Early on Thursday morning, October 17, 2019, a couple dozen military spouses hurried about the Victory Terrace, a community events center near downtown Oak Harbor, Washington, on Whidbey Island. Some set up projectors, some arranged registration paperwork, and others greeted and prepared guest speakers. These individuals were the board members and volunteers of the Officers’ Spouses’ Club of Whidbey Island, and they were setting the stage for 120 military spouses like themselves to arrive. In the course of the day, these attendees would meet representatives from major corporations, hear from speakers who have built careers as military spouses, and spruce up their own job-hunt arsenals with complimentary resume reviews.
So began the Military Spouse Empowerment Summit, sponsored by The Boeing Company, a corporation committed to military, veterans, and their families, and hosted by the OSCWI, the base-wide Officers’ Spouses’ Club of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and a nonprofit dedicated to serving its community. In addition to attending inspiring talks and career-building workshops, spouses enjoyed catered breakfast and lunch and received professional head shots. For those with children, complimentary childcare was even available. It was a day devoted entirely to them, and they deserved it!
Guests during opening remarks
Image by H. Cru Photography
Despite spouses’ essential role in supporting their military service members, they themselves face an uphill battle when it comes to finding employment, let alone establishing satisfying careers. Nearly a quarter of military spouses are unemployed, and many more are underemployed or working jobs they are overqualified for. Between coordinating frequent moves, being stationed in remote areas, and caring for children as single parents during deployments, military spouses are often left with little time and few resources to reverse this trend.
Through this summit, Boeing and the OSCWI wanted to give spouses a chance to feel cared for and to gain the inspiration and tools they needed to get back on their feet professionally.
Military spouse guests received complimentary head shots, courtesy of Microsoft.
Image by H. Cru Photography
“Inclusiveness, diversity and connectedness are our building blocks to empower each other. We look forward to connect, build solid relationships, and leave the event inspired,” said Samar Arny, OSCWI honorary president and the spouse of the NASWI base commanding officer. “Together, we will create a mindset of empowerment, inspiration, and encouragement among our community. Successful leaders have joined us from various industries to empower us with tools and resources for our journey. These executives have lived our unique lifestyle as veterans and spouses of veterans. They are here today: to connect with us, share their stories, and equip us with answers to the how and the “Yes, I can” for our next steps.”
Event organizers Samar Arny (NASWI Base CO Wife) and Rachel Peterson (Boeing) at the start of the summit
Image by Jenifer Shampine Photography
Boeing is equally devoted to this cause. Nearly 15% of the company’s Washington employees are veterans, and more than 7,000 service members, veterans, and spouses in Washington are receiving workforce transition services from Boeing-supported programs this year.
“Boeing is committed to supporting our heroes who serve our country,” said Bill McSherry, vice president, Government Operations at Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “From our hiring and employment programs to grants and partnerships like this one, Boeing is focused on ensuring the men and women who serve this country, and the families who support them, are able to successfully transition to civilian life.”
Boeing is also focused on supporting the communities where its employees live and work. The greater Seattle and Puget Sound region contains several major military installations, including Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Naval Station Everett, Naval Base Kitsap, and Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, all of which had spouses attending the Whidbey Island summit.
In addition to the event organizers and sponsors, many nonprofits, global corporations, and veteran leaders from various industries were keen to help. Participating corporations included the USO, Microsoft, Nordstrom, Starbucks, Business Impact NW, Rosie Network, Costco, Operation Homefront, and others. These corporations provided speakers and set up networking booths. Some of the speakers were senior executives as well as former veterans and/or veteran spouses. They explored topics such as negotiating job offers, entrepreneurship, volunteering for career success, and personal branding. They also shared real-life stories to encourage the spouses who attended and show them how they too could pursue their goals in the midst of the challenges of military life.
Kristin Saboe (The Boeing Company), Christopher Schmidt (Starbucks), Bernell Zorn Jr. (Nordstrom), and Danny Chung (Microsoft) on the Global Corporations Panel discuss the value of military spouses in the workplace and world.
Image by Jenifer Shampine Photography
In the culminating event of the day, Vice Admiral DeWolfe Miller, Commander of Naval Air Forces Pacific, joined the summit with his spouse, Ellen Miller. The Millers believe that “Stronger Families Mean a Stronger Fleet” and together serve as advocates, supporters, and mentors to military families and spouses.
Vice Admiral Miller discussed the value of military spouses to the larger mission of the military and in the workplace before introducing his wife, Ellen Miller, who then addressed the assembly.
Image by Jenifer Shampine Photography
Boeing and the volunteer-run OSCWI partnered to put together an event to help spouses in their neighborhood, and from that one event, 120 military spouses left feeling rejuvenated and encouraged in their professional lives.
Event organizers, speakers, and guests celebrate at the NASWI base CO’s house after the event. Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, effort, and resources to making this summit a success!
Image by H. Cru Photography
