International Network of Women in Emergency Management (inWEM) and the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM)

By Global Goodwill Ambassador Dr. Jacqueline McBride-Jones, CEM, NEMEA, NJCDRCC, CPM, CVA

Historical Perspective (Revisited 2017)

 In the middle 1980s, I was first introduced to IAEM (then NCCEM) by Mr. Ellis Stanley, Sr., a role model, and mentor. He encouraged my participation in IAEM and emphasized the value of the organizations’ networks and outreach to all segments of the community. As a woman of color, and one of the first women of color to join the field of emergency management, I was excited about forging new partnerships within a diverse organization.

In the late 1980s, I began my doctoral studies, and in 1991, I completed the first dissertation on Emergency Managers and Leadership in the USA and around the world. During this time, I was active in IAEM, happily serving as IAEM Region II Director. In 1993, I was one of the first persons to receive the designation of CEM ?. During this time, I became very active in serving my country as a FEMA reservist, which engulfed my time, leaving me with limited time to continue my active participation in IAEM.

Over the years, I had a burning desire to reconnect with IAEM and offer my expertise and time to advance discussions on women, children, and vulnerable populations before, during and after disasters, events, and crises. I began to use my expertise and passion to develop outreach strategies for a concerted and integrated "emergency preparedness" message within our diverse communities, with a focus on organizations that serve our elderly women and girls in vulnerable populations.

As of today’s date, I have continued conversations about the importance of a timely and strategic outreach strategy that provides multilingual capabilities to Limited English Proficiency (LEP) citizens and Additional Communications Needs (ACN) communities. We must continue to explore methods to reach economically disadvantaged women and young girls; and those who have additional communication, functional, and access needs; disabilities; and activity limitations. Many citizens have ambulatory, cognitive, and independent living limitations. We have many communities that have limited insurance or resources to self-recover and would benefit from strategic outreach strategies.

Through the years, Mr. Stanley and I maintained and enjoyed a professional relationship. He continuously encouraged my reconnection with IAEM and introduced me to Mr. John Laine in 2010. Mr. Laine and I shared informative conversations about diversity in emergency management and formed a partnership towards developing and presenting a discussion on this subject matter during IAEM’s annual conference.

In 2010 and 2011, we partnered and co-sponsored panel discussions during IAEM’s annual conferences, of which I have enjoyed and gained a wealth of knowledge.

In 2011, The International Network of Women in Emergency Management (inWEM) hosted its inaugural “International Women in Homeland Security and Emergency Management Hall of Fame” Induction Ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, in Las Vegas. The reception and ceremony were held in conjunction with the International Association of Emergency Manager’s (IAEM) 59th Annual Conference & EMEX 2011.

In conclusion, it has been a great honor and privilege to prepare and submit proposals to IAEM for panel discussions and articles for the IAEM Bulletin. As Founder of inWEM and the “International Women in Homeland Security and Emergency Management Hall of Fame”, I have embraced this rewarding experience and the partnership with IAEM. I look forward to ongoing participation in IAEM events. It has been one of the highlights of my annual activities; to witness the speakers’ high level of engagement with the participants and the hall of fame inductees’ appreciation.

2010

International Association of Emergency Managers 58th Annual Conference & EMEX Exhibit October 29 – November 4, 2010, at the Hilton Palacio del Rio and Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, Texas

International Network of Women in Emergency Management (inWEM)

INWEM’s participation at IAEM’s 2010 annual conference:

inWEM and the Diversity Focus Group co-hosted a “Women Leaders in Emergency Management” panel discussion on Monday, November 1, 2010, from 11 am-Noon. This discussion focused on the accomplishments and achievements of women as leaders in emergency management and the concerns and challenges of women in emergency management. Panelists discussed how emergency management professionals can raise their gender awareness and they shared lessons learned and best practices. In addition, panelists and attendees discussed approaches to integrating diversity (gender) into existing programs to improve our community culture of preparedness.

Moderators were Mr. John Laine and Dr. Jacqueline McBride, CPM, CVA, Independent Project Management Consultant and President of inWEM.

Panelists included Lynn Gilmore Canton, FEMA Regional Administrator for Region II, which encompasses New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands and Panelists include Lynn Gilmore Canton, FEMA Regional Administrator for Region II, which encompasses New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands and Jane

E. Rovins, Ph.D., CEM, FPEM, Executive Director of Integrated Research on Disaster Risk

Also, inWEM provided the results of our survey on the current status of women in emergency management during the "Women Leaders in Emergency Management" session.

2010

“Commitment to Diversity” Reception

Sponsored by Dewberry, LLC to recognize the contributions and commitment of EMPOWER and inWEM, a reception, “Commitment to Diversity”, was held during the International Association of Emergency Managers 58th Annual Conference on Tuesday, November 2, 2010, from 7:45, am to 8:45 am, El Mirador Room on the 22nd floor of the Hilton Palacio del Rio, San Antonio, TX. This reception also introduced the Diversity Focus Group and applauded their efforts to discuss the challenges of diversity and identify collaborative initiatives.

Also, we honored and recognized some of our women leaders at local, state, regional, tribal, and federal governments; critical infrastructure facilities; voluntary, faith, and community-based organizations; private and nonprofit sectors; academia; military; industry; and professional associations.

Honored trailblazers included, but not limited to Elizabeth Armstrong’s international leadership in emergency management…Dr. Elaine Enarson’s historic research on Gender and Disasters…Ms.

