History - FAA Technical Women`s Organization

TECHNICAL WOMEN’S
ORGANIZATION
HISTORY
In November, 1984 Maureen Beharelle (Clark) and Laura O’Malley sent surveys to
several female technicians in order to determine if there was interest in forming a support group
for women technicians in Airway Facilities. The purpose for the group would be to provide
information regarding changes in the technical field, problem solving, and generally to discuss
various aspects in the technical field.
October, 1986: The first newsletter for technical women was written.
January, 1987: Abby Call (Correll) became the (no-name) newsletter editor.
August, 1987: Names for the newsletter and support group were submitted and voted on
by the women receiving the newsletter. Cathy Hedglen submitted the selected name for the
support group and Maureen Beharelle submitted the selected name for the newsletter. Abby Call
submitted the selected logo. The support group became known as the TECHNICAL WOMEN’S
ORGANIZATION and the newsletter became THE CIRCUIT.
Mid--1987: The following electronics technicians and electrical/civil engineers in
Airway Facilities volunteered for the Technical Women’s Organization offices.
Gerry Morgan------President
Marie Meyer-------Vice President
Vianne Fowler-----Secretary
Clarissa Holland---Treasurer
The following electronics technicians and electrical/civil engineers volunteered for the regional
representative positions.
Barbara Silva--------Southwest/Alaskan Region
Candy Close---------Great Lake Region
Karen Hammond----Eastern/New England/Headquarters Region
Carolyn Empey------Northwest Mountain Region
Gerry Morgan-------Southern Region
Cathy Hedglen-------FAA Academy
Betsy Titherington---Western Pacific Region
Abby Call-------------Central Region
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1988 TWO Conference
October 7-9, 1988: The first Technical Women’s Organization development conference
was held in Washington Headquarters Civil Rights Office with the assistance of George Gordon,
Pat Webster, and Linda Dimon from Civil Rights. The following women wrote the Constitution
and Bylaws and became Charter Members of the Technical Women’s Organization: Abby Call,
Vianne Fowler, Karen Hammond, Clarissa Holland, Marie Meyer, Barbara Silva, and
Betsy Titherington. TWO became recognized under the auspices of Civil Rights because TWO
represented the focus of an employee group whose members were not represented by any other
employee group (i.e., minority women/women in the technical workfield).
The many women who volunteered for representative positions for TWO who could not
attend the first conference were acknowledged for their support. They remained as TWO
representatives and a few changes were made for the offices listed below.
Abby Call------------------President
Marie Meyer--------------Vice President
Vianne Fowler------------Secretary
Clarissa Holland----------Treasurer
Barbara Silva-------------Editor of The Circuit
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The TWO logo was defined as follows: The triangle represents a communication antenna which
symbolizes the technical career fields, such as electronics technicians, flight certification
specialists, inspectors, civil and electrical engineers. The circle symbolizes the unity of these
career fields through TWO. The silhouette represents the membership and the airplane
symbolizes our purpose and our dreams.
Technical Women’s Organization Creed: We, as members of Technical Women’s
Organization, vow to provide support, promote understanding, and create a climate of
cooperation between professionals in technical fields for the purpose of aviation safety.
Technical Women’s Organization Mission: To increase the number of qualified women
in Technical fields and to maximize the contributions of Technical women in the FAA.
An Active member is any FAA employee who is or has been involved with the
installation, maintenance, certification and/or inspection of elements related to the National
Airspace System.
An Associate member is any person interested in the activities of the organization.
Membership dues were initiated in order to support the organization.
October 4-6, 1989: The second TWO conference was held in San Diego, California.
TWO official colors became blue, black, and gold. Goals of the organization were established.
Some of the 1989-1990 objectives were: establish an educational stipend, obtain corporate
memberships, increase involvement on selection panels, and contact other divisions for
memberships.
The 1989-1990 officers were:
Abby Call -----------------President
Marie Meyer--------------Vice President
Vianne Fowler------------Secretary
Clarissa Holland----------Treasurer
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In January of 1990 Marie Meyer became president of the Technical Women’s
Organization when Abby Call resigned from the position.
June 12-16, 1990: TWO conference in Arlington, Texas. Committees were established
and each committee chairperson was to provide a semiannual report to the president. Dues
were increased from $24.00 to $36.00 beginning July, 1991.
The 1990-1991 officers were:
Marie Meyer-------------President
Viannne Fowler---------Secretary
Clarissa Holland--------Treasurer
The Vice President’s position remained vacant until the elections of 1991-1992.
