March 1, 2021

by Treava Hopkins-Laboy

Dear NIH,

In March 1980, during National Women's History Week (the preamble to Women's History Month), President Jimmy Carter used his platform to discuss how both men and women have worked together to build this great nation throughout the years. He stated, "Too often, the women were unsung, and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength, and love of the women who built America was as vital as the men whose names we know so well." This declaration still rings true today.

This year, the NIH Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion continues the tradition of celebrating all women. In every Institute and Center and every workforce area, women are working alongside men to build a great NIH. We are incredibly excited to celebrate those women who are leading the NIH through the current COVID-19 pandemic. We appreciate the long hours of dedicated work seeking to defeat this virus through the research and development of the COVID-19 vaccine that is making a difference in many Americans' lives. We are equally grateful for the architects of internal organizational systems that have allowed NIH staff members to continue working in various environments safely. We salute and send heartfelt thanks to those whose names we are familiar with and those of whom we may never know.

This year's Women's History Month campaign celebrates women leading our employees, contractors, patients, and our nation through and beyond the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic. We invite you to get acquainted with these women as they candidly discuss their roles at the NIH related to the COVID-19 response, their most significant challenges since the COVID-19 outbreak, and what they are most proud of thus far.

These women serve as fantastic examples of what is possible for others interested in learning what it takes to manage in a time of crisis. Let that their profiles serve as inspirations to all of us.

With Gratitude,

Treava Hopkins-Laboy
Acting Director
Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
National Institutes of Health

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