March - Women's History Month

Dear Colleagues,

The Kansas City VA joins the Nation in commemorating Women’s History Month this March by celebrating the achievements of women and their contributions to our Nation’s history. The National Women’s History Alliance (NWHA) petitioned for the 1987 congressional designation of March as Women’s History Month. This year the NWHA will be celebrating Women’s History Month with a theme of “Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to be Silenced.”  

Women, sometimes at the risk of their careers and personal life, speak up for themselves to promote real change in the world. From the voting rights movement continuing through today with #MeToo, a social movement against abuse and harassment.  

Women have made tremendous strides since obtaining the right to vote. We celebrate the accomplishments of all women including the election of our Nation’s first female Vice President. We also join civic organizations and the general public in honoring the work of contemporary women leaders such as Eleanor Holmes Norton, U.S. representative of District of Columbia; Marie Foster, nicknamed “mother of the voting rights movement”; and Dr. Mabel Ping-Hua Lee, a Chinese advocate for the women’s suffrage movement in the United States.  

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, women have faced many additional challenges such as balancing childcare and work-life balance and feeling increased burnout. The Bureau of Labor Statistics highlighted how women have been more heavily affected by the current economic toll caused by the pandemic. During heavy December job losses, women accounted for most job losses in fields such as education, hospitality and retail. The Women in the Workplace report by McKinsey and LeanIn revealed that women increasingly experienced burnout and felt less comfortable sharing these challenges with colleagues and managers. VA has many resources for both women and men in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including VA Whole Health and programs offered by the VA Worklife and Benefits Service such as the Employee Assistance Program and Childcare Subsidy Program.  

As of December 31, 2020, women represent 61.29% of the overall VA workforce, 11.83% above the National Relevant Civilian Labor Force (RCLF) benchmark of 49.46%. Women are already above the benchmark of the National RCLF and have increased representation from 60.62% on September 30, 2019 to 61.29% on December 31, 2020. Including both permanent and temporary employees, women Veterans comprise 14.65% of VA’s women employees. By administration, women make up 36.90% of VA Central Office, 50.04% of the Veterans Benefits Administration, 63.25% of the Veterans Health Administration and 22.35% of the National Cemetery Administration. In VA’s leadership pipeline (GS-12 through GS-14), women hold 64.36% of those positions. Though women are well-represented in the leadership pipeline, women have less than expected representation in holding 40.56% of VA’s executive leadership positions (GS-15 and Senior Executive Service positions).  

This month, we also honor women Veterans. In the 2021 Women Veterans Trailblazer Initiative 2.0, the Center for Women Veterans (CWV) highlights women Veteran trailblazers around the Nation. CWV defines a woman Veteran trailblazer as a woman who has served and separated from the service and makes an impact by enhancing the lives of other Veterans, Veteran families or Veteran caregivers. Areas where women Veterans may have made an impact can include education, employment, entrepreneurship, homelessness, legal areas and mental health and wellness. CWV also features women Veteran authors on their website through their Women Veterans Book Corner. Visit the CWV website for more information about these and other initiatives. 

I encourage all KCVA leaders and colleagues to organize activities targeted at raising awareness, increasing knowledge and addressing any identified barriers to the full employment and inclusion of women in VA. For more information about Women’s History Month, contact Lesley Andrews, KCVA EEO Manager or Krystal Kemp, KCVA Federal Women’s Program Manager. For more information on VA’s National Federal Women’s Program, visit the VA FWP page on the ORMDI Web site. 

KCVA’s workforce is comprised of 66% of women, this consists of all ethnic, racial, LGBTQ employees throughout our medical campus and associated VA clinics.

KCVA Leadership (specifically):

• 6 of the 8 Executive Leaders are female (75%)
• 14 of the 28 Service Chiefs are female. (50%)
• 8 of the 8 Associate Chief Nurses are female. (100%)

Throughout the month, and every day of the year, we at KCVA celebrate America’s women – our Veterans, our VA colleagues, those who have served, those who are serving – and everyone who will surely serve in future generations. Please take a moment to thank a women Veteran in your life.

DAVID ISAACKS, FACHE