A closer look at our National President, Pamela H. Richards

How does motherhood prepare a young recruit for service to the United States Government? How does serving in the military prepare a soldier for federal civilian service? As I sat down with FEW National President, Pamela H. Richards, several things became clear. Richards is a protector, a servant-leader, a loyal worker, and an inspiring role model. The knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) Richards acquired from her experiences as a mother and a soldier set the stage for her to shine as a domestic leader. Lean in, as we take a closer look at our National President.

Defying the odds and accepting the call of service

In her youth, Richards always dreamed of being a police officer and serving in the military. All of her uncles served in the military, and she wanted to follow in their footsteps. Enlisting in the United States Army offered her a “two-for-one” deal, when she became a military police officer.

As a young single mother in Roxboro, North Carolina, Richards knew the military would provide a secure and abundant life for her and her son, who was three years old when she entered boot camp. She was familiar with Census Bureau statistics painting a grim outlook for single-parent households, many of which lived in poverty. She was also determined to challenge and disprove the myth that African American boys raised by single mothers inevitably become juvenile delinquents by the age of 16.

While her vision and path were clear, Richards cites leaving her son to enter basic training as one of the hardest decisions she has ever made. She resolved to trust her “village” in taking care of Jonathan, whom she did not see for 13 weeks while she completed basic training. Torn between competing desires of wanting to be present in her son’s life yet wanting to give him better opportunities, she moved forward, first to Alabama and then to Texas. After completing basic training, reuniting with her son, and permanently relocating to San Antonio, Richards paved the way for her son to travel the world and have thrilling experiences to share in school. The proud mom shares, “Jonathan has more stamps in his passport than I do.” Jonathan is now the innovative owner of a successful film production company.

KSAs acquired: grit, determination, resilience, servant leadership, the art of sacrifice, boldness, making difficult judgment calls, and an ability to defy the odds.

Building strong networks

As a young soldier, Richards spent time in Europe, where she was forced to build a new circle of emotional and spiritual support. Her fondest memories include the network of strong women who served as role models. These warrior women encouraged Richards to persevere in college classes while in the military, never giving up on herself or her dreams, and always remembering her son as the reason why she needed to excel. Richards resolved to give her son a life beyond his “wildest dreams” and a standard of living to surpass. Though she was deployed for a year without him, she made wonderful friends and connections.

These networks also helped to weather the biggest challenge Richards faced in the military: repeatedly having to prove herself and her worth. She was one of only a few women in her platoon, which was consistent with the number of women throughout the Army at that time. In the male-dominated scene, Richards found solace and inspiration in these rare female friendships. Her positive attitude and willingness to take on duties that others were less willing to do led to opportunities to protect her platoon from physical danger. How interesting the Army selected a mother, whose primal response to threats was protecting those in her circle of care. Richards proved she was a loyal soldier entrusted to protect her platoon. 

KSAs acquired: networking, empathy, loyalty, teambuilding, perseverance, positive attitude, trust, physical security, and leading with love

From Secretary to Manager in Civilian Federal Work

President Richards and FEW Vice President for Policy and Planning, Carla Hamilton, are alike in their ability to skip several General Schedule (GS) levels in their federal careers. Richards masterfully rose from a GS 5 to a GS 9 level as she transitioned from an entry-level secretary position to accepting the role of an Inspector General. She credits this climb to the criminal justice classes she took prior to applying for the job.

How did Richards move into management with “no prior experience”? As she continued to climb the ranks of civilian service, Richards discovered Federally Employed Women (FEW). She joined FEW and quickly became involved in leadership with the Federal Triangle Chapter in Washington, D.C. After fulfilling the role of Chapter President and grooming her successor, Richards ascended to lead as Regional Manager for FEW’s DC Metro Region. During her government management interview, Richards shared her experiences of leading 26 chapters in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico with over 900 members and a fiscally sound budget. Richards remembers the strong female networks she experienced in the military and continues to pay it forward through her leadership with FEW. As a Supervisory Investigative Research Analyst, she empowers and coaches her employees, encouraging them as she has been encouraged along the way. 

