DUGWAY PROVING GROUND, Utah - Dugway Hall of Fame inductee Kitsy Keetch started her career at DPG in 1959 as a Clerk Typist. During her 42 years at the installation, Keetch spearheaded many initiatives promoting women in the workforce and even started a women’s week in 1973 at the Dugway Proving Ground theater. Nearly 50 years later, the women of Dugway continue her efforts with the creation of the Dugway Women’s Forum.
One of the biggest challenges facing Dugway is recruiting and retaining talent. That challenge only grows when it comes to finding more women to join our workforce. Since the creation of the Women’s Forum, many women on DPG have rallied behind the effort. The forum hosts a range of classes on topics like team cohesion, computer software, resume writing, and conducting interviews.
While participation in the forum is growing, members are calling on everyone at DPG to give them a helping hand. In her latest command message, CSM Mauvet M. Rawls called on supervisors and co-workers to help the women they work with make time to join the forum. She also called on the women of Dugway to bring their ideas. “After all – the stronger we are as a team, the more success you will have personally and professionally,” says CSM Rawls.
Additional ways to help empower the women we work with include sharing knowledge and making sure they are given credit for their work and ideas. Some people want to learn but are hesitant to ask, which is why we should all be prepared to offer our wisdom and guidance. Many women have experienced being talked over or ignored while at the workplace. It is all our duty to call-out these instances and make sure every voice is heard.
CSM Rawls reminds everyone, even if you don’t think this issue impacts you, it does: “know that as we move into the future and women continue to join the workforce, this will be a challenge faced by your mothers, wives, sisters, friends, and daughters.” If you’d like to join the Dugway Women’s Forum, contact Kimberly Kloser.
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