June 24-27, 1991: TWO convention in Chicago, Illinois. Marie Meyer was unable to
attend the convention and Nancy Holston was Acting Vice President of TWO for the conference
in Chicago before the new Vice President took office.
The 1991-1992 officers were:
Barbara Silva-------------President
Nancy Holston-----------Vice President
Bernadine Molen--------Secretary
Clarissa Holland---------Treasurer
June 20, 1992: TWO became incorporated
June 22-26, 1992: TWO convention “Success Through Diversity” was held in Atlanta,
Georgia.
The 1992-1993 officers were:
Barbara Silva---------------President
LeAnne Robbins-----------Vice President
Bernadine Molen----------Secretary
Clarissa Holland-----------Treasurer
September, 1992 Each board member polled their respective members and the majority
agreed to a dues increase of $52.00 for Active members and $26.00 for Associate members.
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1993 TWO Executive Board
June 21-25, 1993: TWO conference “Moving in T.W.O. the 21st Century” was held in
Denver, Colorado
The 1993-1994 officers were:
Bernadine Molen-----------President
Le Anne Robbins----------Vice President
Cathy Hedglen-------------Secretary
Clarissa Holland-----------Treasurer
June 23, 1993: The first TWO Scholarships were awarded to Janet Mayfield, an Airway
Facilities electronics technician.
October, 1993: TWO changed the definition of active membership to include all
technical fields within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The definition of associate
membership was also changed.
Active member--Any FAA employee who is or has been involved with the design,
installation, maintenance, certification, operation, and/or inspection of any element of the
NAS.
Associate member--Any person who supports the mission and goals of the Technical
Women’s Organization.
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1994 TWO Executive Board
June 28-30, 1994: TWO training conference “Waves of the Future” was held in Cape
Cod, Massachusetts
The 1994-1995 officers were:
Bernadine Molen----------President
Sylvia Meyer--------------Vice President
Cathy Hedglen------------Secretary
Jean Needham-------------Treasurer
June 29, 1994: TWO scholarships were awarded to Dannette Giles, Vera Smith, and
Edith May.
December 13, 1994: TWO became exempt from Federal taxes. The exemption
application and supporting documents along with the exemption letter are available for
public inspection. To view the documents please write TWO at the following address.
Technical Women’s Organization
6905 S. 1300 E. #124
Midvale UT 84047
May, 1995: TWO joined WIAonline, Women in Aviation International. On the
CompuServe Information Service, WIAonline features organizational information, career
information, job listing, individual communications and group conferencing.
June 27-29, 1995: TWO conference “Moving into a Century of Diversity” was held in
Washington, DC. At this conference Clarissa A. Holland was appointed the official historian of
the Technical Women’s Organization. In the past the secretary kept all historical information.
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Also at this conference Cathy Hedglen started making dolls that represented the conference
location. The dolls are raffled off to support the Matching Funds Program. This program allows
members to seek reimbursement for some of their travel expenses to attend the conference.
Cathy Hedglen, Jean Needham, Bernadine Molen and Sylvia Meyer
The 1995-1996 officers were:
Bernadine Molen-----------President
Sylvia Meyer---------------Vice President
Cathy Hedglen-------------Secretary
Jean Needham-------------Treasurer
June 28, 1995: TWO scholarships were awarded to Janet Mayfield and Roxanne
Henderson
June 16-18, 1996: TWO conference “We can achieve anything TWO-gether” was held in
San Antonio. Texas.
June 18, 1996: TWO scholarships were awarded to Kelly Kohrs, Lori Vander Linden,
Vered Lovett, and Thomas Schmidt.
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1996 TWO Executive Board
The 1996-1997 officers were:
Bernadine B. Molen--------President
Clarissa A Holland---------Vice President
Cathy Hedglen---------------Secretary
Gloria Quigg-----------------Treasurer
March, 13-15 1997: TWO joined with Women in Aviation at their annual conference
“On Wings of Change” in Dallas, Texas. TWO’s Mentoring Program was kicked off at this
conference.
The 1997-1998 officers were:
Cathy Hedglen----------------- President
Clarissa Holland---------------Vice President
Mary Thomas------------------ Secretary
Gloria Quigg------------------- Treasurer
March, 1997: TWO scholarships were awarded to Dee Ann Tasler, Lisa Bercher, Carol
Bolay, and Holly Perkins
June 22-26, 1998: TWO’s ten year anniversary conference “Ten Years of Technical
Excellence” was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
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The 1998-1999 officers were:
Cathy Hedglen----------------- President
Clarissa Holland---------------Vice President
Mary Thomas------------------- Secretary
Julie St. George---------------- Treasurer
June, 1998: TWO scholarships were awarded to Brigitte Craig, Robertha Walley, Dale
Rhoads, Tracey Hallett, and Jennifer Kurt.
