Dear USDA colleagues,

In 1987, the U.S. Congress designated and observed the month of March as Women’s History Month to focus on the overlooked and undervalued role of American women in history including multicultural and marginalized groups. At USDA, we celebrate Women’s History Month by showcasing the accomplishments of women to our culture and society. We draw strength and inspiration from the remarkable women who came before us, who contributed to the fabric of our nation and who today continue to make ripples of change and progress to make us a more perfect union. Throughout the month and year, an emphasis will be placed on women’s contributions to our shared history while also recognizing and acknowledging the impact and influence women have on our daily lives. We will focus on our commitments to building a modern workplace that advances diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility and that supports women leaders at all rungs of our organization. We will lift the voices and experiences of women, including transgender women, in the workplace, address challenges, and ensure the ideas, best practices and recommendations to help make USDA the best place to work. We will study our data and encourage conversations about where we need to make more progress and we will continue to work to ensure it is a safe environment—free from bias, discrimination, harassment and workplace violence. 

The vital role that women’s dreams and accomplishments play in our lives can be honored in countless ways. Recognizing the achievements of women in all facets of life—science, community, government, literature, art, sports, medicine—through books such as “Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World,” “My Own Words,” and “Hidden Figures,” or documentaries like “Equal Means Equal” and “Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority” that portray activists, doers and thinkers of the world are just some of the ways in which we can learn about women that have come before us. Last fall, the Biden-Harris Administration released the Fact Sheet: National Strategy on Gender Equity and Equality. We encourage you to review it and create space within your teams to consider ways you can advance gender equity and equality. USDA is excited to lead on gender equity and equality by supporting women-owned businesses, supporting women in agriculture and forestry, improving and promoting equitable access to nutrition assistance, increasing and promoting women participation in agricultural STEM fields, and recruiting more young and diverse talent from minority serving institutions and community colleges through internships. 

This year, the Deputy Secretary, as well as agency leaders, will be hosting a series of events throughout Women’s History Month. Among these events will be a live, interactive and virtual Fireside Chat where participants will engage in discussions of their experiences in agricultural science, forestry, space, economics, trade and public health with an emphasis on triumphs, overcoming impediments, healing and hope. The Deputy Secretary starts it off TODAY, AT 2 P.M. ET, in an Instagram live event with Kendall Rae Johnson, an inspiring young African American producer who at six year old is Georgia’s youngest certified farmer. 

As we celebrate the women who have come before us and that continue to blaze the trail of innovation, excellence, and growth, we have miles to go before the playing field is level. There are still so many firsts—like the historic nomination of judge Kentaji Brown Jackson to the country’s highest court, that we should celebrate, yet also hold ourselves to higher standard in that these actions are no longer the exception but the norm. During Women’s History Month, as we honor the accomplished and visionary women who have helped build our country, let us pay tribute to the trailblazers from the recent and distant past for daring to envision a future of expanded opportunity and endless possibilities for all women and girls.

Sincerely, 

Secretary Vilsack and Deputy Secretary Bronaugh
 

Additional Suggested Learning Resources:

Advancing Gender Equity as You Lead out of the Pandemic (hbr.org)
Gender - HBR
National-Strategy-on-Gender-Equity-and-Equality.pdf (whitehouse.gov)
National Women's History Museum (womenshistory.org)
AgLearn Women’s History Month resources