Ms. Fore shared insight on a particular concern of hers that mentoring other women for the future is a responsibility of all women currently serving in higher positions — also an EWG objective. She also offered that political appointees, executives, and GS-schedule employees need to work together and across lines, as each in their own capacity has a significant contribution and perspective which is extremely valuable. She concluded her thoughts with a focus on strategies to streamline redundancy in organizations. She suggested goals including right-sizing; open-yet-secure borders; career development; knowledge management; mentoring programs; and rewards for taking risks, innovation, and teamwork. With Ms. Fore’s broad spectrum of responsibilities under her purview, her focus is obviously across lines.
From Left: Christine Liu, Maria Parisi-Vickers and Henrietta Fore

With such a delightful and inspiring kick-off for our new calendar of events, this year surely plans to be a memorable one! Special thanks to our new Program Committee Chair Christine Liu who coordinated the event.

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A Note About The Honorable Sandra Day O’Connor, EWG Member

Admired and long-standing EWG member, Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, announced July 1st her retirement from the Supreme Court after serving in one of our Nation’s most revered positions. Donning her court robes, Justice O’Connor presided over two EWG Board inductions at the Court in 2003 and most recently this past June. Her participation with our organization has been appreciated by the members who had an opportunity to either work directly with her or meet her at one of our installation ceremonies. The following biographical overview provides some insight into her life experiences which shaped the intellectual, well-rounded, and thoughtful Supreme Court Justice regarded by many as one of the most influential women in America.

Justice O’Connor is the first woman and the 102^nd person to sit on the Supreme Court of the United States. Born in El Paso, Texas in 1930, she spent her early childhood on the family’s Lazy-B-Cattle Ranch in Southeastern Arizona owned by her parents, Harry and Ada Mae.

She experienced challenges at an early age on the rural ranch which did not have electricity or running water until she was seven. Her younger brother and sister were not born until Justice O’Connor was eight years old, leaving her to spend several years as an only child. To compensate, she befriended pets including a bobcat, read profusely and engaged in many ranch activities. She learned to drive at age seven and could fire rifles and ride horses proficiently by the time she turned eight. Recognizing at an early age that their daughter was bright, her parents sent her to live with her grandmother Mamie Scott Wilkey in El Paso. Her grandmother is said to have had the greatest influence upon the Justice.

Justice O’Connor majored in economics at Stanford University graduating with high honors. It was during her work as editor on the Stanford Law Review that she met John Jay O’Connor III who was attending law school at Stanford. In 1952, she graduated from law school, again with honors, and soon thereafter married John O’Connor. Despite her excellent scholastic record, it was difficult for women to find positions as lawyers. She encountered challenges finding a job in the then-male-dominated legal world. No law firm in California wanted to hire her; only one offered her a position as a legal secretary--clearly a reflection of a solid “glass ceiling.” Her husband practiced law for a few years before they decided to build a home in north Phoenix. Their first son was born in 1957 followed by two more sons in the next five years.

In 1965, Justice O’Connor worked part-time for the Arizona Attorney General’s office. In 1969, she was appointed to the state Senate and was subsequently re-elected to that position. In 1973, Justice O’Connor was the first woman to serve as the majority leader of a state Senate. In 1974, she was elected to a position of trial judge for Maricopa County and 5-years later was appointed by the then-Governor Bruce Babbitt to the Court of Appeals. On July 7, 1981, President Reagan announced that Sandra Day O’Connor was his appointee to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court—the position she holds while awaiting appointment of her replacement.

Justice O’Connor is regarded as a consummate compromiser: her goal is to achieve a majority vote. “She truly was known as the swing vote for her moderate views—a view that will be sorely missed by all,” to quote our own EWG Member, Naomi Zeavin, a close friend of Justice O’Connor. Justice O’Connor made it clear that she believes a court’s role, including that of the Supreme Court, is to interpret and not to legislate.

EWG wishes Justice O’Connor the best in her retirement and especially extends well-wishes for her husband who is currently suffering from the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. EWG is planning a celebratory event for Justice O’Connor in the near future honoring her contributions to our society and to our organization.

Interesting Particulars About Justice O’Connor:

• 1^st Woman Supreme Court Justice.
• Justice O’Connor was mentored by Barry Goldwater.
• Briefly dated Chief Justice Rehnquist, who graduated 1^st in her class at Stanford.
• Justice O’Connor enjoys gardening and fine meals.
• Justice O’Connor has been a dedicated aerobiciser leading morning aerobics sessions at the Supreme Court gym (basketball court known as the “highest court in the land”)!

Board members welcome the opportunity to come to your agency whether it’s for a more formal event with a guest speaker or an informal “brown bag” lunch for casual conversation about a myriad of issues facing executive women in the federal workplace. If you would like to host an event, please contact EWG Program Chair, Christine Liu or Membership Chair Gayle Rice – or any of the board members.

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EWG 2005-2006 Program/Event Calendar

Thursday, November 17 – Lunchtime Dialog with Major General Frances C. Wilson, Commandant, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington, DC at Fort McNair Officers Club. Registration & Networking: 11:30pm; Luncheon: 12noon. For details and registration, visit http://www.execwomeningov.org/events/.

