On the heels of widespread pension cut debate, military spouses are rallying on the Hill next week to learn about what it takes to run for office, from both sides of the aisle.
Congressional decisions affect every aspect of military family life: wages, whether to go to war, how often and where families move, and what happens to their pensions. Highly educated and professionally-trained military spouses are increasing in numbers, and noticing the lack of understanding about them in Congress. They’ve decided the best way to remedy the problem is to elect more of their own to serve on Capitol Hill.
To change the conversation in Washington, D.C., In Gear Career and the Military Spouse JD Network (MSJDN) have teamed up to deliver insider tips for military spouses interested in running for Congress. On Tuesday February 11, 2014 at the Reserve Officers Association, Republicans and Democrats alike are lined up to present “Homefront Rising” to the group of over 50 spouses. The packed agenda includes instructions about how to build a public image, understand the financial requirements and responsibilities of campaigning, pitch policy to lawmakers, and staff and manage an effective campaign.
Presenters include US Army veteran and double amputee Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill), military spouse and South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley (R), USMC veteran and Rep. Scott Rigell (R-Va), military brat and Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (D-Mass), Naval Aviator and Iraq/Afghanistan veteran and reservist Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-Ok), Current National Guardswoman and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hi), and USAF Veteran and Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Wa).
MSJDN President Mary Reding and In Gear Career founders and Wittenberg Weiner co-owners Lauren Weiner and Donna Huneycutt came up with the idea because they wanted to see the talents of their colleagues used for the entire community. “We’re excited about seeing highly qualified candidates who happen to be married to the military step forward, and we’re educating them with the best tools available. They’re representatives that can give our entire military community a place at the table,” says Reding.
The trio sees the program as exactly the kind of progress that’s needed in Washington, D.C. right now. “When these military families have a clear place at the table, our country will be stronger for it,” says Weiner. Huneycutt points out why it makes sense to tap into the military spouse community: “Military spouse businesswomen, policy experts, volunteers and academics among us understand and personally experience the relationship between government policy decisions and real world ripple effects on families. Our time has come to lead.”
Details about how to attend the event can be obtained from the Eventbrite.com listing here.
View the full press release here: Homefront Rising Press Release