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President | Kem Graham
Vice President | Linda Bumpus
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The Mid America Chapter is a diverse group full of people passionate about the mission of equality for women! We are under the FEW Mid Continent Region and currently represent the St. Louis and Scott AFB IL area.
Some of our local objectives include: -Acquiring passionate members -Collaborating with organizations + events -Expanding our reach -Advocating for legislation with our state officials |
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WHAT IS FEW?
FEW advocates to improve the status of women employed by the Federal government.
FEW is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1968 shortly after government issued Executive Order 11375 which added sex-discrimination to the list of prohibited discrimination within the Federal Government. Although E.O. 11375 was an important milestone, several women were concerned that the Civil Service Commission and individual agencies may not put forth the vigorous effort necessary to ensure compliance with E.O. 11375.
Although the Federal Women’s Program (FWP) had been established, the early organizers of FEW realized that the government could dismantle FWP, and they wanted to ensure that there would always be an organization dedicated to promoting equality for women and addressing concerns of women in the Federal workforce. Additionally, because FWP is a government function, it is limited in its political scope, and cannot lobby Congress. As a private organization, FEW is not restricted in that area
As a private organization, FEW works as an advocacy group to improve the status of women employed by the Federal government. This includes contact with Congress to encourage progressive legislation. FEW national officers meet with management officials at all levels of agencies to demonstrate support of the FWP, encourage officials to support the program and to obtain insight on the effectiveness of the FWP at agency and local levels.
history | 50 years of courage in the making!
Since the incorporation of Federally Employed Women (FEW), the organization has evolved from an idea to an international organization. FEW’s accomplishments and activities have impacted the federal workplace and contributed to improved working conditions and increased potential for women.
In 1967 Executive Order (E.O.) 11375 was established with the purpose of adding “sex” to the other forms of discrimination prohibited within the federal government and by federal contractors outlined in E.O. 11246. A few months after the issuance of E.O. 11375, a group of federal women from throughout the United States met in Washington, D.C., at a three-day “Seminar for Executive Women” sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Mention of the Federal Women’s Program by the few participants who were familiar with it brought forth a suggestion that they meet at a later date to explore the possibility of organizing a group to deal with questions raised at the seminar.
Although these women believed that a significant step had been taken in the issuance of E.O. 11375, they all knew what would happen if the Civil Service Commission (Office of Personnel Management) and the individual agencies did not put forth vigorous efforts during the implementation stages of the executive order. Consequently, in April 1968 a group of these women met, a committee was formed with Allie Weeden elected as Chair, and organizational plans were drafted. This nucleus group met again during the summer of 1968 in the National City Christian Church. Ultimately, the name selected for the organization was Federally Employed Women (FEW). The first President of FEW was Allie Weeden (Latimer) (1968-1969), who was installed by Steve Harrison, FEW’s first male member.
STRUCTURE
From the beginning FEW was envisioned as a three-tier structure—the organization itself, individual chapters, and finally regions. The first year’s efforts were devoted to the establishment and strengthening of the organization. Of major importance was that FEW not become an organization just for professional women, but that it should be a “grassroots” organization concerned with all women.
All 3 tiers work together to fulfill the goals of FEW’s four major program areas:
-Legislative
-Training
-Compliance
-Diversity
In 1967 Executive Order (E.O.) 11375 was established with the purpose of adding “sex” to the other forms of discrimination prohibited within the federal government and by federal contractors outlined in E.O. 11246. A few months after the issuance of E.O. 11375, a group of federal women from throughout the United States met in Washington, D.C., at a three-day “Seminar for Executive Women” sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Mention of the Federal Women’s Program by the few participants who were familiar with it brought forth a suggestion that they meet at a later date to explore the possibility of organizing a group to deal with questions raised at the seminar.
Although these women believed that a significant step had been taken in the issuance of E.O. 11375, they all knew what would happen if the Civil Service Commission (Office of Personnel Management) and the individual agencies did not put forth vigorous efforts during the implementation stages of the executive order. Consequently, in April 1968 a group of these women met, a committee was formed with Allie Weeden elected as Chair, and organizational plans were drafted. This nucleus group met again during the summer of 1968 in the National City Christian Church. Ultimately, the name selected for the organization was Federally Employed Women (FEW). The first President of FEW was Allie Weeden (Latimer) (1968-1969), who was installed by Steve Harrison, FEW’s first male member.
STRUCTURE
From the beginning FEW was envisioned as a three-tier structure—the organization itself, individual chapters, and finally regions. The first year’s efforts were devoted to the establishment and strengthening of the organization. Of major importance was that FEW not become an organization just for professional women, but that it should be a “grassroots” organization concerned with all women.
All 3 tiers work together to fulfill the goals of FEW’s four major program areas:
-Legislative
-Training
-Compliance
-Diversity
FEW (Federally Employed Women) is organized into 10 regions. There are approximately 100 chapters in the U.S. and overseas that provide a network of monthly programs, meetings, training workshops, and special projects, all tailored to the specific needs of the chapter. The Mid America Chapter is under the Mid Continent region and is part of the National FEW organization.
Want to learn more about FEW National ?
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