KSAs acquired: kindness, generosity, humility, recruitment, teambuilding, leadership, management, coaching, mentoring, organizational savvy

Madame President, thank you for your service!

~ Communications Chair, Ivana Miranda

Carla Hamilton believes in Federally Employed Women (FEW).

In fact, she uses the association every day to build her career and do her part to diversify the upper ranks in government.

Thanks to her contributions, Hamilton recently won FEW’s prestigious Allie Latimer Award. This overall achievement award recognizes an extraordinary grassroots effort working to achieve FEW’s mission. Latimer was the first woman and the first African American to serve as general counsel of a major U.S. federal agency. To bring federal government into compliance with the Civil Rights Act, she founded FEW.

Since joining FEW and leveraging its training, mentoring and networking opportunities, Hamilton has been promoted through three transitions at the federal level, going from a GS-4 to the equivalent of a GS-14/15. “By participating with FEW,” she says, “you can translate the knowledge, skills and abilities into career assets.”

So, how did FEW help her climb the ladder?

Well, FEW gave her leadership opportunities to grow professionally and personally.

For starters, she served as the Chapter President for the North Alabama Chapter from 2019-2022. At least 25% of her chapter members have received promotions or firm job offers under Hamilton’s leadership excellence.

Hamilton piloted the revitalization of the 50-year-old chapter during a national pandemic by nearly doubling its membership significantly in size and retention rate of 100%. She used grassroots organization skills during one of America’s most challenging times in history to create a chapter brochure, which received approval from FEW’s National Publications Committee and National President, to engage with prospective new members about the benefits of joining FEW. She also and motivated her Chapter to host a virtual membership drive called “How FEW Can Help You Pace Through a Pandemic!”

In 2021, Hamilton added another title to her resume: Assistant Regional Manager for FEW’s Southeast Region. She quickly established a quarterly initiative where regional Chapter Presidents could pair with other Chapter Presidents to support and learn from each other. This effort also enhanced the networking and relationships between the Chapters. Ultimately, this led to more Chapter Presidents attending the Southeast Region activities and more members within the region seeking training and learning opportunities. 

Hamilton said servant leadership, which is a big part of her leadership style, helped her win team members and achieve impressive accomplishments. “Servant leadership is being right there with members, letting them know you have their back,” she says. “I believe in being in the trenches with your members.”

Hamilton’s strategic leadership spearheaded a recruitment competition on the regional level called “The FEW Pursuit!” The goal was to create some fun and friendly recruitment competition during the month of April, which is FEW Membership Month The winning chapter received two free 2021 Southeast RTP registrations.

In her training and mentoring work, Hamilton relies heavily on the Time Management Matrix (Covey, Merrill, and Merrill, 1994), which sorts activities into four quadrants: urgent, not urgent, important and not important. In fact, she prints out the spreadsheet and puts it on her desk so she can prioritize her day and week. “This is probably how I was able to do so much for the last two years,” she says. “Also don’t forget to manage timewasters and set boundaries for digital wellness.”

She believes her biggest accomplishment to date, however, was playing an integral role with launching a very successful inaugural FEW Mentoring Program. The program is a 12-month training opportunity for members who aspire to become effective leaders within FEW and to build their network in the government. Hamilton started as a committee member but stepped up and became the key leader of  FEW’s Mentoring Program when the Special Assistant to the President for Mentoring gave notice due to an unexpected circumstance. Within the final three months, several practice sessions had to occur in preparation for cohort #1’s graduation and final presentations had to be delivered to the FEW National Board of Directors.

Hamilton also believes in the power of mentoring. When she recruits mentors, she asks for 30-60 minutes of their time. Then, she prepares for their sessions  well in advance to send the message that they won’t be wasting their time. “Mentors don’t have a lot of time,” she says. “I let them know that this person is serious.”

Like any serious person looking to move forward, she also has an elevator pitch to encourage other federally employed women to advance their careers.

“If your future is not becoming,” Hamilton says, “you should be coming to FEW!”

What foods help combat type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and heart disease, as well as potentially certain cancers, including breast cancer?

