make a concentrated effort to acknowledge the struggles of frontline, veteran and survivor families. We know that our work cannot replace the grief felt by the families impacted by events like September 11th or COVID-19, but we do know that policies and programs can help share the burden.

Today our policy efforts are concentrated on improving conditions for families, and we are proud of the progress we have made in Kansas and Missouri to acknowledge the service members who put their lives on the line, and their families who make great sacrifices from home. We advocate for and support programs that invest in these families’ ability to fully participate in the workforce as a small tribute to those who choose to serve their communities. 

One key piece of our work is focused on education, and we have supported bills and expansions that provide the children and spouses of veterans or first responders killed or injured in the line of duty with the opportunity to pursue higher education without the burden of tuition or debt. We also advocate for occupational licensing reciprocity, knowing that women are often disproportionately affected by state-to-state regulations for service licenses and occupations. We applaud and thank leaders like Missouri Governor Mike Parson and Kansas Governor Laura Kelly for sharing our commitment to advocating for veterans and their families. 

Our support of this legislation is based on objective research findings. United WE, formerly Women’s Foundation, conducted a “Project Diane” study that focused on the integration of women into leadership positions in the U.S. Army Special Forces. Additionally, “The Status of Women in Kansas” research report focused on economic development indicators and developed a baseline to monitor Kansas’ progress to advance women’s economic and civic leadership.

I want to share a few highlights from our recent and upcoming work: 

  • The Veterans & Survivors Grant Program in Missouri 

    • This grant was enacted to provide support to children and spouses of veterans impacted while serving in action. 

  • The Veteran & First Responders Program in Kansas 

  • HB 2021: adds to the Wartime Veteran and First Responder Survivors’ Educational Opportunities

    • This important legislation furthers our mission to advance all women’s economic leadership by expanding an education fund for spouses and family members of individuals that died, and now includes individuals injured in the line of duty. It allows for up to $350,000 to be awarded per year. 

  • Ahead of the 20th anniversary of 9/11 next month, I will participate in a press conference with Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple to share how we need more legislation like HB 2021 that benefits the families of wartime veterans and first responder survivors, and reflects Kansas’ ongoing commitment to military families, higher education and workforce development opportunities.

We are pleased with this progress, and know that advocating for veteran families is an ongoing priority as our world continues to evolve and new challenges surface. As we observe the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and continue to battle the coronavirus, I ask you to remember those who put their lives on the line amid these tragedies. How are you supporting the veterans, survivors and families in your community? I invite you to learn more about our work here, and share the opportunity of this education benefit with the families of wartime veterans and first responder survivors. 

Thank you to the women and men who serve our country. Your bravery, compassion and dedication are what make us proud to be Americans. 

Kindly,

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Wendy D. Doyle, President & CEO