Welcome to the Evolving Folks Project’s “Evolved Woman of the Week” profile. Each week, we will highlight an individual who embodies what it means to be an evolved person, famous and non-famous alike. The world needs to know their stories and deeds. Today’s honor goes to the Gulf War veteran and doctoral student at Georgia State University, BriGette McCoy.
Having served in the Army from 1987 to 1991, BriGette McCoy is a military veteran. McCoy was a telecommunications specialist while serving in Germany. She enlisted in the Army, citing wanderlust, career development, and college tuition as her motivations. Like many people who join the Armed Forces, McCoy appeared to be pursuing her dream. The Army discharged McCoy shortly after her deployment ended. She experienced a short period of homelessness because the Army didn’t provide the promised benefits after she came back from the war. McCoy has since focused her efforts on supporting women veterans in need.
In 2009, McCoy founded the Women Veteran Social Justice Network Inc., a national, award-winning, all-volunteer organization that supports military servicewomen and promotes leadership across various fields. McCoy is a convener, philanthropist, serial entrepreneur, and creative content author who focuses on social justice, instructional technology, and intersectionality.
McCoy provides accredited training and equity workshops that benefit nonprofits, companies, and professionals. She regularly engages with key decision-makers, including high-ranking military officials, top federal legislators, and veterans.
McCoy produced two educational podcasts, Go Live Life WELL and WVSJ Connects, for three seasons through Heroes Media Group. She is currently the Board Chair of Protect Our Defenders, a national partner of Federally Employed Women, and an advisor to the Warrior Songs Board. She holds appointments with both the city and the county governments in Georgia.
In 2020, McCoy received the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation’s Citizens’ Honors Medal, recognizing her significant contributions to society. She is an outstanding advocate for women veterans. She has dedicated her life to addressing the discrepancies in resources allocated to fellow women veterans.
We at the Evolving Folks Project have had the opportunity to work with McCoy in various capacities over the years. We wish her continued success in her studies and advocacy work. For far too long, our nation has failed many of our veterans, including BIPOC and women veterans. Advocates like McCoy have committed their lives to changing this situation. Today, we honor BriGette McCoy as our Evolved Woman of the Week.
Evolving Folks Project 