The Army Women’s Foundation Symposium and Luncheon attracts key decision makers from corporations and foundations, as well as, Congressional and senior military representatives. It offers invigorating panel discussions on issues relevant to U.S. Army Women. The 2012 Symposium, Changing Missions, Changing Roles, will explore key issues of transition with panels focusing on the differences between a military culture and civilian society; and how to enter the mainstream of American civilian life, be it at home, in the workplace, educational institutions, or in community life.

As an exciting dimension to the 2012 Symposium, the proceedings will be videotaped and disseminated via various media formats for all military service women, their families, and others interested in the issues of transition. Whether in Texas, Washington D.C. or Afghanistan, servicewomen will be able to benefit from the experience, knowledge and advice of those who participate in the Symposium.

LTG Patricia Horoho will be the keynoter at the Symposium. She is the first female Surgeon General of the Army. Panel participants to date include MG Marcia Anderson (Deputy Chief, Army Reserve, Dawn Halfaker (Halfaker and Associates), William Offutt (Military to Medicine), and Ronald Dratch (immediate past President Disabled American Veterans).

Immediately following the Symposium, there will be a networking session for all participants to meet with each other and explore avenues of potential collaborations and partnerships.

During the Luncheon, the Foundation will induct new members into the Army Women’s Hall of Fame. This year they will be honoring the Women Who Served in Vietnam. Thousands of U.S. Army nurses served in Vietnam between 1956-1973. The largest for any single year was 900 in 1969. The officers of the Army Nurse Corps cared for soldiers in their hour of greatest need. They nursed, they comforted, and they made sure no patient died alone. They selflessly endured countless hours of their patient’s pain, sorrow, screams, blood, mutilation and at times death. And when it was over, the officers of the Army Nurse Corps quietly came home. All paid an emotional price for that year in Vietnam. They will be joining the 2011 honorees, Sergeant Major Grace Mueller, USA (Ret) and the First Female Graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point, class of 1980. As well as Brigadier General Evelyn P. Foote, USA (Ret), U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major Cindy Pritchett, USA (Ret), the Honorable L. Tammy Duckworth and Brigadier General Wilma Vaught, USAF (Ret). Additionally, the Foundation will give a special recognition award to Senator Daniel Inouye, a World War II Veteran, Medal of Honor Recipient and a staunch supporter of women in the Military.

The value of the shared knowledge derived from the Symposium and experienced at the luncheon will be unique to each servicewoman. The goal of the event is to provide a clear roadmap to assist all military service women and men in overcoming the challenges of transition to civilian life and the workforce while honoring those who served before. Come join us in the on March 13. The Symposium begins at 9:00 a.m. For more information on the Army Women’s Foundation please visit our website at www.armywomensfoundation.org.

back to top