Women’s History Month Feature: Melissa Boatwright
This leader at LinkedIn is moved by the bravery she sees from the women of Ukraine.
Each March, we celebrate the important role of women veterans throughout American history. Dating to the Revolutionary War, women have had a vital impact within the military-connected community, but often without recognition. Below we've highlighted Melissa Boatwright—her story, values, and ideas to consider when marketing to women veterans.
Melissa Boatwright
Chief of Staff | LinkedIn
What does Women's History Month mean to you?
It's a time for us to learn the stories lost or that went unnoticed throughout history and today.
In the pantheon of women leaders, who stands out to you? Who is a women leader you admire most and why?
Ida B. Wells. Photograph by Mary Garrity from c. 1893 | Public Domain
Ida B Wells. She was a rabble rouser and was once expelled from college for disagreeing with the president of the school. Wells went on to be a teacher, journalist and activist (among many other things) in the late 19th century. She used words to challenge the racist status quo in the U.S. at that time. After a friend of hers was lynched and law enforcement/the legal system refused to hold murderers accountable for lynching, Wells risked her own safety to investigate and report on lynchings throughout the south.
The Women of Ukraine. I have found that over the first two weeks of the invasion on Ukraine, I'm overcome with emotions witnessing the bravery, courage, and resolve of the women in Ukraine. Mothers shepherding their families to safety, grandmothers learning to make Molotov cocktails, younger fighting to protect their country or risking their lives transporting supplies to the places that need it most -- They truly are the definition of the best of us. Ordinary people rising to the terrible challenge of extraordinary circumstance.
How did your service in the U.S. military shape your leadership values?
I spent my military career in Public Affairs, so most of my time in the service was focused on storytelling, humanizing our military community, and communicating to/with the military community. That taught me about the importance of connecting strategy, operations, and the day to day to the people doing the work and those impacted by the work. It informed my leadership value of compassion because in order to best communicate with someone, you need to first understand what's important to them.
What are some ways consumer brands could improve their marketing to women veterans? How would you like to see women veterans portrayed in media?
I think I would just like to see more diversity of storylines related to all veterans. There are 20 million veterans in the U.S. that means there are 20 million different veteran stories. Yet, we often see the same two or three veteran tropes portrayed in stories about people with military backgrounds.
