Federal Woman's Award Explained

The Federal Woman's Award, also known as the Federal Women's Award, was given by the United States Civil Service Commission from 1961 until 1976.^[1]

The Federal Woman's Award was established by Barbara Bates Gunderson in 1960, while she was serving on the Civil Service Commission. Her goal was to publicize the ways women were excelling in federal employment, and to encourage young women to consider careers with federal laboratories and agencies.^[2] Gunderson was also the first chair of the award's board.^[3] Katie Louchheim, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, and later Patricia Hitt, Assistant Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, issued press releases about the awards and appeared at the presentation events.^{[4] [5]}

Nominations were submitted annually by federal departments and agencies to the board of trustees for the Federal Woman's Award. The nominations were judged by a panel of "persons prominent in public life", including magazine editors, broadcasters, journalists, business executives, and college presidents. Among the judges were Milton S. Eisenhower, Carl Rowan, Doris Fleeson, Arthur Sherwood Flemming, Sol Linowitz, David Brinkley, Betty Furness, and Katharine E. McBride.^{[6] [7] [8]}

About six recipients were selected each year, for their "outstanding achievement and ability in an executive, professional, scientific, or technical position in the federal service."^[9] Award winners were invited to a ceremony in the Oval Office. The president posed for official photographs with the group, and made remarks for the occasion.

The awards were discontinued after the 1976 presentations, though there were nominations for 1977.^[10] "Although the prize had served its purpose at no cost to the government, its continuation in the era of equal opportunity as a separate compensatory award for women only, which had seemed so harmless and even chivalric before, began to raise concerns and embarrassment," noted historian of science Margaret Rossiter.^[11] In 1978, Rosalyn Yalow, one of the award's first recipients, recalled that "I viewed this award as second-class", adding "I was therefore delighted to learn last year that the Federal Woman's Award was to be discontinued — I hope permanently."^[12]

Awardees by year

1961

• Beatrice Aitchison
• Ruth E. Bacon
• Nina Kinsella (Warden of the Federal Reformatory for Women, Alderson, WV)
• Charlotte Moore Sitterly
• Aryness Joy Wickens
• Rosalyn Sussman Yalow

1962^[13]

• Katherine W. Bracken (Director of the Office of Central American and Panamanian Affairs, Department of State)
• Margaret H. Brass (attorney, Department of Justice)^[14]
  • Thelma Brumfield Dunn Evelyn Harrison (Civil Service Commission)
• Allene Jeanes
• Nancy Roman

1963^[15]

• Eleanor L. Makel
• Bessie Margolin
  • Katharine Kniskern Mather Verna C. Mohagen (1908-1980; Personnel Management Division, Department of Agriculture)
• Blanche W. Noyes
• Eleanor C. Pressly

1964^[16]

• Evelyn Anderson
• Gertrude Blanch
  • Selene Gifford Elizabeth F. Messer (Civil Service Commission)^[17]
• Margaret Wolman Schwartz (specialist in economic warfare, Treasury Department)
• Patricia G. van Delden

1965^{[18] [19]}

• Ann Z. Caracristi
• Elizabeth B. Drewry
• Dorothy M. Gilford
• Carol Laise
  • Sarah Elizabeth Stewart Penelope Hartland-Thunberg

1966^[20]

• Fannie N. Boyls (1906-2002; National Labor Relations Board)
• Stella E. Davis (Desk officer, East and South Africa, USIA)
• Jocelyn Gill
• Ida Craven Merriam
• Irene Parsons (Personnel, Veterans Administration)^{[21] [22]}
• Ruth G. Van Cleve (director, Office of the Territories, Department of Interior)

Also nominated: Julia Brown Wright (US Naval Propellant Plant)^[23]

1967

• Elizabeth Ann Brown
• Barbara Moulton
  • Anne Mason Roberts Kathryn Grove Shipp^[24]
• Wilma Victor^[25]
• Marjorie J. Williams

1968^{[26] [27]}

• Ruth R. Benerito
• Mabel Kunce Gibby (1926-2015; vocational rehab, psychologist)
• Frances M. James (Council of Economic Advisors)
  • Ruby Grant Martin Lucille Farrier Stickel
• Rogene L. Thompson (Federal Aviation Administration)
• Nina Bencich Woodside

Also nominated: Eileen R. Donovan, Charlotte M. Hubbard, and Susan T. Tait^[28]