Many of which, according to Northwestern Medicine, rank among the most prevalent health concerns for women.

The answer might surprise you: low-carb snacks.

You love oven-warm bread. So do we. But there’s a reason everyone (and lots of scientific research) says low-carb snacks and diets are so popular.

When followed closely, the best low-carb snacks are all highly effective in reducing the intake of carbs, such as those found in grains, starchy vegetables and fruit.

A high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet with adequate protein is also successful at:

• Suppressing your appetite.
• Reducing blood sugar, insulin and cholesterol levels.
• Lowering blood pressure.

However, no benefit is as prevalent or as sought after as weight loss, the No. 1 reason why millions of Americans give the low-carb concept a futile try.

Why do many fail? Because coming up with tasty low-carb snacks can be incredibly challenging.

But help is on the way. Below are nine of the best low-carb snack ideas that you can happily nosh on between meals with confidence and no guilt.

Apples with Peanut Butter

The how-to here is almost self-explanatory: Slice up an apple, then spread two teaspoons’ worth of peanut butter across them.

The combo is high in protein and fiber plus highly effective at reducing hunger without interrupting a good night’s sleep. The snack tallies just 166 calories and about 22 grams of carbohydrates.

One thing to keep in mind: Buy natural peanut butter. The alternatives are loaded with sugar, artificial sweeteners and oils. None are healthy for you, and all are drastically higher in carbs and calories.

2. Baby Carrots

Some root vegetables are what they called “tubers.” These kinds of root vegetables act as storage sites for a plant’s natural sugar. Potatoes are perhaps the most common type of “tubers.”

Thankfully, carrots are not.

Carrots are the root of carrot plants, so they’re far lower in sugar and carbs than potatoes and other “tuber” vegetables. One medium raw carrot provides 4 grams of net carbs, and a cup provides 9 grams of net carbs.

Carrots are not as low in carbs as leafy green vegetables, but they’re superior to their “tuber” relatives.

Note: We’re talking about carrots alone here, not those doused in a dip, dressing or hummus, which adds calories and carbs. Cold baby carrots can do wonders all by themselves. Give them a try, especially if you get the munchies before bedtime.

3. Air-Popped Popcorn

What is a low-carb snack that will fill you up and has just the right amount of fiber and protein with a slight dusting of carbs?

The answer is popcorn, but not any old popcorn, and not at any amount.

In this instance, the solution is air-popped popcorn, which has just 6 grams of carbs per cup. Like the baby carrots idea above, the idea is to keep the ingredients as natural as possible. That means few boxed or bagged popcorn products, like the classic movie-style popcorn you see on grocery shelves.

With natural, air-popped popcorn, a slight sprinkle of cheese is OK to ensure it remains a low-carb treat. So is adding a small amount of butter or seasoning—light, exceptionally light.

But adding sugar, caramel and chocolate are strict no-nos for high-protein, low-carb snacks. So is adding salt or oil, the latter of which can double the caloric makeup of popcorn.

4. Greek Yogurt

Once a harder-to-find commodity, Greek yogurt has exploded into mainstream popularity and is now available at your everyday corner convenience store, coffeehouse, restaurant—even airports.

That’s good news for low-carb snack enthusiasts.

Every serving of Greek yogurt is packed with protein. It’ll also keep you full longer without spiking your blood sugar like most sweetened yogurts do. Per a BMJ Open journal study of 900 yogurts, natural and Greek yogurts had significantly lower sugar content than yogurts in all the other categories.

Even low-fat or low-calorie yogurts are masquerading as a reliable health food. In these instances, salt or sugar is added to improve the taste. Always make sure to check the label.

Or save yourself the time and stick to proven Greek yogurt instead.

5. Blueberries, Raspberries and Strawberries

When it comes to sweet low-carb snacks, the best fruits tend to be those in the berries category, particularly blueberries, raspberries and strawberries.

A half-cup of raspberries, for instance, reportedly yields three grams of carbs. Blackberries eaten in the same amount have four grams of carbs, and strawberries have six grams in the same serving.

