FEW Web Team

Federal Spotlight: Michelle A. Crockett

Posted on by FEW Web Team

Posted by Management Concepts on May 4, 2016

Blog-Image_Michelle-Crockett_300x200-300x200This Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW), we are especially proud to highlight out latest Federal Spotlight.

Michelle A. Crockett, serves as the Acting Director of the Civil Rights Office at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Here’s our Federal Spotlight with Michelle Crockett:

Moderator: How long have you been in Federal Service and what is your main responsibility in your role today?

MC: As Acting Director, Civil Rights Office, at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), I serve as the principal advisor on all matters of Civil Rights and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO). I am responsible for developing, directing, and coordinating organizational programs, policies, and activities to ensure the accomplishment of EEO and civil rights responsibilities, and evaluating the implementation of these actions. Most importantly, I am responsible for administering efforts to support and explore activities that promote, recognize, and value diversity in the workforce.

My life has been shaped from experiences I had growing up in the small southern town of LaGrange, GA. My parents instilled in me the importance of a strong work ethic and education, cultivated in a faith-centered home. My parents experienced discrimination and they were always aware of its existence, but they would never allow me to use it as an excuse for not working hard to achieve success. My father’s favorite quote was, “hard work is its own reward” and I have to agree that these words have served as the catalysis for my success. I received my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Georgia Southwestern University and my Certification in Equal Employment Opportunities Studies from the School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Cornell University.

I began my Federal career within the Department of Defense, Defense Commissary Agency as an Accounting Specialist, but my true passion for equal rights and opportunities lead me to my position here at NOAA. It may sound like a cliché, but I truly love my job. No two days are the same and every day I have the ability to foster and generate a greater awareness for organizational diversity. People are diverse in many ways. We all have a number of differences that offer substantial opportunities and possibilities to make organizations successful and our world a better place. When we accept our differences and learn to work with them, we enrich our lives and improve the creativity and productivity of the organization. Hence, when we are able to fully embrace and implement an effective diversity strategy whereby everyone feels validated, the need for enforcement policies are diminished.

Moderator: What is one of your biggest achievements?

MC: Beyond fostering diversity, my job also allows me to support employee affinity groups and non-profit professional organizations that seek to eliminate barriers for members of underrepresented groups in the Federal workplace. One such group is Federally Employed Women (FEW). FEW is a 46 year old grassroots organization with a mission to end sex and gender discrimination, to encourage diversity for inclusion and equity in the workplace, and to advance the professional growth of women in Federal service.

In 2012, I was elected as FEW’s 22nd National President and I was re-elected on May 2014 to serve a second term.

Moderator: What keeps you motivated and passionate to stay in the public sector?

MC: My work for FEW fuels my passion to advocate for women’s rights to ensure we have equal access to training and career opportunities, awards and promotions, and enhance the percentage of women in senior level positions.

Training is one of the cornerstones of our organization and we will be hosting our 47th National Training Program (NTP) on July 11-14, 2016 in Dallas, Texas at the Hilton Anatole. The NTP provides a premier training experience for all governmental affiliations. The workshops and presenters provide essential skills to build successful careers and opportunities for advancement. The 47th annual NTP will be jam-packed with information focused on educating, networking, and inspiring day-to-day career advantages and new abilities.

Moderator: What advice would you share with young people on entering government?

MC: The advice that I would offer young people entering government is to not limit yourself; fully explore and take advantage of the endless opportunities. Hard work is its own reward and the benefits derived from serving your country are priceless.

Harriet Tubman to Appear on the $20.00 Bill

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4harr12bAs I hope most of you heard last week, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that it will be replacing the image of President Andrew Jackson on the $20.00 bill with an image of Harriet Tubman. Tubman is an important figure in United States history for her work supporting the Underground Railroad, which helped slaves escape from captivity. Ms. Tubman was also very active during the Civil War as both a nurse and intelligence gatherer for the Union cause.

As an organization founded to support the cause of women’s equality and embracing diversity, the selection of Harriett Tubman as the face of the $20.00 bill should be celebrated by Federally Employed Women (FEW) and all of us for many reasons. Although this will be the first bank note a woman will appear on within our current circulated currency, this is not the first time a female has appeared on a U.S. dollar bill.

According to Harcourt Fuller, a Professor of History at Georgia State University, Pocahontas, Lucy Pickens, and Martha Washington have historically graced U.S. paper currency, with First Lady Washington last appearing in 1896. Although Harriett Tubman is not the first female to receive this distinction, she will be the first female on U.S. currency in over 100 years.

Over the last two months there have been several critical announcements made by the Obama Administration that support women’s rights and equality. On April 12th, Women’s Equal Pay Day, President Obama designated the newest national monument the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument in Washington D.C. President Obama has been vocal about ending the pay gap to support Women’s rights, and his decision to place a prominent female on U.S. currency is cause for celebration as both a symbolic and physical representation of those efforts.

The selection of Harriett Tubman for the $20 bill is also important as a declaration for diversity within our country. Choosing a woman who represents the history and challenges our country has overcome is more than just symbolic gesture. This demonstrates that the United States values all of its patriotic citizens, regardless of gender or race.

