Testimony: Permanently Reauthorizing the Wartime Veteran's Survivor Grant program

Women’s Foundation President & CEO Wendy Doyle delivered the following testimony in support of Senate Bill 283, which would permanently reauthorize Missouri’s Wartime Veteran’s Survivor Grant program.

The Foundation promotes equity and opportunity for women of all ages, using research, philanthropy and policy solutions to make meaningful change. 

I am here to testify in support of Senate Bill 283 because of two previous research studies the Women’s Foundation commissioned. The first study, called Project Diane, focused on the integration of women and women into leadership positions in the U.S. Army Special Forces. The second study, titled Status of Women in Missouri, focused on economic development indicators and developing a baseline to monitor Missouri’s progress. Both studies highlighted opportunities, and in some cases, lack of opportunities, women have in education and work.

When our servicemen and women put their lives on the line overseas, we cannot forget the sacrifices their families are making here at home.

The Wartime Veteran's Survivor Grant program has greatly benefited Missouri’s military families – women and men – by giving the children and spouses of veterans killed or injured in the line of duty with the opportunity to get a higher education without the stress of paying tuition or going into debt.

These grants provide the children and spouses of Missouri war veterans the opportunity to pursue a degree that can result in a higher paying job and a better quality of life.

The families of those who have put their lives on the line to defend our country deserve more than our thanks – they deserve our wholehearted support. By removing the sunset to this valuable program, SB 283 honors their sacrifices and reflects Missouri’s ongoing commitment to our military families, higher education and workforce development opportunities.