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Task Force on the Employment and Advancement of Women in the Department of Veterans Affairs
In October 2002, VA Secretary Anthony J. Principi met with 28 women at the GS-14 and above grade levels to discuss concerns regarding the employment, training, and advancement of women. To address the concerns raised at the meeting and develop a comprehensive plan to correct imbalances, he directed the establishment of a Secretary's Task Force on the Employment and Advancement of Women. The Secretary mandated the following:
- Expand the Women's Executive Leadership Forum to include field facilities.
- Obtain information from other agencies and the private sector on best practices.
- Work with professional organizations - Executive Women in Government, Federally Employed Women, National Association of Female Executives, and others - to enhance VA's ability to recruit and retain highly skilled women and prepare them to become future VA executives.
- Identify strategies to recognize and publicize the accomplishments of women in Government.
In December 2002, the group began gathering data and outlining strategies that would bring about meaningful workforce change not only for women, but for minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities as well. The Task Force issued a Report to the Secretary in April 2003, identifying the following key initiatives:
- Establish a Secretary's Advisory Council on Diversity-comprised of industry experts and VA officials-to advise and monitor the progress of programs and strategies necessary to attract, retain, and advance women.
- Brief the Department's most senior managers on the Task Force report, including the feedback from focus groups.
- Incorporate the strategies for success into the Department's Strategic Plan and hold organizations accountable for results.
The group also developed three strategic goals related to VA's enabling goal ("Deliver world-class service to veterans and their families by applying sound business principles that result in effective management of people, communications, technology, and governance."):
- Increase internal and external recruitment and retention programs designed to attract and promote women.
- Develop and enhance education and training programs designed to advance women.
- Foster a corporate culture that proactively integrates women into GS-13, GS-14, GS-15, and Senior Executive Service positions.
On January 21, 2004, Susan C. McHugh, former Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, was designated to oversee the implementation of the key initiatives. Work on the Task Force recommendations continues, with full implementation due by December 2004. For additional information on this initiative, please call Wanda Jones, National Program Manager, at wanda.jones@va.gov.
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