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USDA Observes National Women's History Month and Acknowledges USDA Women Who Moved History Forward

On March 1, 2007, USDA held the opening celebration of Women's History Month in the Jefferson Auditorium in Washington, DC.

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Annabelle Romero gave the opening remarks. Ms. Romero acknowledged women at USDA, present and past, who have moved history forward. USDA made history in 2001 when President Bush appointed Ann Veneman as the first woman Secretary of Agriculture. Several appointments of women to key positions have been made at USDA since then. Appointments of women in the Staff Offices include Terri Teuber, Director of Communications and Nicol Andrews, Deputy Director; Inspector General Phyllis Fong and Kathleen Tighe, Deputy Inspector General; and Patricia Healy, Deputy Chief Financial Officer. As Under Secretaries, Assistant Secretaries and Deputies, Secretary Johanns has appointed Nancy Montanez Johner, Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services and Kate Coler, Deputy Under Secretary; Linda Strachan, Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations; and Ellen Terpstra, Deputy Under Secretary for the Farm and Foreign Agricultural Service.

USDA made history again when Ms. Margo McKay was appointed by President Bush as the first woman Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights in August 2006. Annabelle Romero is the first woman Deputy Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

Women also hold the number one and number two leadership positions in several USDA agencies. Among this group of distinguished leaders are Colien Hefferan, Administrator, Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service; Katherine Smith, Administrator, Economic Research Service; Teresa Lasseter, Administrator, Farm Service Agency; Abigail Kimbell, Chief of the Forest Service; Dana York, Associate Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service; and Sally Collins, Associate Chief of the Forest Service.

At USDA, women comprise 44 percent (44,198) of our total permanent employee workforce (99,756). In her remarks, Ms. Romero said "As proud as we are of USDA's progress in women holding key leadership roles, we are mindful of the need to do more and to remain focused on increasing the representation of women at all levels in the workforce. In keeping with this year's theme, "Generations of Women Moving History Forward," we see increased leadership roles for women at USDA as an opportunity to create a workplace with a greater appreciation for diversity."