April 09 Issue - Employee Monthly Magazine
Computing systems whiz named LANL Star
Fatima Woody helps student Stephanie Vigil
master a desktop application. Photo by Sandra Valdez
Support from many individuals
and a great group to work in
helped Fatima Woody of Departmental
Computing Services
become a LANL Star. Woody, a
computing systems professional,
was recognized by the Womens’
Employee Resource Group for
her numerous contributions to
the Laboratory.
“It’s great to be a LANL Star,”
Woody said. “I was shocked
and really happy. And I heard
from many people with whom I
worked in the past and I hadn’t
heard from for a long time.”
Woody attributes much of her
success to coworkers. “It’s a
great team,” she said. “We’re
family—we share resources and
knowledge. Our attitude is not to
compete but to complement one
another.”
It’s no wonder the computer
whiz appreciates family—she’s
the second-youngest child of 13 and has three
children of her own. “I thank God every day
for my family,” said Woody.
Woody sets up desktop computers, troubleshoots
application issues, and mentors
students. “That’s one part of my job I love—teaching students,” she said. She explained
that she is familiar with mentoring because she
had a mentor when she first joined the Laboratory
as a high school student. She worked as
a student at the Los Alamos Neutron Science
Center from 1988 until 1991, she said.
Three degrees and 20 years later, scores of
coworkers and Lab customers have come to
recognize Woody’s dedication and hard work.
She was touched by how many congratulated
her on being named a LANL Star, she said. Woody added that the best way to give back
to the Lab is by continuing to be a good
employee—and by nominating other women
as LANL Stars.
“I’m not sure how the nomination process
works,” Woody said. “But I hope to make a
‘Star’ out of someone one day.”
--Erika Martinez
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