March is the month we celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of women across the country for their contributions to society. As we celebrate the whole woman, we recognize a healthy and cohesive workforce is necessary to fulfill any mission. I invite you to join the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion this month as we celebrate the contributions of women to the NIH workforce.

This year, we recognize our director, Dr. Francis Collins, as EDI's Change Agent for women here at the NIH. In 2019, Dr. Collins took a decisive stance on the value of women in the scientific workforce when he formally announced he would no longer sit on panels where women or other underrepresented groups are not represented. Dr. Collins' forward-thinking example and introspective view challenges and leads the charge for change at the NIH and beyond. Women in all of the career fields at the NIH should be encouraged by Dr. Collins.

When we recognize change can start at any time, by any person, each of us can be empowered to take a stand for creating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive work environment. This is what motivated great women like Dr. Ruth Kirschstein, the first woman to direct a NIH institute, and Dr. Vivian Pinn, the first director of the Office of Research on Women's Health, to inspire, mentor, and encourage many women at the NIH as they worked to advance their careers.

With renewed vision, EDI is committed to not only identifying barriers women experience in the workplace, but identifying solutions that will eliminate disparities experienced by women and other underrepresented groups in our workforce.

I invite you to join EDI this month as we observe Women's History Month with "The Whole Woman 2020 Vision Workshop", featuring Director of ORWH, Janine A. Clayton, M.D. on March 10 in Wilson Hall (Building 1) from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Individuals with disabilities who need Sign Language Interpreters and/or reasonable accommodations to participate in this event should contact EDI's Women's Special Emphasis Portfolio Strategist, Joy Postell Gaines at joy.gaines@nih.gov, 301.451.9662 and/or the Federal Relay (1-800-877-8339).

Sincerely yours,

Debra Chew, Esq.
EDI Director

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