Orange County Recognizes the Leadership and Service of its Dedicated Female Staff
By: Orange County Communications Department
International Women ’ s Day is observed annually on March 8 th . First recognized by the United Nations in 1977, it is “ a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic, or political. ” The date was chosen in recognition of important milestones of women's ’ suffrage movements in the early twentieth century. The United States later recognized the entirety of March as women ’ s history month in 1987. Within the context of this greater global celebration, it is important to take a moment and recognize the amazing impact of women in our own corner of the world. Orange County ’ s staff profile alone demonstrates the important role of women in the functions of our local government. In fact, fifty - seven percent (57%) of our employees are female. They serve across the board in virtually every department, from Fire and EMS to Administration, from Planning Services to the Libraries. Beyond the simple staff ratio, women play an important part in guiding the direction of the County. A more in - depth look reveals that women make up well over half our Senior Leadership Team, at sixty - three percent (63%). The Senior Leadership Team represents our topmost collection of staff positions, comprised of department directors and upper administration. In terms of administrators, two (2) out of three (3) of our highest - level positions (Deputy County Administrator
and Assistant County Administrator for Operations) are filled by women. Women are also well - represented in Orange County elected positions, including the Clerk of Court, Commissioner of the Revenue, Commonwealth ’ s Attorney, and Treasurer. Contrary to the current situation in Orange County, women have not always had the opportunity to serve at the top levels of local government. The ICMA ’ s (International City/County Management Association) “ Task Force on Women in the Profession ” noted that in the mid 1970’ s only 1% of top government administrators were women. That number has risen to almost 20% today, but there is obviously still a divide across much of the field. We are proud of the enduring leadership and service impacts made by the hard - working female members of the Orange County team!
Sources:
• Atchison, J. (2022, February 1). Sheleadsgov: ICMA's continuing dedication to advancing women in the profession. icma.org. Retrieved March 4, 2022, from https://icma.org/articles/pm - magazine/ sheleadsgov - icmas - continuing - dedication - advancing - women - profession • United Nations. (n.d.). Background | International Women's Day. United Nations. Retrieved March 4, 2022, from https://www.un.org/en/observances/womens - day/background
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