Kelly Discount’s vision with EMPOWER‘s initiative to partner with Girl Scouts… Ms. Carmelita Pope-Freeman’s significant outreach to vulnerable populations during Hurricane Katrina… Lisa Orloff’s leadership at the World Cares Center’s community resiliency programs…Nora O’Brien and E. Marcelle Penn Mathis’ leadership in building partnerships…Sarah K. Miller and No?l Francine Kepler’s creativity in social media strategies between women in emergency management.

2011

inWEM's participation at IAEM's 2011 Annual Conference:

The International Network of Women in Emergency Management (inWEM) hosted a panel discussion: Human Trafficking and Violence Against Women and Girls in the Aftermath of Disasters. This discussion was held in conjunction with the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM) Annual Conference. IAEM 59th Annual Conference & EMEX 2011, Nov. 12-17, 2011, on Monday, November 14th from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Every day, women and girls are victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, and more vulnerable in the aftermath of a disaster. Many are battered and sexual assaulted in transitional living accommodations. No matter the race, national origin, education, culture, wealth, age, religion or social standing, women, and girls may become victims. Those seeking a better life, unemployed or underemployed, or living in unstable homes, fall prey to human traffickers.

Scared, silent voices speak, “I am hopeless in disaster planning, survival is first”. The statistics needed to help emergency managers develop safe systems, plans, and services, are limited. How do we plan for 75% of women and children, who account for all displaced persons, many who are abused?

Moderator: Mr. John Laine, Member of inWEM’s Executive Committee and the Diversity Ad Hoc Committee Chairperson

Panelists:

Dr. Elaine Enarson, Independent Scholar, Lyons, Colorado

Dr. Jacqueline McBride-Jones, CPM, CVA, Independent Project Management Consultant, and Founder and President of inWEM.

The overarching conversation/discussions:

? What emergency managers can do to address gender violence and human trafficking in the aftermath of a disaster and why they should?

2011

The International Network of Women in Emergency Management (inWEM) hosted its inaugural “International Women in Homeland Security and Emergency Management Hall of Fame” Induction Ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, in Las Vegas. The reception and ceremony were held in conjunction with the International Association of Emergency Manager’s (IAEM) 59th Annual Conference & EMEX 2011.

The Homeland Security and Emergency Management Hall of Fame is inWEM’s first major initiative, honoring women who are pioneers and contemporary leaders in the fields of homeland security and emergency management in local, state, tribal, and federal governments. Women around the world have been innovators in critical infrastructure facilities; volunteer, faith, and community-based organizations; the private and nonprofit sectors; academia; the military; and private industry.

The inductees, divided into Pioneers (achievement prior to 1970) and Contemporary Achievers (1970-present,) were chosen because they have made outstanding achievements and significant contributions in the fields of homeland security and emergency management. They are professionals who have devoted careers to women's and girls' causes and community endeavors; and who motivate and inspire young women envisioning careers in homeland security and emergency management.

Dr. Jacqueline McBride, President of inWEM, said, “This award honors the contributions individuals have made in the advancement of women in emergency management and a culture of preparedness for safer, resilient, and sustainable diverse communities. Young girls and women around the world need to see and read about these ‘trailblazers’ - someone who reaches out and encourages them to one day follow their career path. Our future goal is to establish a permanent home. We will initially share and display information in a traveling exhibit for use by schools, colleges/universities, art centers, businesses and libraries throughout the world.”

The first Hall of Fame Inductees:

1865 – Catherine Booth and husband founded the Salvation Army

1906 - General Evangeline Booth started disaster relief services for The Salvation Army. Also, in 1934, she became the first female General of the Salvation Army.

1919 – Eglantyne Jebb, founded the Save the Children Fund, Jeanne-Aimee De Marrais, Director, Domestic Emergencies Unit, SC

1941 – First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt appointed Assistant Director; the “first woman in Homeland Security/Emergency Management” (formerly Civil Defense)

1950 - National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, Inc. (NACWC, Inc (formerly the National Federation of Colored Women and National Federation of Afro-American Women) participated in the first national “Women and Civil Defense” conference was held in Washington, DC. (President Evelyn Rising)

1981 - Dorothy J. Lewis, International Association of Emergency Managers’ lead liaison for governmental relations and second female President of IAEM

1990 – Margaret Brenda Verbeek, founded the Canadian Emergency Preparedness Association (CEPA), which became IAEM-Canada

1991 - Avagene Moore, emergency management trailblazer and 1987-1988 President of IAEM

1994 - Kay Goss, first female Associate Director of FEMA

1994 - Molly Grant, one of the first Native American females in emergency management

1994 - Rosalita Whitehair, one of the first Native American females in emergency management 1995 - Lynn Canton, first African American, female Regional Administrator of FEMA

1996 - Oluremi Olowu, the first Director of Nigeria's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)

2001 – Lisa Orloff, one of the first female founders of an international emergency management program

2001 – Elizabeth Davis one of the first female founders’ of an international emergency management program

2001 - Annie Searle, first female leader in the private sector/industry of emergency management

2002 - Rosemary Cloud, first female African-American Fire Chief

2005 - Susan Diehl-Brenits, first female project manager in emergency management at Con Edison

2005 – Kelly Discount founded EMPOWER, the first modern-day organization for women in emergency management

2010 - Carmen G. Rodriguez, the first female Fire Chief of the Puerto Rico Fire Department - Bomberos de Puerto Rico (BPR).