Skip Header wisconsin.gov home        state agencies        subject directory

Search DWD Website

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development		Call Us For Help | About DWD | News | Documents | Sitemap

 

We've got NEWS

Thursday, February 24, 2000 Governor Tommy G. Thompson Secretary Linda Stewart

News Media Contact Heidi Kafura 608/264-6811 e-mail: news@dwd.state.wi.us fax: 608/266-1784

GOVERNOR RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD
for his achievements and role in assisting women to excel

MADISON—Gov. Tommy G. Thompson will be the nation’s only governor to receive the Excellence in Leadership Award from Women Executives in State Government (WESG) on Friday, Feb. 25, in Washington DC.  The award recognizes his achievements in promoting women in the public and private sectors.

Julienne Nelson, Executive Director of Women Executives in State Government said, "The selection team was very impressed with Gov. Thompson’s exemplary leadership and outstanding achievements in state government, his innovative and creative solutions to the challenges facing government and his role in assisting women to excel."

The non-profit, nonpartisan leadership organization will honor Gov. Thompson for his ongoing effort to appoint women to his administration, show leadership though policy directives and legislative proposals which eliminate barriers to advancement, and ensure women are able to climb the career ladder.

"I am honored to received this award from an organization that is committed to excellence in state government and helping women succeed," Gov. Thompson said.  "By developing innovative and creative partnerships and spurring action to enhance employment opportunities for women, we are creating a stronger, more competitive economy."

Thompson was the first governor in the nation to form a Glass Ceiling Commission and the first to initiate an awards program to honor businesses for their efforts to break the glass ceiling.  He has also hired more women in high-level positions in state government than any other governor in state history. Gov. Thompson:

• has appointed more women and minorities to state judgeships than any other governor in Wisconsin history.
   
• appointed the first Hispanic woman judge, the second female Supreme Court Justice and the state’s first Native American District Attorney.
   
• was ranked third among the nation’s governors, and first among GOP governors for the number of women appointed to Cabinet-level positions, according to the National Women’s Political Caucus.
   
• increased the number of women in senior executive positions in state government by 192 percent.
   
• increased the number of female department heads, directors, division chiefs and superintendents by 42 percent.

In addition, women accounted for 56 percent of all new hires in state government in 1998, greater than their 47 percent representation in the total labor force.  And, nine of his current cabinet members and agency heads are women.

Department of Workforce Development Secretary Linda Stewart, who nominated Gov. Thompson for the award added,  "Gov. Thompson has been a tireless national leader in developing initiatives to help women succeed in life and in the workplace.  He has been a leader in all respects, encouraging the public and private sector to consider the common sense advantages of providing career opportunities for women.  His leadership has and will continue to have a positive impact on all Wisconsin workers."

(end)

News Release Index Page

  

Wisconsin.gov | Site Map | Search | Accessibility | Legal | Feedback | DWD Home