Military Spouses, Employers Attend One-of-a-Kind Networking Event at Maryland’s Government House
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, First Lady Dawn Moore, Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller, and Maryland Department of Veteran Affairs Secretary Tony Woods, in collaboration with Hiring Our Heroes, hosted a one-of-a-kind networking event for military spouses on February 5 at Maryland‘s Government House, the governor’s official residence.
“We know employment is one of the biggest challenges facing military families and we have a responsibility to ensure that in Maryland, our military families can get hired, even as they travel,” Moore said. “We cannot fully eliminate the challenges that come with the choice to serve, but we can work together to lighten the load of those who choose to step up and lighten the load of their families too.”
Related: Hiring Our Heroes, Blue Star Families Invite Employers to Adopt Military Spouse Employment Policies
The governor and first lady experienced these challenges firsthand when Gov. Moore deployed to Afghanistan as a captain with the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division in 2005. His military service is another reason the couple advocates for military families.
“In this administration, we celebrate the ingenuity and courage of our military families,” said First Lady Moore. “We know that our military spouses are mission driven, can adapt to any situation and deliver results — and that’s why our administration is proud to support them through job opportunities that will uplift Maryland families.”
The Maryland State Military Spouse Employer Connection brought together 12 employers with more than 60 military spouses. The event underscored the critical role private and public partnerships play in reducing the 21% military spouse unemployment rate.
“Whether you’re a business, nonprofit, or elected leader, each of us has a profound responsibility to support those who serve our nation – including military spouses and caregivers,” Miller said.