1969

• Mary Hughes Budenbach
• Edith N. Cook (Associate Solicitor, Division of Legislation, Department of Labor)
  • Eileen R. Donovan Jo Ann Smith Kinney (Navy, Submarine Medical Research Lab)
• Esther Christian Lawton
• Dorothy L. Starbuck^[29]

1970^[30]

• Jean Apgar^[31]
• Margaret Pittman
• Naomi Rosen Sweeney (Office of Management and Budget)
• Sarah B. Glindmeyer (chief of the Bureau of Nursing, D. C. Dept. of Public Health)
  • Valerija B. Raulinaitis Margaret Joy Tibbetts

Also nominated: Marilyn Levy

1971^[32]

• Jeanne Wilson Davis (National Security Council)
• Florence Johnson Hicks (Public Health, Washington DC)
  • Juanita Morris Moody Essie Davis Morgan
• Rita Rapp
• Joan R. Rosenblatt

Also nominated: Frances L. Whedon, Miriam H. Thomas, Joyce L. House, Joyce I. Allen, Vilma B. Harper, Cleo S. Cason^[33]

1972

• Lois Albro Chatham
• Phyllis Dixon Clemmons (d. 2013; Government of the District of Columbia)
• Ruth M. Davis
• Mary Harrover Ferguson (d. 1999; Office of Naval Research)
• Ruth M. Leverton
• Patricia Ann McCreedy^[34]

1973^[35]

• Bernice L. Bernstein (HEW)^[36]
  • Marguerite S. Chang Janet Hart (Federal Reserve)
• Marilyn E. Jacox
  • Isabel L. Karle Marjorie R. Townsend^[37]

1974

• • • • • Henriette D. Avram Edna A. Boorady Roselyn Payne Epps Brigid Gray Leventhal Gladys P. Rogers (Department of State)

1975

• Beatrice Dvorak (Department of Labor)
  • Evans Hayward Wilda Martinez (Department of Agriculture)

Also nominated: Theresa V. Brassard^[38]

1976^[39]

• I. Blanche Bourne (Public Health, Government of the District of Columbia)^[40]
• Carin Ann Clauss^[41]
• Dorothy I. Fennell (Department of Agriculture)
• Marion J. Finkel (FDA)
• Mary Patricia Murray (VA, kinesiologist)
• Joyce J. Walker (OMB)^[42]

