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NTP OVERVIEW
REGISTRATION
EVENTS
LODGING
TRANSPORTATION
RESOURCES
GET INVOLVED
FEW
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Federally Employed Women
Federally Employed Women is a membership
organization working for the elimination of sexual discrimination
and the advancement of women in government. This is accomplished
by:
- encouraging diversity and equity in the workplace;
- enhancing career opportunities for women;
- establishing and maintaining working relationships with
organizations to advocate the fair application of EEO and
personnel laws, policies, procedures, and practices;
- improving the quality of life for women by influencing
Congressional and administrative actions;
- committing to achieve and maintain a unified and diverse
membership; and
- providing opportunities for professional growth through
leadership development, education, mentoring, and networking
.
For 40 years Federally Employed Women (FEW) has been working for the
advancement of women in government through its outstanding training programs
at the national, regional, and local chapter levels.
In July of each year, approximately 1,800 attendees gather
for FEW’s National Training Program (NTP), and they
are able to take the “Keys to Success” gained
from the leadership-focused training back to their workplace.
FEW has been most successful in helping women bridge the
gap from administrative to management positions and in moving
from a job to a career. Almost all members of Federally Employed
Women have a story to tell and particularly those who have
taken leadership roles within the organization. We want to
share a few of those stories with you because we believe
that in sharing their stories, we really tell FEW’s
story–40 years of women helping women to develop personally
and professionally so that they are ready to move up when
the opportunity presents itself.
Rhonda Trent, 2006-2008 National President
In 1993 at the National Training Program, I attended
a workshop on interviewing techniques and skills. I was a
GS-4 and attended college classes in the evening. Soon thereafter,
I received a call from the Contracting Directorate requesting
an interview for a GS-5 - target GS-9 position. I made the
list because I had 24 business hours of college credit. Using
my notes from the NTP class, I prepared for the interview,
and I was offered the position immediately. For this reason,
I credit FEW because I now had a career and not just a job.
While at Tinker AFB, in Oklahoma I completed my Bachelor’s
and Master’s Degrees. A few years later, I was selected
for a Career Broadening Program and moved to San Antonio,
Texas. During the interview for this position the board commented
on the strong skills I’d acquired in my volunteer leadership
positions with FEW. In 2005 I was selected to work on the
prestigious Joint Strike Fighter Program in Crystal City,
Virginia, and just a few months ago, I was selected for a
GS 14/15 position at the Department of Homeland Security
in Washington D.C. My mobility, education, and career assignments
helped me. However, FEW gave me the leadership training and
opportunities I would have never been afforded at work.
Jean Christiansen, Past National President
I started working for the U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service
as a GS-5 Secretary in Dallas, Texas. I was 34 with four children and
no college degree. I was impressed with FEW’s programs and got
involved at the chapter level and then at the national level. In 1990,
I moved to Washington DC, and was elected National President.
During my second term as National President, I was selected
for an Executive Potential Program. This led to a new assignment
as the Officer in Charge in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and then
in Vienna, Austria. I retired in 2005 as the GS-15 District
Director in Bangkok, Thailand. My career would never have
been possible without the mentors and support of the wonderful
women of FEW!
Judy Dillander, Southeast Region
FEW really makes a difference! I became a member
of FEW in 1986 when I was in between federal agencies and
federal careers. At that time, I had been a cartographer
for the U.S. Defense Mapping Agency in Louisville, Kentucky
for six years. As a result of networking in the Derby City
Chapter, I met a wonderful lady, Sandy Hardee, a longtime
member of FEW. She introduced me to the U.S. Department of
Labor, Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP),
where she was a Compliance Officer. I applied and was hired
with the agency in 1987 also as a Compliance Officer. We
spent many wonderful and exciting years together in FEW and
OFCCP before she retired. She has moved on to a consulting
business. I am a Senior Compliance Officer at OFCCP, GS-12,
and can retire in 2012. I have served FEW in many offices
to include Southeast Regional Manager, Assistant Southeast
Regional Manager, Regional Representative, Derby City Chapter
President, Derby City Chapter Vice President, Southeast RTP
Co-Chair, and 2007 Southeast RTP Co-Chair. FEW has made a
big difference in my life!
Arlena Fitch-Gordon, National VP for Training
I attended my first FEW National Training Program
(NTP) in 1991. I was impressed with the Workshop Presenters/Keynote
Speakers. I was inspired, motivated and empowered to believe
that during the 21 st Century, I would achieve and fulfill
my dream of becoming a keynote speaker for training programs
sponsored by the Federally Employed Women. My involvement
with FEW was the roadmap that helped charter my destiny in
life. FEW has helped me realize my own potential and broaden
my horizons of becoming a motivational speaker. I was honored
to serve as FEW’s Vice President of Diversity for four
years and I currently serve as FEW’s Vice President
for Training.
Jeanette Miller, Past National President
The theme “Moving On, Moving Up” for NTP 2008 certainly describes
my career and my experience with FEW over the last 28 years since I joined
FEW. I was recruited into FEW by the president of the newly-formed Oak
Ridge Chapter of FEW in 1979. I attribute my career success to my volunteer
work for FEW where I acquired many skills – leadership, tenacity,
and the ability to work with and value people of all different backgrounds.
Through the various leadership roles I have held, and the experience
gained, I was selected for a management intern position which required
attending college while raising children and working full time. The sacrifices
have paid off two-fold, and I now am serving as a GS-13 Audit Analysis
Specialist with the Department of Energy. I presently serve as Vice President
of the FEW Foundation for Education & Training, sister organization
to FEW.
I encourage women of all ages to consider a leadership
role in FEW! You will gain so much. Little did I know when
I was President of the Oak Ridge Chapter in 1986 that I would
someday be National President of FEW? What an experience!
I will always treasure the many friends I have made and the
experiences I have encountered during my volunteer work with
FEW. Go FEW!
Rudene Thomas , DC Metro Region
I joined FEW in March of 1998. I’ve gained
valuable skills in the areas of leadership and public speaking.
These skills are reflected on my resume and have allowed
me to break the glass ceiling of the GS-9. I’m a GS-11
and still apply the skills that I’ve received from
FEW.
FEW encourages members to further their education. I completed
my BS degree in Technical Management, and I’m now pursuing
an MBA in Project Management and MPA in Government Management
Emphasis. I still volunteer with FEW to continue developing
the leadership skills needed in the federal service. Currently,
I serve on FEW National Nominations Committee.
Patricia Wolfe, Past National President
Moving On, Moving Up! This describes my experience
with FEW and the influence it had on my being able to “move
on” from Washington State to Washington, DC in 1997
for a procurement intern position with the Department of
Treasury and to “move up” from a GS-07 at Treasury
to a GS-15 with the Department of Homeland Security. Without
FEW friends’ encouragement and support, this would
not have been possible.
I joined FEW’s Rainier Chapter in Tacoma, Washington
after attending a workshop entitled “Take Charge of
Your Career,” and I did! I completed my Bachelor’s
Degree and took advantage of FEW’s training and leadership
opportunities at the chapter, region, and national levels
so that I was ready when the opportunity came. This all culminated
in my serving as FEW’s National President from 2002-2006.
I currently serve as President of FEW’s Foundation
for Education and Training.
For additional information about the FEW organization,
please visit our national web site >> www.few.org.
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