We know: Berries are fruits that taste sweet because they contain a fair amount of natural sugar and carbohydrates. There is a reason they’re called nature’s candy.

But the facts don’t lie: Berries are low-calorie friendly in small servings.

Again, it’s all about moderation.

6. Guacamole and Sliced Veggies

Guacamole gets a green light from low-carb diets because its main ingredient, avocado, is low in carbs and high in an assortment of key nutrients, including potassium, magnesium and monounsaturated fats.

This nutritional lineup makes guacamole an easy low-carb snack to buy when served with two options: low-carb, keto-friendly chips or, even better, raw veggies, which are easier to find and never lack taste.

The most common veggies to eat with low-carb guacamole include sliced bell peppers, celery sticks, broccoli, cucumbers and cauliflower.

7. Seed Mix

Do you like trail mix? Many do. It’s easy to see why: It’s filling, flavorful and easy to make and carry around.

But trail mix is not always a healthy option, not when you sprinkle in candy, salt, chocolate and certain cereals—a trio that adds unneeded calories, sodium and sugar content, which causes weight gain and contributes to other health issues.

A better alternative? Seed mix.

Per Business Insider, 30 grams of pumpkin, sunflower and hemp seed mix equals just 175 calories, five grams of carbs and seven grams of protein. Seeds are also a reliable source of protein and healthy fats.

Other seeds you can mix in include sesame and flax seeds. Also, lightly roasting the seeds tends to enhance their flavor.

8. Cheese and Peppers

Most of the items listed are quick items you can pull from a fridge. But what if you have a few extra minutes and want to cook something low-carb and tasty on the stove?

One option: Ricotta cheese and peppers.

It’s a popular combination, but this suggestion comes with a twist: Instead of using whole-milk ricotta cheese, switch to part-skim. One ounce of part-skim ricotta cheese has about 39 calories, 1.5 grams of carbs and 3.2 grams of protein.

Using part-skim ricotta also boosts the calcium and protein intake of the low-carb snack without upping any saturated fats.

9. Beef Jerky

Beef jerky is a convenient, easy-to-find and mess-free option for low-carb snacks. Protein-packed beef jerky is carb- and sugar-free and can be matched with a high-fat food item to make the ideal keto snack.

But like the Greek yogurt vs. sweetened yogurt comparison above, you need to read the nutrition label of your beef jerky package.

Does it have three or fewer grams of carbs and sugar? If so, it’s likely a winner, experts say.

If not, watch out. Many beef jerky brands can have as many as 10 grams of carbs per serving. Like low-fat or low-calorie sweetened yogurts, some beef jerky brands add sugar or sugar-based ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup and honey to improve taste and production.

At FEW, women’s health is regularly advocated for and encouraged via various year-round activities. Here, we have resources to address several women’s health issues, including heart disease, cholesterol and breast cancer—all conditions that low-carb snacks can help alleviate.

To learn more about how you can improve your health, which is critically important to any born leader, send us a note. We’re here to help one delicious low-carb snack at a time.

Most trailblazers think they are late.

In her own words, Allie B. Latimer isn’t an exception—although her subsequent work for gender equality during the last 50+ years has been exceptional.

Latimer helped established the first meeting of Federally Employed Women (FEW) in 1968 based on new learnings and experiences. She watched women make strides during World War II, only to fall behind again in peaceful times. While the Civil Rights movement took shape in the 1960s, the reality of gender discrimination showed itself to her.

“We were so busy with discrimination based on race, gender wasn’t thought of,” said Latimer, whose mother was an “EEO mama” where boys and girls did the same chores. “I was a late-comer to gender discrimination.”

Despite the challenges, Latimer learned how to advance her career. In 1977, she became the first Black American woman to serve as general counsel of a major federal agency. She also became the first Black American and first women to attain the GS-18 salary level at the General Services Administration, Veteran Feminists.

So how did she do it?

In a recent interview, Latimer revealed the “building blocks” that she used to climb the ladder. (It’s not a coincidence that FEW, the organization she started, offers the same opportunities to its members who make the decision to use the group as a tool for advancement.)