June 29-July 1, 1999: TWO’s training conference “Positive Leadship for the Year 2000”
was held in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Cathy’s Indianapolis Doll
The 1999-2000 officers were
Cathy Hedglen---------------- President
Clarissa Holland--------------Vice President
Mary Thomas-----------------Secretary
Deborah Cervantes---------- Treasurer
June 29, 1999: TWO Scholarships were awarded to Nina Agrawal, Joan Busch, Laura
Helm, Esther Stepansky and Holly Perkins.
December, 1999: TWO changed the definition of Active membership. The definition of
Associate membership was not changed.
A Full Member is an FAA employee who is or has, or has had, as a part of FAA
employment, direct responsibility over the design, installation, maintenance, certification,
operation or inspection of the following, or portion thereof: the National Airspace System,
aircraft or airports.
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2000 TWO Executive Board
June 27-29, 2000: TWO's training conference "Millennium Celebration: Opportunities
and Challenges in Diversity" was held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The 2000-2001 officers were
Cathy Hedglen------------------ President
Deborah Cervantes------------Vice President
Mary Thomas ------------------ Secretary
Vicki Richard------------------- Treasurer
June 27, 2000 TWO Scholarships were awarded to Samantha Silvers, Brigit Gandy,
Thembi Ndlovu-Hickey, Andrea Houston, and Michelle Sites
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Mary M. Thomas with one of her quilts
June, 2000 Mary M. Thomas started making quilts for the Silent Auction to support the
Matching Funds Program. This program allows members to seek reimbursement for some of
their travel expenses to attend the conference.
April 22-26, 2001 TWO training conference “A Measure of Success” was held in
Memphis, TN with WAI.
The 2001 TWO Scholarships were awarded to Bernadette Ohlemacher, Cheryl Wortham,
Cassandra Jackson, Patrick McQueen, and Jered Lease.
The 2001-2002 officers were
Mary Thomas---------------- President
Deborah Cervantes---------- Vice President
Susy Peasley----------------- Secretary
Vicki Richard---------------- Treasurer
May 1 – May 3, 2002 TWO training conference “Explore New Frontier” was held in
Anchorage, Alaska with PWC.
The 2002 TWO Scholarships were awarded to Elizabeth Doucette, Julia Oyewo, Karla
Harkey, Marilyn Tomko, and Jeff Peters.
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2002 TWO Executive Board
The 2002-2003 officers were
Mary Thomas---------------- President
Deborah Cervantes--------- Vice President
Susy Peasley----------------- Secretary
Vicki Richard----------------Treasurer
June, 2003 TWO training conference “Our Role in a Time of Crisis” was held in Orlando,
Florida with the National Coalition for Federal Aviation Administration Employees with
Disabilities (NCFAED)
The 2003 TWO Scholarships were awarded to Annie Brettman, Ramone Crowe, Julia
Doherty and Cordy Wheeler.
The 2003-2004 officers were
Marcia Corey ----------------- President
Deborah Cervantes------------ Vice President
Bernadette Ohlemacher------- Secretary
Vicki Richard------------------ Treasurer
March 9-11, 2004 TWO training conference “Aviation 101: Challenges in the 101st Year
of Flight” was held in Reno, Nevada in conjunction with the WAI conference.
The 2004 TWO Scholarship was awarded to Laurie Jane Jessup.
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2004 TWO Executive Board
The 2004-2005 officers were
Marcia Corey------------------Mary Ann Keller--------------Bernadette Ohlemacher------Vicki Richard-------------------
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
In October of 2004 Marcia Corey retired and Mary Ann Keller became President. Susy
Peasley became Vice President.
June 20-24, 2005 TWO training conference “Ascension Towards Success…” was held in
Albuquerque, New Mexico.
June, 2005 TWO Scholarships were awarded to Cordy Wheeler, Annie Brettman,
Thomas Martin, and Sharon Bauch
The 2005-2006 officers were
Mary Ann Keller-------------Susy Peasley------------------Sheryl Matthew--------------Brenda Singh-----------------Beverly Anderson------------
President
Vice President
Secretary (June-December)
Secretary (Remainder of Term)
Treasurer
June 26-29, 2006 TWO training conference “Show Me the Steps to a Great Career” was
held in Kansas City with NCFAED.
