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***Workforce Resources***

AFDW civilian receives FEW award

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. --  The organization, Federally Employed Women, recognized a member of the Air Force District of Washington for the work she has done to promote diversity throughout her career.

The organization selected Erm Rodriguez-Heffner, AFDW Manpower, Personnel and Services director, as the 2013 Federally Employed Women's Champion of Diversity Award winner.

The FEW is a nationally recognized private organization that works as an advocacy group to improve the status of women employed by the federal government and the District of Columbia.

The award Rodriguez-Heffner earned recognizes the work she has done to champion diversity throughout her Air Force career. The Affirmative Employment Program manager at McClellan Air Force Base, Calif., recruited her out of college under the Outstanding Scholar Program.

"College was an eye opening experience," she said. "That is when I realized how diverse we really were. It is where I first learned to appreciate other cultures and learned more about them."

As a beneficiary of affirmative employment, Rodriguez-Heffner has been a staunch advocate in the advancement of minorities and women throughout her 23-year career in the Air Force as a recruiter, Hispanic Employment Program manager, special emphasis coordinator, civilian personnel officer, and a Headquarters Air Force functional manager.
"This award recognizes her career-long contributions to furthering diversity in our Air Force and federal workforce -- a tremendous and very well-deserved honor for Erm," said Maj. Gen. Sharon Dunbar, AFDW commander.

Rodriguez-Heffner believes diversity of thought comes from understanding what everyone brings to the fight.

"View people as individuals and what makes them unique," she said. "As a supervisor, it is important to understand what people bring to the table, not only to maximize the mission, but to optimize the individual's potential."

The FEW will present Rodriguez-Heffner her award July 22 in Orlando, Fla.