President’s Message
This is FEW:
Women Who Advocate For Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion!
“We are such stuff as dreams are made on.” (William Shakespeare)
“We are the champions, my friends…” (Queen)
If you are familiar with the 2024 theme for National Women’s History Month, “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion”, you’ll understand why FEW and its efforts belong at center stage. Since 1968, FEW has been instrumental in moving the needle toward equity for women and marginalized groups in federal work. Our tagline, “working for the advancement of women in the government” only scratches the surface of our deep commitment to grassroots efforts and creating change in the federal workspace.
Happy Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day (March 8). “Collectively, we can all #investinwomen and accelerate progress.” Below is a summary recap of the dedicated work we do every day in advocating for equity, diversity, and inclusion. Thanks to each of you for making this possible.
I want to extend an extra special welcome to our two new National Officers: Shannon Carroll, Vice President for Compliance and Special Assistant to the President for Federal Women’s Program and Lauren Golubski, Vice President for Diversity and Special Assistant to the President for People with Disabilities.
Our Four Focus areas:
Diversity
Federally Employed Women (FEW) recognizes that Diversity transcends race and gender, affirmative action, and equal employment opportunity. This means respecting and valuing differences, whether based on age, class, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, race, religion, language, or other differences.
No organization rivals FEW’s special diversity observances each month. We provide stellar guest speakers, thought-provoking interviews, and awareness initiatives to spark real change. Visit our webinar page to access recordings of previously scheduled sessions.
Legislative
FEW supports federal pay increases for civilian workers as well as military personnel. We have been champions of Equal Pay since our inception. FEW supports H.R. 17, and S. 728, The Paycheck Fairness Act, which updates and strengthens existing laws and prohibits retaliation against workers who voluntarily discuss or disclose their wages and support data collection and research.
FEW also supports the final passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. While women have made great strides, there is still a long way to go. Among the real problems still facing women: the glass ceiling, wage gap, occupation gap and sexual harass-ment. Further, nine out of ten Americans support equal rights for women and men. This Amendment simply establishes a legal requirement that women be treated the same as men. There is no legitimate argument against this provision. Women deserve to be treated fairly and equally in the workplace, as well as in all other parts of our economy and society.
Now is the time to show the voting public that we are completely equal!
Compliance
Federally Employed Women’s (FEW) Compliance Program monitors the progress made by the federal government in achieving equal employment opportunity evidenced by its adherence with statutory civil rights protections including: the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Civil Rights Act of 1991, and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA).
Many chapters have engaged with their agency leadership by accessing its MD-715 and providing strategies or ideas for improvement. This is an area where FEW can shine brighter and brighter through increased collaboration with your EEO offices and Federal Women’s Program Managers.
Training
FEW offers ongoing monthly training in addition to annual training at the regional and national levels. Regional Training Programs (RTP) are constantly evolving to better meet the needs of the local communities in which we reside. Training on all tiers of the FEW organization is geared to meet individual’s career goals and provide advantages to meet industry trends.
As a reminder, the 2024 National Training Program (NTP) is scheduled for August 4-8 in the Windy City of Chicago, Illinois. Our host hotel, the Hilton Chicago has rolled out the red carpet and Mayor Johnson sends FEW warm greetings. If you thought Columbus was an affair to remember, Chicago will take our breath away. Get ready to bring back the Roaring Twenties, lively networking, and effective training.
FEW’s training programs have three primary functions:
- To increase participant knowledge of the Federal system, rules, and regulations
- To help participants acquire knowledge for career development and planning techniques
- To enhance participants’ effectiveness and awareness of the broader issues that impact women.
Yours in Service,
Pamela H. Richards
National President
Federally Employed Women