Tuesday, December 6 – EWG Holiday Tea and Fundraiser honoring Toys for Tots at the Four Seasons Hotel; 4pm-6pm. For details and registration, visit http://www.execwomeningov.org/events/.

Additional Events of Interest:

Wednesday, October 12 – Women in Technology (WIT) - Women in Government Outreach Committee’s Transitions presents a panel discussion about legal and personnel issues and concerns you may need to be aware of as you make career changes. 7:30-9:30 am; Treasury Executive Institute. For details and registration, go to www.womenintechnology.com and login either as a member or a guest.

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TIAW News: Update on Bulgaria Conference & Upcoming Event

by Margie Armen
This year, The International Alliance for Women, of which EWG is a member, held its international meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria. EWG was ably represented by four of its members: Donna Heivilin, Margie Armen, Virginia Robinson and Evelyn Brown. The International Association of Professional and Business Women of Bulgaria hosted the conference, and TIAW participants were treated to an exceptional day-long seminar, followed by two days of meetings and tours in Bulgaria.

Key women officials of the Bulgarian government addressed the conference, including the Chair of the Parliamentary Budget and Finance Committee and the Director of International Relations and EU Integration for the Bulgarian National Bank. Business leaders we heard from included the General Manager of Hewlett Packard for Bulgaria, the Managing Director of American Standard, Bulgaria and the Executive Director of HVB Bank Biochim. The speakers told the participants about the extraordinary accomplishment of the Bulgarian government and its citizens, who brought their economy and society back from a disastrous financial collapse in 1997 to being accepted for EU membership in 2007 and adoption of the Euro in 2010.

TIAW participants found that women are playing leading roles in all sectors, although they face many of the same challenges as elsewhere, especially in regard to senior appointments and access to capital.

But perhaps more than the information we gained, this conference allowed the participants to make true and deep connections with our wonderful Bulgarian women hosts and with the other conference attendees from Western Europe and North America. Importantly, by staging the conference, the International Association of Professional Business Women in Bulgaria accomplished a great deal besides direct business connections. They demonstrated leadership and strategic prowess. They also won the attention of a wide range of top national business and government representatives, from the Bulgarian Royal Family (deposed as monarchs, but prominent as citizens) to the mayors of cities we visited and the local business communities.

It's difficult to gauge the exact impact, but it is safe to say that, we were able to Connect to Make All the Difference in the World - and EWG was part of it all!

If you'd like to experience a TIAW event, consider attending the TIAW Global Forum in Jacksonville, Florida, October 19-21^st. This event, hosted by the Women Business Owners of North Florida, includes a number of exciting speakers and topics which will focus on the theme "Celebrating 25 Years of Women Making a World of Difference in Business, Politics and Philanthropy." Speakers include Haifa Al Kaylani, Arab International Women’s Forum, London; Cecilia Pérez Diaz, Minister of National Service for Women, Chile; Carmen Gisela Vergara, Vice Minister of Foreign Trade, Panama;Tami Longaberger, National Women’s Business Council (NWBC; Nuby Fowler, US Small Business Administration; and Sandy Bartow, Jacksonville Women’s Business Center.

For more details on the Global Forum and other TIAW news and events, visit www.tiaw.org.

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In the News

U.S. Senate Approves the National Women’s History Museum Act

On July 29, 2005, the United States Senate approved The National Women's History Museum Act of 2005 by unanimous consent. Senator Susan Collins, Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, spearheaded the legislation to create a national women’s history museum on the site chosen and recommended by the NWHM Board.

Senator Collins introduced The National Women’s History Museum Act of 2005 with the support of all of the women members of the Senate. This legislation directs the GSA to enter into a long-term occupancy agreement with the National Women’s History Museum, Inc., an educational, non-profit organization. The plan is to develop the Pavilion Annex adjoining the Old Post Office Building on Pennsylvania Avenue NW. It is estimated that the museum would draw over 1.5 million visitors a year.

For more information including a list of bill co-sponsors and details about the museum, visit the NWHM site at http://www.nmwh.org/news/press.html.

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Women Helping Women

EWG was formed to promote women to senior leadership positions in the Federal government. In addition, a key objective is to encourage and advance women in the social, economic, and political structures of our society. Related to that objective, we as EWG members have various opportunities to assist women in various capacities. This Newsletter column is being introduced to EWG members to promote outreach opportunities to all women.

Make a difference to women just entering the workforce or facing difficult situations by checking out these websites for donations of business apparel and cell phones.

Dress For Success’s [www.dressforsuccess.org] mission is to advance low-income women’s economic and social development and to encourage self-sufficiency through career development and employment retention. It responds to the needs of our communities by providing programs that help economically disadvantaged women acquire jobs, retain their new positions, and succeed in the mainstream workplace. Each Dress for Success client receives one suit when she has a job interview and a week’s worth of separates when she gets the job. Their Professional Women’s Group program then provides ongoing support to help the client build a successful career.”

