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 almost 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 take the lessons learned from the leadership focused training back to their workplace where many do indeed “Move On and Move Up” in their government careers. 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.

Some of our attendees have shared their NTP Success Stories. After you attend NTP 2008, you will be able to add your own success story to theirs.

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.