Why I take part in the NMSN National Day of Advocacy
by Rachel Bell
The reason I joined other spouses from around the world for the NMSN National Day of Advocacy is simple. I care about military spouse employment, and I want to help make a difference. NMSN is laser focused on this issue, as they have been for more than a decade of demonstrated success. I'm grateful to be part of an effort that galvanizes support for military spouses in this very tangible way.
I've been fortunate to work for myself for 16 years. I have years of global PR agency experience inside the beltway and a masters degree, and I've been told that I should apply for an internship and maybe have a chance to earn a fraction of what I'm worth. That I should be grateful to have such an opportunity to be vastly undervalued and underemployed. That I shouldn't mention my military connection because most employers won't want to hire me. That military spouse employment isn't even a problem anyway, despite scores of evidence to the contrary.
I've been told a lot of things. Here's what I believe. Every military spouse should have an opportunity to earn their full potential. Military spouses should think beyond entry-level when they're already overqualified. And every military family should be able to strengthen their financial stability with a dual income.
If you believe these things too, then the NMSN National Day of Advocacy is for you.
The NMSN National Day of Advocacy takes these issues to Washington with personal stories and actionable recommendations. I know how disheartening it is to be at a table where military-related legislative priorities are being set and nobody wants to include military spouse employment among the top 10. I appreciate that NMSN has made military spouse employment their central priority.
When I joined my first NMSN National Day of Advocacy last year, I contacted all my federal representatives. I briefed all their offices. Then I briefed more than a dozen others across my state and others. As a communications consultant, I may be more comfortable than most at crafting a targeted pitch and sharing a good story. I still found it daunting. I'm not a government relations expert or policy specialist. You don't have to be, and you can do this too.
NMSN gave me the encouragement, training, and tools I needed. Every staffer I briefed was receptive and wanted to see NMSN's recommendations. As a result of my efforts, one legislator worked with bipartisan colleagues to help ensure for the first time the NDAA requires a study on military spouse employment. Four of my congressional representatives cosponsored a bill for the first time that would expand a tax incentive for employers to hire military spouses. What's more, I got to see that military spouse employment really can and should be a legislative priority after all. That's been the best feeling, ever.
The NMSN National Day of Advocacy is your chance to help eradicate military spouse unemployment. Please apply to join us now.
Rachel Bellis the founder of The RVB Group, a public relations and communications partner for organizations that value exceptional content. Rachel worked at a major advertising agency in Chicago (DDB) and two global public relations agencies in Washington, D.C. (Burson-Marsteller and Ogilvy) before she married her husband, whose military service brought them to San Antonio, Texas. She earned a master's degree in English and has become a trusted independent communications counselor and content specialist.
In more than 16 years of self-employment, Rachel's client experience includes the Department of Defense (Installation Management Command and Warrior Games), Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, CVS Health, USAA, H-E-B Grocery Company, Hyatt, University Health, Humana, KSAT-TV, Texas A&M University San Antonio, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, Prometheus Real Estate Group, and numerous public relations agencies. Her capabilities include strategic planning and messaging, public relations, writing, editing, and creative management.
Rachel has served as an executive board member of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and member of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and Military Affairs Council. She organized discussions for San Antonio Entrepreneurship Week and San Antonio Startup Week. She's a member of the National Military Spouse Network and helps to lead its National Day of Advocacy. As a proud graduate of a women's college, Rachel has counseled other startups through the Women's Business Center in San Antonio and the Women's Entrepreneurship Initiative at her alma mater, Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame. Find more of her experience and capabilities at TheRVBGroup.com.