NWS Women and Leadership

2009 Diversity and Leadership Conference

In the Corporate World… Women comprise about 50% of the

workforce Yet only 15% - 20% of Fortune 500

companies have females in their top two tiers of leadership

2007 NWS Percentages

Total NWS

GS-05 GS-06 GS-07 GS-08 GS-09 GS-10 GS-11 GS-12 GS-13 GS-14 GS-15 SES0.00

10.00

20.00

30.00

40.00

50.00

60.00

70.00

80.00

90.00

100.00

National Weather Service Gender Demographics

MalesFemales

Grade

Perc

enta

ge o

f Gra

de

2007 NWS Percentages

GS-13 GS-14 GS-15 SES0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

NWS Leadership Gender Demogeraphics

MalesFemales

Grade

Perc

enta

ge in

Gra

de

Why do the numbers look this way?

“Glass Ceiling”?› A figurative limit based on attitudinal or

organizational bias in the work force that prevents women from advancing to leadership positions

Lack of women entering science careers?› Women intimidated by male dominated

career? Discrimination?

Why do the numbers look this way?

Women seeking leadership roles in the NWS must overcome many obstacles…1. Stereotypes of gender roles

Leadership and Careers2. Discrimination3. Lack of Mentors4. Obligations to family

Stereotypes - Leadership

Men› Take charge› Aggressive › Powerful› Impervious

Women› Take care› Passive › Gentle› Emotional

Past Leadership Traits› Assertive› In Control› All Business› Efficient

Present-Day Leadership Traits› Inclusive› About Relationships› Effective

Stereotypes - Careers Men

› Doctors› Meteorologists› Engineers› Physicists› Mathematicians› IT Specialists

Women› Teachers › Nurses› Interior Designers› Secretaries

Women and Science Don’t Mix “I want to speak to a

weather MAN!”› People surprised to

hear woman meteorologist when they call

Project Implicit› Gender-Science

Implicit Association Test

› 72% Show at least some bias

More NWS Numbers

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

80.00%

90.00%

100.00%

NWS Percentages of Em-ployees in Scientific Fields

MalesFemales

1340 1301 1315 22100.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

80.00%

90.00%

100.00%

NWS Percentages by Scientific Series

MalesFemales

Do the stereotypes dictate reality or does reality dictate the stereotypes?

Nature vs. Nurture Are these stereotypical traits learned or

born innately in us?› Our environment or the “Nurture” aspect

plays a large role in what we see as “normal”

Implicit biases and stereotypical ideals can be changed…

Discrimination Rampant in the 60s and 70s, and still

prominent in the 80s and early 90s Legislation has been passed to prevent

› Equal Pay Act 1963 – equal pay for women› Civil Rights Act of1964 – prohibits

employment discrimination on basis of sex› Equal Rights Amendment 1972 – equal

rights for men and women› Pregnancy and Discrimination Act 1974› Family and Medical Leave Act 1993

Discrimination Less prominent, but still exists

› Federal Government instilled diversity action plans/initiatives to monitor numbers of female employees

Subtle, almost impossible to prove Women against women

› Women in competition with other women Male dominated fields

› “Queen Bee” tries to keep other women out

› Hold other women to higherexpectations

No Leaders to Follow There are women out there that have

“made it”, however… Severe shortage of female mentors

› In college› Early in career› Even in high school

No cultivation of female leaders

Family and Home Life Women bear the

load of the home…› Family or career?

Shift work Many women choose

family› Mobility Issues› NWS Couples

0.00%

0.50%

1.00%

1.50%

2.00%

2.50%

3.00%

3.50%

4.00%

4.50%

5.00%

Percentages of NWS Resignations by Gender

MalesFemales

Where do we go from here? Stereotypes

› Roles are changing…stereotypes must follow› Be mindful of those hidden biases

Discrimination› Fight the urge to become a “Queen Bee”› Avoid reverse discrimination

Become fearful of discriminating Tend to overcompensate and end up

discriminating against men Women want EQUAL consideration, not a

handout!

Where do we go from here? Lack of Mentors

› Seek out a mentor/Be a mentor› Develop formal mentoring programs

High school students College Students Young entry-level employees

Where do we go from here? *Family*

› Things are changing…men and women are sharing responsibilities Women feeling less pressured to choose

› Job Sharing One full-time job shared by two people Can help retention of employees Can save wasted money and time spent on

training› Alternative Work Schedules

More flexibility› Childcare/babysitting programs/networks

To Sum It All Up… The “Glass Ceiling” does not apply to the

NWS› Obstacles exist at every level, not just the top

To recruit and retain female employees, the NWS must› Educate young women about careers in

science – MENTORS!› Be mindful of the unique obstacles facing

women› Be flexible and innovative to help women get

around the obstacles

NWS Female Leaders Say… Make opportunities for yourself Take opportunities when offered

› Be a “Yes woman” Especially early in career Allows for the occasional “No”

Find a mentor› “You can’t be what you can’t see.” – Marian

Wright Edelman Be a pioneer

› Don’t be afraid to be the first to do something

NWS Female Leaders Say… Build relationships – network

› Modern leadership principles emphasize the importance of relationships

Don’t become a “Queen Bee”› Help other women to succeed

Find ways to adapt› Science fields today are still, in general,

male-dominated› Until things change, we must adapt

Resources The 2007 NWS EEO Status Report

www.weather.gov/eeo The Leadership Lid by Anna Quindlen,

October 13, 2008 issue of Newsweek www.newsweek.com/id/162265

Women and Leadership: The Delicate Balancing Act by Hillary M. Lipswww.womensmedia.com

Resources 21st Century Women’s Leadership by

Shifra Bonznick and Didi Goldenharwww.thewhitehouseproject.org

Equality in the Workplace – Can Women Break the Glass Ceiling? By Nikki Katzwww.associatedcontent.com

Special Thanks to: Gena Morrison, Nezette Rydell, Aimee Devaris, Brooke Binghaman, Noreen Schwine, and Mike Coyne

Contact InformationBrandi Richardson

WFO Shreveport, LA318-636-7345

Brandi.Richardson@noaa.gov