The U.S. Army Women’s Foundation supports Army women of the past, present and future in a variety of ways. The MVO Task Force member is a 501 c (3) non-profit that relies on individual donations and grants for its entire annual budget. Established in 1969 as an organization designed to raise funds to build the first Army Women’s Museum in Fort McClellan (now at Fort Gregg[1] Adams), the foundation has evolved in recent years to provide more support for Army women and their families in such areas as education, recognition, scholarships, and preserving history.
The foundation has branched out to Army women to honor, empower and connect them, says Director of Administration Beth Spitzley, one of just two part-time employees. Honoring these veteran heroes comes in the form of induction into the U.S. Army Women’s Foundation Hall of Fame. Women who have served in the Army or the Armed Forces and have contributed extraordinary service are eligible. The Hall of Fame was first established in 2009 and is located at Fort Gregg[1]-Adams in Virginia.
Connections are made with Army women each year at the foundation’s Leader Development Symposium held at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. during the annual AUSA meeting. This symposium provides an opportunity for Army women to learn about topics of interest to them and to engage with other veterans. In addition, the foundation provides ongoing storytelling and communications about the impact of women heroes through their social media pages and their monthly e-newsletter The Flagpole.
“We do whatever we can to support and recognize Army Women,” says Spitzley. “We have some wonderful sponsors, but fundraising can be a challenge. We can always use more support.” Spitzley added that all board members are volunteers.
The 2023 U. S. Army Women’s Foundation Leader Development Symposium will be held on Monday, October 9 from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. featuring several leaders who will be speaking about “The Limitless Possibilities for Army Women – Be All That You Can Be” in Washington, DC. You can get more information about the Leader Development panel and learn more about the U.S. Army Women’s Foundation by visiting their website or contacting Spitzley online.
