Women In Defense Tennessee Valley Chapter (WID-TVC) provides women opportunities to become engaged in a diverse national security community and gain the knowledge, leadership skills, and strategic connections through education, mentorship, and networking.
We are an influential organization of women forging relationships and impacting the defense community.
The Tennessee Valley Chapter of Women in Defense exists to provide women a supportive environment for professional growth and career development in the defense community.
Women In Defense (WID), a National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) Affiliate, engages, cultivates and advances women in all aspects of national security. Incorporated in 1985, Women In Defense provides members a business environment for professional growth through strategic networking, education, and career development. This national alliance is comprised of women and men from industry and defense organizations of every size; all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces; Government agencies, academia, think tanks, associations, and professional services.
The Tennessee Valley Chapter (TVC) of WID was established on March 31, 2003. Our purpose is to provide women a supportive environment for professional growth and career development in the defense community. Our vision is to be an influential organization of women forging relationships and impacting the defense community. Our mission is to provide women opportunities to become engaged in a diverse national security community and gain the knowledge, leadership skills and strategic connections through education, mentorship, and networking.
Our chapter goals include:
Building an engaged membership
Hosting events that promote our mission
Developing a vibrant, sustainable chapter
Cultivating an awareness of Women in Defense
Supporting the future of the defense community
Meet Our 2019-2020 Board of Directors!
Allison Rhen
Sandy Edwards
Jessica Washburn
Kris Bell
Elizabeth Griffith
Gayla Suddarth
STEM Director
Melanie Newton
Scholarships Director
Shakeria Hayes
Programs Director
Sherrie Nash
Mentorship Director
External Relations Director
Corby Dellarocco
Women In Defense traces its roots to 1979 when a group of women saw the need for an organization dedicated to networking and professional development within the defense and national security workspace. We welcome all women and men working in defense and national security to join WID. Membership provides access to a broad national network of women and men working in government, the defense industry, and academia. Membership also provides access to 21 chapters, which provide leadership, networking, professional development, and mentoring opportunities throughout the year.
Join WID Today!
A WID individual membership includes a complimentary subscription to National Defense magazine for the length of the membership. Membership is FREE for government employees and active military and $40 per year for industry and academia members.
To view or update your membership information or renew your current membership, click the link below!
The Tennessee Valley Chapter of Women in Defense is continuing our long-standing STEM outreach efforts to work with local schools to provide STEM tools to science teachers for interactive use in their classrooms. We work with the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department of the University of Alabama in Huntsville to have these tools designed and built by Engineering student teams and then donated to the local schools.
The ability of the young students in elementary and middle schools to see scientific and engineering principles demonstrated by tools they can directly interact with has proven to increase student interest in pursuing higher education and careers in the technical disciplines. We are funded annually by the Space and Missile Defense Working Group of the Tennessee Valley Chapter of the National Defense Industrial Association.
Questions? Contact STEM Director Gayla Suddarth today.
WID-TVC now accepting Scholarship Applications for 2021-2022!
WID-TVC actively shapes the future defense and national security workforce through scholarships and awards. Our leaders and members encourage the study of professions related to science, technology, education, and math that support national security professionals.
We are now accepting applications for 2021-2022 academic school year through October 1, 2020!
The focus of the Women In Defense Tennessee Valley Chapter scholarship is on the following preferred fields of study:
Security studies, military history, government relations, engineering, computer science, cyber security, physics, mathematics, business (as it relates to national security or defense), international relations, political science, and economics.
Others will be considered if the applicant can successfully demonstrate relevance to a career in the areas of national security or defense.
Be currently enrolled at an accredited university or college, either full-time or part-time*
Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible; undergraduates must have attained at least junior level status (60 credits).
Demonstrate interest in pursuing a career related to national security or defense
Have a minimum grade point average of 3.25
Be a woman
Be a citizen of the United States
*The exception is for women of veteran status entering college as a freshman.
Applicants should send completed form and all supporting documentation to WIDTVC.ScholarshipDirector@gmail.com. Official transcripts can be emailed to WIDTVC.ScholarshipDirector@gmail.com or mailed via USPS to 408 East Street Athens, AL 35611.
Donate to the WID-TVC Scholarship Fund Today!
Apply for the WID-TVC Professional Development Grant
Through the WID-TVC Professional Development Grant program, members can receive financial assistance to attend local defense, leadership, and STEM events.