How You Can Help: You can donate your used suits or separates appropriate for interviews). Visit their website for an organizational overview and instructions on how to donate.

Donate Used Cell Phones Do you have unused cell phones because you’ve switched providers or your child just had to have a different model?

Domestic Violence Programs throughout our area are in need of used cell phones for victims of domestic violence. The cell phones are refurbished and provided to women programmed with 911 – they become lifelines for these women when faced with emergency situations.

How You Can Help: Donate your unused cell phone. Local drop-off sites are listed on two websites:

Call to Protect www.wirelessfoundation.org/CalltoProtect

Verizon Wireless
www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/aboutUs/communityservice/hopeLine.jsp

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Making A Difference: Women of Yesterday & Today

Elizabeth Cady Stanton, 19^th Century Suffragist

A late 19^th-century photograph of Elizabeth Cady Stanton (left) and Susan B. Anthony. Their intellectual and organizational partnership dominated the suffrage movement until their deaths in the early 1900s. (Source: National Women’s History Museum)

In the spirit of the 85^th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage Celebration, EWG honors Elizabeth Cady Stanton as an influential American woman who influenced major social change. Ms. Stanton is believed to be the driving force behind the 1848 Convention, and for the next fifty years played a leadership role in the women’s rights movement.

Frances Fragos Townsend, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism

EWG Member Frances Fragos Townsend was appointed Homeland Security Advisor by the President on May 28, 2004. Townsend chairs the Homeland Security Council and reports to the President on United States Homeland Security policy and Combating Terrorism matters. As a member serving in a critical capacity, EWG salutes Ms. Townsend for her leadership role in today’s challenges against terrorism.

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EWG Cameos

Maria Parisi Vickers, EWG President

"Like any other organization I've ever known, EWG's most valuable resource is its membership! They are dedicated, intelligent, interesting and powerful women who come together to enhance and nurture those qualities in each other and in others in the federal family. One of the goals embraced by this year's Board of Directors is to double and diversify our membership. We are ambitious about the number of members we want to attract and we are similarly ambitious about attracting members from every federal agency and department.

We are launching this Cameo column because we want to highlight on a regular basis members of EWG so that we can get to know and appreciate each other.

Now that I have had to the pleasure to meet so many of my EWG colleagues, I appreciate even more the collection of experience we share. How often does one sit next to an opera diva, an artist or a published author at a luncheon? Well, these women are EWG members with whom I shared a table at one of our luncheon events, and, by the way, they are also executives running the federal government's business and serving their families! Please let us know if you or a member colleague would like to appear in or Cameo column to share experiences and your background. Send your suggestions to Linda Burch at lcburch@comcast.net or Peggy Hoffman at info@execwomeningov.org .

Thank you for sharing and please make it your goal to ask a colleague you admire to join EWG. The life of EWG depends on you, make it your goal to recruit one new member this month. Thank you and I hope that the next cameo is yours!"

Maria Parisi Vickers, Deputy Director, Office of Solid Waste, EPA

Linda C. Burch, EWG Communications Chair

Hello everyone, let me introduce myself. I’m the new EWG Communications Chair, primarily responsible for the publication of our quarterly EWG Newsletters. I am the Portfolio Manager of Information Technology (IT) Investments at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and a key member of the Management Team for the Chief Information Officer (CIO). I have twenty-plus years of experience in the Federal budget process, policy development, strategic planning, and the management of fiscal resources supporting IT investments. I have most enjoyed functioning as a liaison with oversight bodies including the Office of Management and Budget, General Accounting Office and the Congress. Today, I work closely with senior management within the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice (DOJ) in developing strategies that support mission-critical IT priorities through capital planning and investment and portfolio management.

Outside the office, I have a 15-year old daughter who has a very active social life which keeps me on my toes and presents new challenges every day! In all my “extra” time, one of my extracurricular activities is ballroom dancing. I also enjoy volunteering at the Kennedy Center and am especially pleased to serve as the 2005-2006 EWG Communications Chair. So in that light, if you have any ideas that you would like presented in our Newsletter, please contact me at lcburch@comcast.net or Linda.burch@ic.fbi.gov.

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EWG Welcomes New Members

Name	Agency
Jannett Bradford	Department of Homeland Security
Theresa Bradley	Brava Corporations
Gina Capra	DHHS/HRSA
Henrietta Fore	US Department of State
Cynthia Heath	Department of Education
Colleen Hope	Department of State
Paula Lincoln	Department of Housing and Urban Development
Essye Miller	Policy and Resources Directorate/USAF
Gina Myers	Financial Management Services, Treasury
Barbara Pabotoy	Internal Revenue Service
Janie Payne	Federal Emergency Management Agency
Peggy Philbin	Department of State
Donna Smith	United States Postal Service
Deanna Stouder	National Forest System
Mary Swann	Department of State
Letitia Tucker	USAID
Claire Votaw	Department of State
Susan Wallace	US Agency for International Development
Lisa White-Hoxie	National Labor Relations Board
Michaelle Wilson	Environmental Protection Agency

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