Virginia Military Institute can and should be improved

[Jennifer Carroll Foy for Governor]( {NAME}, brave former VMI cadets recently came forward with their experiences of racism from their time at the Institute. As a VMI graduate, I just published an op-ed in the Washington Post to outline how we move forward. [If you’re with me in the fight to finally live up to our ideals, I need you to chip in and invest in my campaign so we can take this fight all the way to the Governorship. →]( [Chip in →]( [The Washington Post Virginia Military Institute can and should be improved By Jennifer Carroll Foy]( I was admitted to Virginia Military Institute more than 20 years ago. I was in the third class of women admitted. I wasn’t deterred by the idea that I’d undoubtedly be a “first” if I were accepted because, to me, it was simple: In Virginia, there’s no better place to prepare oneself for a life of service than VMI. I’ll never forget that first year — my rat year — on post. I marched, sweated and bled right along with the male cadets. I lived in barracks with no locked doors. I shaved my head bald just as the men did. There were short nights and long days. And I quickly learned what it meant to sacrifice for the sake of others. I learned how to work alongside those who don’t share my point of view. I even learned to work alongside some who actively tried to get me to fail. VMI is world-renowned for its adversative method intended to push cadets to their limit through exhaustion, deprivation and military training. When I graduated, I felt more prepared than ever to do anything. I chose to serve the commonwealth of Virginia as a public defender and a delegate. I am proud to be a VMI alumna. We alumni often say that VMI is a difficult place to be but a great place to be from. VMI positioned me to stand up and fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. It taught me how to navigate difficult situations, to be decisive and to be a leader who isn’t afraid to do what’s right, even when it’s hard. My time at VMI led me to be an effective legislator, passing bills in the General Assembly in a bipartisan manner, which led to more support for veterans who want to open small businesses and the expansion of rural broadband. Though my time at VMI was challenging, I wouldn’t trade it, or the lessons I learned there, for anything. It made me the leader I am today. But that doesn’t dismiss the accusations of racism at VMI. These recent accusations are alarming and antithetical to the values the school aims to teach. Racism, sexism, xenophobia and homophobia must not be tolerated at any institute of higher learning in Virginia. We must root it out in every corner of the commonwealth and in every community where it exists if we want to create a Virginia that celebrates all people. While VMI has a history rooted in the Confederacy, it must have a future that is committed to equity and inclusion. VMI must be a place that teaches its graduates to be well-rounded, holistic leaders who will treat everyone with respect and dignity. We must teach cadets the skills to lead battalions, boardrooms and other entities that are diverse. I applaud Gov. Ralph Northam’s (D) appointment of a racially diverse Board of Visitors and his leadership in launching the independent investigation into the climate and culture at the institute. And I’m pleased retired Army Maj. Gen. Cedric T. Wins has been named interim superintendent during this period in the Institute’s history. We are having global conversations about race and equity, and those conversations must be had at VMI. But this isn’t just a moment for VMI to rise up to the challenge. It’s a moment for all our public institutions to do better. VMI is off to a good start after adopting several of the recommendations I laid out: hire a chief diversity, inclusion and equity officer; implement meaningful diversity training; and recruit a more diverse cadet class and administration. VMI produces citizen-soldiers with the highest standards of honor, integrity and discipline. We must improve VMI to be a beacon of a welcoming and inclusive military institute. It is time to change the status quo. [Donate →]( -- Jennifer Carroll Foy [Jennifer Carroll Foy For Governor]( Jennifer Carroll Foy was born and raised in Petersburg and was one of the first Black women to graduate from the Virginia Military Institute. Jennifer then served as a public defender and foster mom. In 2017, she flipped a Republican district as a first-time candidate pregnant with twins. During her two terms as Delegate, Jennifer championed the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, helped expand Medicaid to 400,000 Virginians, and advocated for the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable communities. Jennifer is committed to creating a Virginia that works for everyone. Help her make Virginia’s future better than its past. [Donate →](   Paid for by Jennifer Carroll Foy for Governor Jennifer Carroll Foy for Governor PO Box 2306 Arlington, VA 22202 United States Sent via [ActionNetwork.org](. To update your email address, change your name or address, or to stop receiving emails from Jennifer Carroll Foy for Governor, please [click here](.