Despite remarkable changes in the public workforce since the 1960s, women remain solidly underrepresented in government leadership, particularly in traditionally male-dominated roles. This has led to efforts and campaigns that push for improved gender diversity and to foster and develop women for entry and advancement, such as the recent #13percent movement that calls attention to the reality that only 13 percent of local government chief administrative officer (CAO) positions are held by women (as of 2013). Likewise, attention to gender representation has grown in Master of Public Administration programs.
In his MPA foundations course, Dr. Casey Fleming recently held the second “Women of State Government” virtual forum with women panelists, all of whom are current government directors and leaders at the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management, and the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency. Panelists discussed their career paths, told some stories of successes and failures, and offered advice for those entering public service.
