WILLIAMSBURG — William & Mary’s Military & Veteran Affairs office will host its second annual Empowering Military Spouses Symposium on Friday at the school’s Raymond A. Mason School of Business, with more than 200 attendees expected, according to organizers.
The free event carries the theme “Embrace History. Empower Legacy. Elevate the Next 250 Years.” Organizers say the symposium is designed to connect military spouse experiences to the broader arc of American history while addressing topics such as leadership, identity, career transition and resilience.
Amber Price, senior vice president and enterprise chief nursing officer at Sentara Health and a military spouse herself, will deliver the keynote address. Author and licensed professional counselor Corie Weathers will lead a workshop on navigating the complexities of military spouse life.
Additional sessions will cover financial legacy, military marriages and career networking. A panel on military spouses throughout history is planned in partnership with Strategic Cultural Partnerships.
Kathleen Jabs, special assistant to the president for Military & Veteran Affairs, said the event reflects the university’s broader commitment to civic leadership.
“Since the founding of our nation, military spouses have strengthened families, communities and our country, often without recognition,” Jabs said. “As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, this symposium is an opportunity to honor that legacy and continue to build a community where military families feel supported, connected and empowered to lead.”
The symposium was conceived by Lindsay Blount, senior director of outreach and management for Military & Veteran Affairs and an Air Force spouse, who built this year’s program around direct feedback from attendees of the inaugural event. A planning team of 10 military spouses from William & Mary and the surrounding community helped shape the program.
“This symposium is for military spouses, by military spouses,” Blount said.
Childcare for up to 50 children in kindergarten through eighth grade will be provided at no cost. Following the event, monthly webinar sessions with guest speakers are planned to sustain connections formed at the symposium, an addition Blount said came directly from participant feedback.
The symposium is sponsored in part by Leidos, USAA, PenFed Credit Union, Fiserv and First Command.
