WID -

January 2004

New Study Sheds Light on WID Membership
by Janice M. Menker

The membership of Women In Defense represents both government and industry. A recent study provides some details about that membership. A total of 92 percent is concentrated in the following nine states and jurisdictions:

Virginia	28%
Maryland	18%
New Jersey	14%
Alabama	11%
Illinois	9%
District of Columbia	4%
Iowa	4%
California	2%
Florida	2%
TOTAL	92%

The average length of membership is 1.7 years. Between June 1, 2002 and May 31, 2003, 363 new members joined, effectively doubling the size of the membership. Since May 2003, membership has climbed to 739 members.

The number of members employed in the defense industry (32 percent) is roughly equal to the combined number either serving in the military or working as a government civilian (29 percent).

Defense Industry	32%
Government Civilian	16%
Military	13%
Other	39%

Eight percent of the membership has a title of president, chief executive officer, or a similar term. Five percent are program or project managers. Job specialties listed include:

Engineering	5%
Contracts	4%
Administrative Assistant	3%
Business Development	3%
Finance	2%
Environmental	2%

WID provides opportunities for its members to engage in educational forums, networking events, industry-government exchanges, outreach events and other activities.

For example, WID's Tennessee Valley Chapter has formed a charity committee and, on February 29, will support the American Heart Walk.

WID's Chesapeake Bay Chapter entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Defense Acquisition University to support the DAU classes. Jane Walter, WID national vice president; Cindy Broyles, former chapter president, and Frank Swofford, industry liaison, worked with Barbara Smith, dean of DAU Pax River to form this relationship. Under the MOU, WID members will participate in DAU classes, presenting the industry perspective in the defense acquisition process.

Chapter members learned about the work of Dress for Success from WID member Theresa Fisher, of Booz Allen Hamilton. Dress for Success is a not-for-profit organization that helps low-income women dress better while looking for jobs. Chapter leaders have initiated a drive for donations of suits.

In Washington, D.C., WID is a sponsor of the 2004 exhibition, “Winning the War–Women In World War II,” presented by the National Women's History Museum. The exhibition will be held in connection with the dedication of the World War II Memorial on the National Mall on May 29. The exhibition will open in March as part of National Women's History Month and will continue into early fall.

Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Wilma F. Vaught, president of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation (WIMSA), invited the museum to create this exhibition. It focuses on the role of civilian women in the war, complementing other exhibits that chronicle military women's service to the conflict. Vaught is a long-time member of Women In Defense. Details about WIMSA are at www.womensmemorial.org.

Heather Owens, an environmental scientist at Versar Inc., helped identify elements of women's contributions in the defense industry during World War II and acted as a liaison between WID and National Women's History Month. Jane Patrick Casey, in her role as NDIA director of membership and staff liaison for WID, helped identify possible funding and historical sources.

Janice M. Menker is president of Women In Defense.

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