With support from the McCormick Foundation, Business and Professional Women’s (BPW) Foundation will host "Join Forces for Women Veterans," a national Summit to raise awareness, create an action plan and launch a fund to help support solutions for women veterans who are challenged in their transition to civilian career, family and community lives.

“Just as women serving in the military have faced unique challenges, the same is true for returning women veterans,” said David D. Hiller, president and CEO of the McCormick Foundation.“We are proud to join the Business and Professional Women's Foundation in this effort, giving back to women veterans who have given so much for all of us.”

“BPW Foundation’s premise, as supported by our research, is that women veterans are unique and should be considered separately,” says Roslyn Ridgeway, chair of the BPW Foundation Board of Trustees. “The impact of military service on these women as workers, spouses and family caretakers cannot and should not be underestimated.”

The Summit will be held in fall 2010 in Washington, DC and is scheduled as a full-day meeting with approximately 40 to 50 participants, including women veterans, government, community and corporate representatives. The topic areas are employment and careers, family and community re-integration, and homelessness. Public policy will be integrated throughout the program. As a result of the Summit, an ongoing fund will be established to support programs and services for women veterans.

BPW Foundation is seeking public and private partners to supplement the McCormick Foundation investment and help launch this initiative. To get involved, contact BPW Foundation at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .