Federally Employed Women, Inc, (FEW) was established in the summer of 1968 by a group
of federally employed women working in Washington, D. C., who were interested in carrying
out the intent of Presidential Executive Order 11375, which added “sex” to the
other forms of discrimination prohibited by Executive Order 11246 in the federal service
by federal government contractors. Among the women who organized FEW were Esther Lawton,
Daisy Fields, Allie Latimer Weeden, Priscilla Ransohoff (all past national presidents),
Tina Hobson, and Helen Dudley. FEW is the only national organization solely concerned with
eliminating sex discrimination in the Federal Government.
Space Coast Chapter is a member of the Southeast Region, which is the largest region,
covering Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, West
Virginia and Kentucky. The region consists of 30 chapters, 5 regional representatives, and
a regional manager.
Space Coast was the 9th chapter of FEW, receiving its charter in September 1970. Kay
Morrison served as the first President and the initial membership was 17. In the years
since, Space Coast has experienced many successes, thanks to the untiring efforts of
dedicated officers, committees, and members. The chapter actively pursues equality in such
vital areas as training, promotions, recruitment, and all actions concerning the women at
the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). We fully support the Federal Women’s Program Manager
(FWPM) concept and feel that our efforts contributed greatly to KSC’s decision to
hire a full-time FWPM in the Equal Opportunity Office.
FEW organizes and sponsors programs and seminars on issues pertinent to women which have
benefited both its members and the women at KSC. The chapter supports various women’s
shelters and domestic violence centers. We help protect our county and environment through
the Keep Brevard Beautiful, Adopt-a-Shore program and donations to the Merritt Island
Wildlife Refuge. An educational scholarship program was established in 1976 and continues
today. All activities are supported from the profits of the annual training program; for
which we have been recognized at the national level.
Through the communications link of FEW members at KSC and of FEW chapters across the
nation, we support thousands of other women in furthering the cause of equal opportunity
for all. As Dr. Estelle Ramsey, Professor of Physiology, Georgetown Medical Center, and a
FEW member, so aptly stated, We have the numbers; we have the intelligence; we have the
hormones to do it. We have everything. All we need now is the conviction that we can do
it.