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2006 Conference Committee
June, 2006 TWO Scholarships was awarded to Sarah Goldfarb.
The 2006 - 2007 officers were
Mary Ann Keller-------------Susy Peasley------------------Brenda Singh-----------------Beverly Anderson-------------
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
September 5-7, 2007 TWO training conference “Surfing the Tides of Change” was held
in San Diego, CA.
September, 2007 TWO Scholarships were awarded to Nicole Nelson, Michelle Jackson,
Leslee Danley, Christina Mergenthal, and Adrian Hardin.
The 2007 – 2008 officers were
Emily Godinet ---------------Susy Peasley-----------------Eva Pueschel-----------------Beverly Anderson------------
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
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2007 TWO Executive Board
August 5-7, 2008 TWO will co-sponsor a training conference with the National Asian
Pacific American (NAPA) Association in New York City, NY. TWO will be celebrating their
20th Anniversary with the conference theme, “TWO Turns Twenty: The Journey of Excellence
Continues."
August, 2008 TWO Scholarships are awarded to Candice McHargue, Stephanie Johnson,
and Stefanie Kersten.
The 2008 – 2009 officers are
Emily Godinet ---------------- President
Cindy Lundberg------------------ Vice President
Eva Pueschel------------------ Secretary
Brenda Smith-Keene--------- Treasurer
One thing we are very, very proud of within TWO is the development of the TWO
Mentoring Program that has evolved into the nationwide program you and others see today. Our
Mentoring program started in 1994. TWO members in the Headquarters Airway Facilities (AF)
Training Division -- Technical Operations for you new folks -- mentored folks around the
Washington Headquarters area in 1997. In that year alone there were 40 AF mentees who signed
up. Airway Facility offered their financial support. The following year TWO decided that
mentees would benefit from cross-organizational exposure, so employees from other
organizations were invited to join (Airports, Security, etc...). Again, Airway Facility offered their
financial support and the program continued to expand.
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TWO looked for our Mentor/Mentee Program to be a 'give back to the FAA' project. As
our program continued to grow, TWO Executive board members called upon their working
relationships with both FAA Administrator Jane Garvey and Marion Blakey. Seeing the positive
effect of the program, both Ms. Garvey and Ms. Blakey funded TWO's Mentor/Mentee Program.
Because of TWO's faith and the faith of the FAA Administration we have a successful, awardwinning program that is benefiting not only the FAA's employees, but the FAA as well!
In 2002 the TWO President invited the Professional Women's Controller (PWC)
President the opportunity to provide their local Headquarter's PWC members the benefits of
TWO's Mentor/Mentee program. Afterward PWC merged with the TWO Headquarter‘s
Mentoring program. Hence, the TWO/PWC Mentoring Program name evolved.
2004 Mentorship Group
The Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Commission regulatory requirement
authorizes the Federal Aviation Administration use employee groups and committees as a means
to further the objectives of EEO programs. As a result, the Technical Women’s Organization
was given support to ensure appropriate consideration in the FAA’s EEO and Affirmative Action
activities. TWO was recognized as a Special Emphasis Group in 1988.
The Technical Women’s Organization, now an Employee Association (EA) within the
FAA, has become a voice for the technical women in the FAA. Meeting quarterly in Washington
DC with AHR-1 and ACR-1 co-chairing, the EA Presidents meet to discuss a variety of topics.
Known as the National Employee Forum, the purpose of these meetings are to support Diversity
efforts and to address other concerns of our collective membership. These concerns fall in the
categories of recruitment, training, and organizational changes. During the two-day forum,
briefings from Vice-Presidents and Directors of ATO and other LOBs occur. TWO has assisted
in the development of regional Sexual Harassment Helpline, Diversity Plans, and Mentoring
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Programs. TWO has served on selection panels, served as information for career advancement,
assisted in FAA recruitment and assisted in rewriting FAA Orders. TWO has also sat in on
quarterly Regional Management Team (RMT) meetings.
TWO’s newsletter, The Circuit, is published quarterly and a membership directory is
published annually, which enhances networking capabilities to our members. Training,
networking, mentoring, and information dissemination are the integral part of our annual
conferences typically held the last full week of June.
For more information about Technical Women’s Organization contact any of the
TWO Officers or Regional Representatives located on the TWO website:
http://www.technicalwomen.org
August, 2008
Clarissa A. Holland
TWO Historian
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