Wow Moment at Few's 49th National Training Program Conference

WOW moments rarely are things we forget and this year's HUD Agency Forum with the Federally Employed Women's (FEW) National Training Program in Atlanta was no different as HUD Southeast Regional Administrator Denise Cleveland-Leggett delivered a moving and inspirational message to the Widening Opportunities for Women W.O.W Chapter of FEW consisting of HUD employees from throughout the nation. FEW is a private non-profit organization consisting of 88 chapters throughout the country with over 1500 members attending the national training program designed to enhance opportunities for federally employed women.

"Inspite of the obstacles we all face in life each of us can and are difference makers not only in our own lives but also in the lives of those we serve," said Leggett. "As we commit ourselves to recognizing and valuing those we serve our lives are transformed, their lives are transformed, and we become more than ourselves...we become servant leaders."

John Benison, HUD Director - Office of Departmental Equal Employment Opportunity (ODEEO) provided opening remarks and expounded on the benefits of the new civility treatment training and how important it is to invest on the training for both personal and professional reasons.

The days interactive training consisted of career development, work - life balance, financial management, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and concluding with a panel discussion on "Be the Total You" and closing remarks by Tonya Prior Watson, W.O.W. Chapter President.

Widening Opportunities for Women (W.O.W.) is a chapter of Federally Employed Women (FEW) and a private, non-profit organization chartered in July 2008. W.O.W. works toward the advancement of women in federal service by encouraging diversity and equity in the workplace, enhancing career opportunities, establishing and maintaining relationships with organizations to advocate the fair application of laws, policies, procedures and practices, improving the quality of life for women by influencing legislative actions and committing to maintain a unified and diverse membership and providing opportunities for professional growth.

W.O.W. assists HUD leadership develop and maintain a vital and effective workforce by providing employees with opportunities to appreciate and celebrate people from all races, creeds, colors, gender, sexual orientation and physical and mental abilities through engaging in activities that are designed to result in the development of a work environment that is conducive to the employee's best performance in accordance with the Agency's values and goals.

FEW is a private, non-profit organization founded in 1968 shortly after government issued Executive Order 11375 which added sex-discrimination to the list of prohibited discrimination within the Federal Government. FEW works to ensure that there will always be an organization dedicated to promoting equality for women and addressing concerns of women in the Federal workforce. As a private organization, FEW works as an advocacy group to improve the status of women employed by the Federal government. This includes contact with Congress to encourage progressive legislation.

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