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DWD EMPLOYEE RECEIVES VIRGINIA HART AWARD | |||
DWD EMPLOYEE RECEIVES VIRGINIA HART AWARDMadison - Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Roberta Gassman presented the Virginia Hart Award to Karen Morgan in the Senate Parlor at the Capitol today. The award recognizes "unsung heroines" in state service, and is meant to provide encouragement and recognition to all women in state government. "Due to Karen's hard work and determination in the state's apprenticeship program, the number of apprentices increased by 54 percent," said Secretary Gassman. "In addition, her abilities as a leader and an innovator, as well as continually pushing to more effectively and efficiently deliver services to Wisconsin's citizens, embodies the qualities needed to receive this prestigious award." Karen Morgan, currently employed at DWD in the Division of Workforce Solutions as the Apprenticeship Bureau Director, has been a state employee for 32 years. During her professional career she revamped the delivery system in the Unemployment Insurance division, making it easier and more cost-effective for people to file unemployment claims. She also increased the number of apprentices in Wisconsin and increased the participation rate for minorities and females in the Apprenticeship program. Because of these accomplishments her present and past co-workers including business associates from the U.S. Department of Labor nominated her for the Virginia Hart Award. The award is named after Virginia Hart who served as Secretary of the Department of Regulation and Licensing, Chairperson of the Commission for the Department of Industry, Labor, and Human Relations (now DWD), and Chairperson of the Labor and Industry Review Commission. Upon her retirement in 1983, a Virginia Hart Award fund was established on behalf of her friends and colleagues so that each year a woman in Wisconsin State Service could be recognized for exemplary performance. The award recognizes contributions to the citizens of the State of Wisconsin by women in state government -- women whose contributions to clients, co-workers or the public may not be highly visible but are nonetheless substantial. Division of Administrative Services |
