Honoring Women In The Military
MCLEAN -- Science Applications International Corporation has announced that it is continuing its support of the Women In Military Service For America Memorial to honor the 2.5 million women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, including support of efforts on behalf of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education.
SAIC made a $25,000 contribution to the Women's Memorial Foundation, which built and maintains the memorial, and an additional $10,000 donation to support the memorial foundation's newly formed advisory committee on STEM, which works to encourage women to serve in STEM-related fields in the military. These contributions build on the company's $35,000 donation last year to the memorial. "This donation supporting the Memorial's STEM efforts builds on SAIC's enterprise wide initiative to help inspire, engage and educate students in K-12 STEM education," said Amy Alving, SAIC chief technology officer. "We hope this initiative will engage and motivate students to pursue careers in STEM, while helping address the projected science and technology workforce shortfall." Located at the ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery, the memorial was dedicated in 1997 and is endorsed by the U.S. Departments of Defense, Transportation, Veterans Affairs, and Interior. Some 200,000 people visit the memorial annually, learning about the accomplishments of women who have served in nearly every capacity, from commanding warships to flying fighter jets. Guest speakers at the event include former astronaut Susan Still Kilrain, and retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Wilma Vaught, one of the nation's early women general officers and the president of the Women's Memorial Foundation. SAIC Chief Executive Officer Walt Havenstein, SAIC Board members Edward J. Sanderson, Jr., John Jumper, Dr. Miriam John, Dr. Anita Jones, and other SAIC executives will also attend. "SAIC is proud to support the Women's Memorial and to have this opportunity to recognize the talent, sacrifice, and dedication of those who have served and continue to serve their country," said Deborah James, SAIC executive vice president for Communications and Government Affairs. The heart of the Women's Memorial is the Register, a computerized, interactive database of servicewomen, past and present. Visitors can access the photographs, military histories, and individual stories of some 250,000 military women by simply typing names into a computer terminal. Women veterans, living and deceased, and serving Active Duty, Guard and Reserve women are eligible for Women's Memorial membership and inclusion in the database. About SAIC SAIC is a FORTUNE 500® scientific, engineering, and technology applications company that uses its deep domain knowledge to solve problems of vital importance to the nation and the world, in national security, energy and the environment, critical infrastructure, and health. The company's approximately 45,000 employees serve customers in the U.S. Department of Defense, the intelligence community, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, other U.S. Government civil agencies and selected commercial markets. Headquartered in McLean, Va., SAIC had annual revenues of $10.8 billion for its fiscal year ended January 31, 2010.
