How Two Neighbors Built an Impactful Partnership

In the last year, people worldwide utilized social media to connect during a time of uncertainty and social isolation. Washington, D.C. Platoon Leader and Army Veteran, David DuBois, knew that staying at home would not stop him from continuing his mission to engage veterans and the greater DC community in service. David saw a need and took action using social media to live broadcast Platoon updates, teach how-to tutorials for at-home service projects, and connect veterans and local partners to service opportunities in the community. 

David’s activities caught the attention of his neighbor and R. Riveter Customer Experience Operations Manager, Stacy Selken. She was interested in learning more about The Mission Continues and the Platoon’s work. 

Through the D.C. Platoon’s work with Excel Academy Public School, the only all-girls public school in the Anacostia neighborhood of Washington D.C. and The Mission Continues’ Women Veterans Leadership Program, Stacy saw an opportunity for partnership. According to Lisa Bradley, Co-Founder of R. Riveter, “Supporting and working with organizations like The Mission Continues runs in sync with who we are and our greater mission that was born out of wanting to champion the people who know the military lifestyle and the challenges that come with it. Our military roots have pushed us to ask the question, ‘how can we keep serving our country?’ We’ve found the answer in supporting these incredible organizations”. 

Named after WWII icon, Rosie the Riveter, R. Riveter perfectly encapsulates Rosie’s “we can do it” attitude and empowerment of women in the workplace. What began in an attic in Georgia, after two military spouses struggled to find work after yet another move, has evolved into flexible work opportunities for women across the country. Handbags became their way of accomplishing that. However, R. Riveter is much more than a handbag company; they are a community of strong, go-getting women who rally behind one another to accomplish their goals. Today of R. Riveter’s 56 employees, 48 identify as women, all positions of leadership are held by women and 39 of 42 active Riveters are military spouses. 

Because of David and Stacy’s connection, R. Riveter launched a campaign to support The Mission Continues, donating proceeds from their sales through a period of time in 2020. We are so grateful to have the support of organizations like R. Riveter, enabling us to support our platoons’ work on the ground and provide opportunities for women veteran leaders through our programs. 

Learn more about R.Riveter. 

Applications for the next cohort of the Women Veterans Leadership Program (WVLP) are open April 28th.