Here is the list of the tools that she used to reach new heights:

Find the Right Mentor

During her college days at then-Hampton Institute, Latimer found a mentor that told her the things she needed to hear, as opposed to the things she wanted to hear. Her mentor told her that she needed more experiences before she could realize her full potential. And he recommended that she take a special exam that would position herself for a federal job. “Why would I need to take the exam,” the younger Latimer said to her mentor. “I don’t have any plans of working for the federal government.”

• Federally Employed Women (FEW) has launched a mentoring program to support the professional development of emerging leaders, as well as expand their networks and skills. Mentoring is a mutually beneficial experience where valuable knowledge, invaluable experience and astute insight is shared. It offers growth opportunities on professional and personal levels.

Practice Servant Leadership

After college, Latimer volunteered for the American Friends Service Committee when she worked in prisons and mental institutions. Ultimately, she participated in a campaign to desegregate the New Jersey State Hospital in Vineland, New Jersey and integrate a suburban community outside Philadelphia.

Latimer said her volunteer work gave her the experiences that she was missing: “It helped me learn what it meant to be a human being. I learned a lot about life itself.”

• Throughout the year, FEW provides countless community outreach opportunities on the chapter, regional and nationals level that give back to communities, sparking fellowship among members.  Community outreach projects are a win-win opportunity for all members, who are able to help other people while helping themselves create new opportunities by meeting other members.

Put Knowledge To Work

Latimer earned her Juris Doctor from Howard University School of Law in 1953. She also earned a Master of Legal Letters degree from The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law as well as a Master of Divinity degree and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Howard University School of Divinity.

But not all her knowledge came from books. When NASA tried to open its recruitment to a more diverse talent pool in the 1960s, it became clear to her that it wasn’t working. At the time, the agency was taking ads out in publications that were mainly read by white men. The project’s administrator asked Latimer to get involved, when the team couldn’t say how many job applicants were women or minorities.

“It was making me aware how women were being overlooked,” she said.

Latimer said this type of knowledge lead her to found FEW. She said acquiring information, training and knowledge is paramount.

“A lot of the times, we are not aware of the pieces that you have to put together to advance,” she added. “Sometimes, you have to leave your current job and go up another ladder where there is opportunity for you. Just being a human being isn’t good enough. People use knowledge as power. You have to have the knowledge.”

Latimer suggested that federally employed women should read the federal government’s annual Green Book, which offers insight on the long-term plans for each agency in terms of funding and initiatives.

• FEW will host its third year of virtual training July 18 – 22, 2022, with no per diem or lodging cost required.   Once again, FEW will explore the vast options available through an interactive platform to connect you with our trainers, sponsors, and colleagues. FEW will provide a catalog of courses (100+ specialized courses) on various topics, including Human Resources, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Information Technology (IT), Project Management, Management, and Leadership professionals.  All courses align with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Executive Core Competencies (Leading People, Leading Change, Business Acumen, Result Driven, and Building Coalitions).  If that is not enough, FEW will hold several after-hour networking events.

Find Your Community

Around the time she discovered sex discrimination was just as pervasive as racial discrimination, Latimer came to a stark realization: “Being a woman was as bad as being Black.” And she checked both boxes.

But Latimer knew that you can’t beat someone who never quits.

When asked why she never gave up despite the challenges, she said: “My background in the home, school, community and church. They were our mentors. They told us what life was about, and how we should respond.”

She remembers coming home after school and changing into her play clothes while her grandmother was helping a lot of people in the community who were sick.

“People took care of each other,” said Latimer who was born in Pennsylvania and raised in Alabama.

• Members who provide serve the community of FEW are eligible for special recognition, which includes the Allie Latimer Award that recognizes a FEW member whose action and leadership resulted in service to FEW at chapter and/or region level. When members give their time and talent to advance FEW’s mission, they are doing more than helping the community. They are helping themselves by building their reputation and creating new relationships by working side by side with other members on a local, regional and national level.

When FEW launched in 1968, women made 58.2% of what men made in terms of annual salary ($32,389 vs. $18,836). In 2019, women had cut the pay gap to 82% ($57,456 vs. $47,299). Although that’s a clear sign of progress for women, proper context makes the difference more sobering. In 2015, the Institute for Women’s Police Research estimated that women won’t receive equal pay until 2059.

