Expanding Our View of Diversity – Update on Women Veterans Interactive

Written by Nancy Ridge
September 9, 2020

Despite society's struggles, as a community committed to change, we persist.

Nancy Ridge

Back in early June, I asked our channel/tech community to step up and give to 501c3 Women Veterans Interactive (WVI) as a way to take action in response to the ongoing inequality brought to light by Black Lives Matter. Back then we were all reeling from the murder of George Floyd. Today, two months later, and again we are stunned by the shooting of Jacob Blake and the subsequent racist anti-protester violence in Kenosha. It is heartbreaking to see these horrendous acts continue to happen. I am sometimes overcome by my powerlessness in the face of so much hate.

Yet, as a community committed to change, we persist. In this particular case, the channel has responded in a number of ways. In particular, Cristina Morrell, channel champion at LogMeIn, backed by Amy Wendel, global head of corporate social responsibility, has stepped up with an in-kind donation of licenses and expertise to help WVI CEO Ginger Miller create and launch the very first all-digital National Women Veterans Leadership and Diversity Conference, Nov. 12-14, 2020.

“We are hoping to reach a bigger audience than ever before,” says Ginger Miller. “We’re anticipating 750 attendees and are launching our first virtual career fair. It’s so vital that we continue to connect, engage and empower women veterans during COVID-19, and this virtual conference is the perfect way to do it. It fits directly into the Women Veterans Interactive mission of meeting women veterans at their points of need through advocacy, empowerment, interaction, outreach and unification. I’m grateful to have the support of Nancy Ridge, the channel, and the wonderful ladies at LogMeIn — Cristina Morrell and Amy Wendel.”

There is still more to do. WVI still has sponsorship packages available, as well as opportunities to support technical needs such as creating a landing page and a strategy for capturing the analytics from the show to extend its impact, as well as to lay the foundation for improving the next event. If you are a veteran, if you come from a military family, if you have a heart for these brave women who face great adversity after they come home from serving — then step up and take action. Together, we can show our support for change and make a difference in someone’s life.

The mission of Women Veterans Interactive (WVI) is to meet women veterans at their points of need through advocacy, empowerment, interaction, outreach, and unification to break down the barriers that lead to homelessness. WVI addresses the unique – and often unrecognized – challenges facing our nation’s 2.3 million women veterans as they return to civilian life. With members nationwide, WVI provides outreach and support services to thousands of women veterans through the three pillars of transition: empowerment, leadership and diversity. WVI offers tailored programs, training and resources to equip women veterans at all stages of their military transition.

Nancy Ridge is founder and president of Ridge Innovative. She also is a member of the Allies of the Channel Council.