1977

Nominated: Lola McFerson

References

1. Book: Central Intelligence Agency. CIVIL SERVICE JOURNAL. 1969-09-01. Emma Best. English.
2. News: 1960-10-12. Federal Woman's Award Announced by Miss Bates. 8. Pensacola News Journal. 2021-05-04. Newspapers.com.
3. News: Gilbride. F. J.. 1964-07-19. Permanent Designation. 30. Argus-Leader. 2021-05-03. Newspapers.com.
4. News: 1961-10-29. Will Cite High-Caliber Career Women in Federal Positions. 23. Asbury Park Press. 2021-05-03. Newspapers.com.
5. News: 1969-03-01. Gov. Career Women Receive Top Honors. 10. The Pittsburgh Courier. 2021-05-04. Newspapers.com.
6. News: 1965-11-27. Katie Loucheim Announces Federal Women's Judges. 6. The Pittsburgh Courier. 2021-05-03. Newspapers.com.
7. News: 1967-11-18. Judges Told for Career }} 8th Annual Award]. 10. The Pittsburgh Courier. 2021-05-03. Newspapers.com.
8. News: 1963-03-04. List Federal Woman's Awards Judges for '63. 6. Asbury Park Press. 2021-05-04. Newspapers.com.
9. News: 1962-12-30. Federal Award for Women Lists Open. 8. Reno Gazette-Journal. 2021-05-03. Newspapers.com.
10. News: 1977-04-29. Lola McFerson, AFLC Nominee for Federal Women's Award. 2. The Hill Top Times. 2021-05-04. Newspapers.com.
11. Book: Rossiter, Margaret W.. Women Scientists in America: Forging a New World Since 1972. 2012-04-02. JHU Press. 9781421402338. en.
12. News: Yalow. Rosalyn. 1978-06-21. 'Ghetto' Awards That Say 'Not Bad for a Woman'. 15. The Des Moines Register. 2021-05-04.
13. Web site: February 27, 1962. Visit of recipients of 2nd Annual Federal Woman's Award. 2021-05-03. JFK Library.
14. News: 1962-02-06. Federal Women's Award to be Given to Margaret H. Brass. 1. The Daily Courier. 2021-05-03. Newspapers.com.
15. Web site: May 2, 1963. Visit of winners of the 1963 Federal Woman's Awards. 2021-05-03. JFK Library.
16. News: 1964-02-03. Government Cites WPAFB Scientist. 1. The Journal Herald. 2021-05-04. Newspapers.com.
17. News: Elizabeth Messer, 65, Retired Civil Service Commission Aide. en-US. Washington Post. 2021-05-05. 0190-8286.
18. Web site: Johnson. Lyndon Baines. March 2, 1965. Remarks at the Federal Woman's Award Ceremony. 2021-05-03. The American Presidency Project, UCSB.
19. News: King. Jan. 1965-04-26. Federal Woman's Awards Presented to Career Women. 18. The Amarillo Globe-Times. 2021-05-04. Newspapers.com.
20. News: Crowther. Rodney. 1966-02-07. Honor is Set For 6 Women. 1. The Baltimore Sun. 2021-05-04. Newspapers.com.
21. News: 1966-02-27. Irene Parsons is Winner of Federal Woman's Award. 65. The News and Observer. 2021-05-03. Newspapers.com.
22. News: 1972-03-21. Miss Parsons Receives Career Service Award. 6. Asheville Citizen-Times. 2022-02-02. Newspapers.com.
23. News: 1965-11-14. Julia Brown Wright Nominee for Federal Woman's Award. 3. Rocky Mount Telegram. 2021-05-04. Newspapers.com.
24. News: 1967-02-10. Former City Woman Wins U. S. Honor. 27. The Morning News. 2021-05-04. Newspapers.com.
25. Web site: Wilma L. Victor, Choctaw, to Receive Federal Woman's Award Indian Affairs. 2021-05-03. Bureau of Indian Affairs, U. S. Department of the Interior.
26. Web site: Johnson. Lyndon Baines. March 14, 1968. Remarks at the Federal Woman's Award Ceremony. 2021-05-03. The American Presidency Project, UCSB.
27. News: 1968-02-12. 7 Federal Workers Win Woman's Award. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-05-03. 0362-4331.
28. 4 Officers Honored In Government-Wide Awards Competition . State Department Newsletter . 6 . Hathitrust.
29. News: 1969-03-03. Veterans News Told. 4. The Prattville Progress. 2021-05-04. Newspapers.com.
30. News: 1970-02-17. Ithaca Woman National Winner. 6. The Post-Standard. 2021-05-04. Newspapers.com.
31. News: 1999-03-20. Mary H. Ayers. 26. The News and Observer. 2022-02-02. Newspapers.com.
32. News: 1971-02-04. Federal Women's Award Honors Six Top Females. 3. Enterprise-Journal. 2021-05-05. Newspapers.com.
33. January–February 1971. Army Nominates 6 Employed in R&D for Annual Federal Woman's Award. Army Research & Development Newsmagazine. 12. 18.
34. News: 1972-04-26. Former Biloxian given Federal Woman's award. 22. Sun Herald. 2022-02-02. Newspapers.com.
35. Book: Office, United States Government Printing. Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States, Richard Nixon, 1973: Containing the Public Messages, Statements, and Speeches of the President. 1999. Government Printing Office. 9780160588655. en.
36. News: 1973-03-07. Menomonie Native Earns Federal Award. 4. The Dunn County News. 2021-05-04. Newspapers.com.
37. Web site: Townsend. Marjorie Rhodes. March 1973. Remarks for Federal Woman's Award Banquet. 2021-05-03. Marjorie Rhodes Townsend Papers, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech.
38. News: 1975-01-10. Waterford Woman Runner-Up. 13. The Times Record. 2021-10-06. Newspapers.com.
39. News: Labor Dept. Official Named to Women's Award. September 20, 1976. Rocky Mountain Telegram. June 20, 2019. 3. Newspapers.com.
40. News: Bush. Frances W. Sr.. 1976-12-31. Dr. I. Blanche Bourne Receives Federal Woman's Award for 1976. 9. The News. 2021-05-04.
41. Book: Jimmy, Carter. Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Jimmy Carter, 1977. 1977-01-01. Best Books on. 9781623767648. en.
42. News: 1977-10-13. Joyce Walker Honored for WHS Homecoming. 2. Windsor Beacon. 2022-02-02. Newspapers.com.