ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - The Aberdeen Proving Ground Federal Women's Program celebrated Women's Equality Day with an observance and awards ceremony Aug. 21 in the Ball Conference Center.
The annual observance celebrates the passing of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which granted women the right to vote. After a 72- year campaign the amendment was ratified Aug. 20 1920. In keeping with the celebration, Janet Dettwiler, APG director of human resources, representing the Installation Voter Assistance Office, was present to answer any questions.
This was the 27th year that APG has recognized outstanding employees and organizations that promote equal opportunities and professional growth for federal women in the workplace. The theme for this year's event was "Women's Education, Women's Empowerment."
Garrison APG Commander Col. Gregory McClinton, welcomed attendees who included Maj. Gen. Robert S. Ferrell, commander of APG and the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command and Maj. Gen. Genaro J. Dellarocco, commander of the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command.
The keynote speaker, retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Clara Adams-Ender, is the Executive Director of Caring About People With Ethusiasm or CAPE Incorporated, a foundation that is dedicated to raising funds to help students of modest means complete their education. Adams-Ender also serves on the Council on Foreign Relations. She said that when women vote, they uphold the legacy of women's rights.
"Today we reap the benefits of these women pioneers who fought long and tirelessly so that women could have the right to exercise their civil right to vote," she said.
Adams-Ender added that people should vote because it is their duty as citizens.
"As citizens of this nation, our rights and responsibilities are strengthened each and every time we exercise them."
Supervisor/Manager of the Year
Pamela Fry from the U.S. Army Research Laboratory was named Supervisor/Manager of the Year for promoting equal opportunity and professional growth for federal women. "I am truly honored and humbled by this recognition," Fry said.
Other nominees were Lindsay Yowell, U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center; Carol Eason, Edgewood Chemical Biological Center; Amy Millikan, U.S. Army Public Health Command; Denise Mathews, CECOM; Mary Wade, ECBC; Regina Kistner, U.S. Army Materiel Systems Analysis Activity; and Lucille Wesley-Gamble from CECOM.
Outstanding Woman of the Year
Dr. Asha Hall from ARL was named Outstanding Woman of the Year. Hall said that this recognition has inspired her to do even more to give back to her community. In addition to mentoring young engineers and scientists, Hall is an active member of Women in Defense and the Society of Women Engineers and has authored or co-authored 13 scientific public publications.
"As a professional woman in science and engineering, I find it my mission to mentor and encourage other women to go [into these fields]," she said.
Jamie Howard from AMSAA also was nominated.
Most Supportive of FWP goals
The Edgewood Chemical Biological Center won the award for activity most supportive of FWP goals. Alvin Thornton, ECBC director of engineering, accepted the award. ECBC received the award for conducting activities during Women's History Month to develop and recognize females in the organization through work force activities including a leadership panel event, guest blog series, online discussion forums and a themed newsletter focused on Women in Science and Engineering.
"At ECBC we say that employees are the most valuable asset to the organization," Thornton said. "We truly believe that and live that."
Other nominees included the ATEC, USAPHC, ECBC, and AMSAA.
FEW scholarship
Sheryl Coleman, president of the Maryland Tri-County Chapter of Federally Employed Women, presented the annual Dottie Dorman Working Women's Scholarship to Christine Reilly, a CECOM employee who is currently pursuing a doctorate degree at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
The scholarship is awarded to a female federal employee who works in Baltimore, Cecil or Harford County and is currently pursuing college-level education studies.
FEW is a private membership organization that works with Congress and legislators as an advocacy group to improve the status of women employed by the federal government. The Maryland Tri-County Chapter of FEW covers Harford, Cecil and Baltimore counties. For more information about FEW contact Coleman at 410-278-5964.
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