The final thing I want each of us to celebrate about this important announcement is the fact that it was submitted to President Obama by a child named Sofia. Young girls, like Sofia, are the future of our country and our organization. It renews my spirit to see young females so passionate about equal rights and representation. I hope each of you embraces Sofia’s conviction as you work with FEW to advocate for women’s equality.

In the Spirit of Excellence,

Michelle A. Crockett
National President
Federally Employed Women

FEW Celebrates Public Service Recognition Week

Posted on by FEW Web Team

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Serving your country, whether through military service or public service, is a noble and honorable profession. Many of Federally Employed Women’s (FEW) members have dedicated their lives and careers to giving back to our great nation. As an organization committed to driving change for federal employees and women, it is also important that we take time to celebrate the contributions of our membership.

FEW members sacrifice their personal and professional lives to public service. They work in challenging offices with critical missions, and with very little thanks or appreciation for all that they do. Whether they are employee relations advocates, nurses, auditors, or analysts, every FEW member works tirelessly to serve their teams, organizations, missions, and the general public.

In honor of Public Service Recognition Week, I want to recognize and thank each of you for your hard work and dedication. Your sacrifices and accomplishments do not go unnoticed. FEW would like to commend each and every member for their contributions and for their engagement with FEW. Being a member indicates that you have not only dedicated your career to federal service, but are also contributing your personal time to make our federal system better.

I am proud of our organization and of our members. Thank you for all you do each and every day!

In the Spirit of Excellence,

Michelle A. Crockett
FEW National President

U.S. military opens all combat roles to women

Posted on by FEW Web Team
  • By Phil Stewart and David Alexander
  • Edited by Tom Brown and Peter Cooney
  • December 4, 2015

The U.S. military will let women serve in all combat roles, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Thursday in a historic move striking down gender barriers in the armed forces.

“As long as they qualify and meet the standards, women will now be able to contribute to our mission in ways they could not before,” Carter told a Pentagon news conference.

“They’ll be allowed to drive tanks, fire mortars, and lead infantry soldiers into combat. They’ll be able to serve as Army Rangers and Green Berets, Navy SEALS, Marine Corps infantry, Air Force parajumpers and everything else that was previously open only to men,” he said.

President Barack Obama called the move a “historic step forward,” saying it would “make our military even stronger.”

“Our armed forces will draw on an even wider pool of talent. Women who can meet the high standards required will have new opportunities to serve,” Obama said in a statement

Carter said the opening to women would take place following a 30-day review period, after which they would be integrated into the new roles in a “deliberate and methodical manner” as positions come open. The waiting period enables Congress to review the decision and raise any objections.

He acknowledged the decision could lead to more debate over whether women would have to register for the draft, an issue he said was already under litigation. The U.S. military is currently an all-volunteer force, but young men are still required to register in case the draft is reactivated.

Asked whether the decision opened the door to women being required to serve in front-line combat positions, Carter said members of the military had some choices but not “absolute choice.”

“People are assigned to missions, tasks and functions according to need as well as their capabilities,” he said. “And women will be subject to the same standard and rules that men will.”

MARINES HAD SOUGHT EXCEPTIONS

The decision drew a rebuke from the Republican chairmen of the armed services committees in the Senate and House of Representatives. But some other lawmakers welcomed the move.

“Secretary Carter’s decision to open all combat positions to women will have a consequential impact on our service members and our military’s warfighting capabilities,” Senator John McCain and Representative Mac Thornberry said in a statement.

They asked the Pentagon for details on a Marine Corps request for exceptions, which was overridden by Carter, and information on how draft registration might be affected.

Two Democratic members of the armed services panels welcomed Carter’s decision. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said it would “strengthen our armed forces” and Representative Niki Tsongas called it a “long overdue” move that would eliminate some of the barriers to advancement that women face in the military.

Carter’s decision comes nearly three years after the Pentagon first instructed the military to open all positions to qualified women, including front-line combat roles. A restriction on such roles was seen as increasingly out of place during a decade of war in Iraq and Afghanistan in which women were often in harm’s way.

Women represented about 2 percent of U.S. casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan, with some 300,000 deploying to the conflict zones.

Since the Pentagon directive in 2013, the services have been examining whether women should be excluded from any military positions. Three women recently passed the rigorous Army Ranger course, but some 220,000 military jobs are still closed to women.

Carter said most of the services favored opening all jobs to women, but the Marine Corps had sought a partial exception for roles such as infantry, machine gunner, fire support reconnaissance and others. He said he considered the Marines’ request and believed its concerns could be addressed.

General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and former Marine commandant, said he had given Carter his best advice on the issue and would now fully integrate women “in a manner that maintains our joint warfighting capability.”

Women already serve in combat roles for the armed forces of a few developed nations, including Canada and Israel, but officials have said demand from women for such jobs in most NATO countries is very low.

Happy Holidays!

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As 2015 draws to a close, we reflect on all our memories from the year. Certainly this has been a challenging year for federal workers, and yet our members have continued to persevere. Neither the government, nor Federally Employed Women (FEW), would be where it is today if not for you. Now is the time for us to pause for a moment and to celebrate all we have accomplished!

And as the New Year approaches we have the opportunity to make new resolutions. What better time is there than now to consider how we will reach success – whether individually in our careers, or as an organization dedicated to the advancement of women in the federal workplace.

Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones. I look forward to continuing our work “In the Spirit of Excellence” and wish you and your family a very healthy, happy, and prosperous 2016!