Latimer acknowledges that the struggle continues: “Women have made a lot of gains, but they still have a way to go.”

FEW’s membership needs to continue the charge. To be part of something bigger than yourself, join the movement.

Kimberly Smith knew what she was getting into.

From the very beginning, she knew Federally Employed Women was more than another organization.

It was about women standing on the shoulders of other women for more than 50 years.

“The primary thing that makes FEW special is its legacy,” Smith said. “All active employees today, regardless of federal connection, have benefited from FEW’s work over the past 50-plus years. This organization is a pillar within this country’s employment structure. It is a part of the foundation that allows for progression and equal employment opportunities and a myriad of other benefits for both federal and non-federal employees.  It’s the heart of every member in FEW that makes it a national powerhouse.”

So when Smith was asked to lead FEW’s internal communications publication, News & Views, she understood the responsibility of keeping the nation’s members engaged and moving forward.

In 2021, she received a FEW President’s Award for her outstanding effort.

“This awardee is passionate and compassionate, determined and soft-hearted with boundless energy for FEW,” said FEW National President Karen Rainey during the award ceremony. “We all strive for acceptance, and recognition is a reflection of belonging, a basic human need. Her actions for FEW challenged us all to demonstrate the best FEW has to offer with resources, activities and information. Her work demonstrated next-level professionalism in elevating our online communications with members, partners, friends of FEW, in fact, the entire world.”

During Smith’s first year as editor of News & Views, she changed the focus of the content so it was about looking ahead. She also created a more holistic approach to provide members with tangible tools to be productive throughout the year. Today, the publication focuses on a range of topics, including goal-setting, mentoring, health habits and skill-building.

In every issue, Smith writes her own article that concludes with a challenge to the reader to implement the theme into their daily lives. One of her recent articles, for example, was about the indigenous way of giving, which encompasses a holistic community mindset. Her article challenged members to incorporate that mindset into their activities and presence during the holiday season.

In addition to inviting FEW members to write articles for the publication, she also added a membership spotlight, where anyone can nominate a FEW member to be highlighted in an upcoming issue. She challenged FEW members to highlight the individuals who they felt were the best members that FEW has to offer.

Since joining FEW in 2018, Smith has made an intentional effort to use the organization as a tool to advance her career. She used FEW to hone her skills and advance her education, which have created opportunities for her to participate in career-changing events.

Because of her work with FEW, Smith has been invited to speak to large audiences as a young professional. She has delivered lectures to top-tier organizational leadership within her region. She has taken the skills learned from working with the national board, FEW’s national training programs, the virtual leadership summits and the regional trainings to enhance her efficiency in her current position. Her experience at FEW has built her confidence to stand behind her work and present her ideas and recommendations to upper management.

Smith said FEW is a truly special organization. “The incredible story of this organization’s leadership and its commitment to improving the lives of others is astounding,” she said. “To sit in a room with these ladies, who all have incredible stories, will give you a sense of empowerment and strength that you didn’t know you were missing or didn’t know you were wanting. There is a sisterhood and bond within the FEW family that I have yet to witness in any other organization. Each member comes to FEW with skills and networks for the greater good of FEW. Each member in whatever professional career level is willing to extend a hand out to help a fellow member up, to SOAR together to new heights.”

So, what would Smith say to federally employed women who are interested in joining the association?

“We get in your DNA!” said Smith, who parrots President Rainey’s comment at the SE Region’s NTP meeting.

She added: “The beauty of FEW is that its national and international presence can provide aid to a member’s need with the simple dial of a phone or click of an email. The members in FEW and especially the leadership really are intentional about stripping away the barriers found within the professional capacity. They are intentional about creating a space for a true bond to take place—for relationships to be built upon the human aspect and then enhanced by professional networking. 

“So I would say to anyone remotely interested in joining an organization with the desire to build camaraderie, effect change, develop personal and professional skills and/or give back, you need to look no further than FEW.”