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NOAA Finalizes Strategy to Enhance Growth of American Blue Economy

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NOAA today released its Blue Economy Strategic Plan for 2021-2025, laying out a roadmap for new ways to advance America’s Blue Economy and enhance a global ocean economy expected to double in value to $3 trillion over the next decade.

NOAA’s data, tools, and services that support coastal economies and their contribution to the national economy touch all aspects of American life. Approximately 127 million people, or 40% of the U.S. population, live in coastal counties. In 2018, the American blue economy supported 2.3 million jobs and contributed approximately $373 billion to the nation’s gross domestic product through activities such as tourism and recreation, shipping and transportation, commercial and recreational fishing, power generation, research, and related goods and services.

“By supporting the growth of the Blue Economy, we can help accelerate the nation’s economic recovery,” said retired Navy Rear Adm. Tim Gallaudet, Ph.D., assistant secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere, and deputy NOAA administrator. “This plan shows how NOAA can further the benefits of the Blue Economy for all Americans.”

The Strategic Plan focuses on five sectors that NOAA will advance through agency-wide initiatives: marine transportation, ocean exploration, seafood competitiveness, tourism and recreation, and coastal resilience.

Video highlights NOAA’s contributions to the American Blue Economy.

NOAA plans to further enhance these sectors by leveraging public-private partnerships, harnessing emerging technologies, and developing innovative STEM education and outreach efforts to train the next generation of Blue Economy leaders.

“By marshalling NOAA’s in-house expertise and collaborating with partners across the country, we can foster American business, entrepreneurship, and education in service of a sustainable Blue Economy,” said Nicole LeBoeuf, acting assistant administrator of NOAA’s National Ocean Service. “Our ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources are critical to our security and well-being, and I’m proud of NOAA’s commitment to understand and maximize the potential of these national assets.”

Cross-post from NOAA

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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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Cover for NOAA story map entitled Our dynamic marine economy.

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Cover for NOAA story map entitled Our dynamic marine economy.

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The Inauguration of the 46th President of the United States

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The Presidential Inauguration of Joseph R. Biden, in Washington, DC.

Inaugural Address by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

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U.S. Census Bureau Releases Key Statistics on Nation's African American Population in Honor of Black History Month

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The following is a cross-post from the U.S. Census Bureau

To commemorate and celebrate the contributions to our nation made by people of African descent, American historian Carter G. Woodson established Black History Week (then called “Negro History Week”) nearly a century ago. The event was first celebrated during the second week of February 1926, selected because it coincides with the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and abolitionist/writer Frederick Douglass (February 14). That week would continue to be set aside for the event until 1976 when, as part of the nation’s bicentennial, it was expanded to a month. Since then, U.S. presidents have proclaimed February as National African American History Month.

The following facts are made possible by the invaluable responses to the U.S. Census Bureau’s surveys. We appreciate the public’s cooperation as we continuously measure America’s people, places and economy.

48.2 million

The Black population, either alone or in combination with one or more races, in the United States in 2019.

30.7%

The percentage of the employed Black population age 16 and older working in management, business, science and arts occupations in 2019.

124,004

The number of Black-owned employer businesses in the United States in 2017.

2.1 million

The number of Black military veterans in the United States nationwide in 2019.

Voting Rates

Voting rates in the 2018 congressional election.

Voting rates in the 2016 presidential election.

Voting rates in the 2014 congressional election.

Income, Poverty and Health Insurance

Income.

Poverty status.

Health insurance coverage.

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See a detailed profile on the Black population from the 2019 American Community Survey. Statistics include:

Families and children.

Marital status.

Grandparents living with grandchildren.

Jobs.

Labor force participation.

Occupation.

Commuting.

Housing.

For more information, see the U.S. Census Bureau's latest Facts for Features National African American (Black) History Month: February 2021

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U.S. Census Bureau Graphic on Educational Attainment of the Black and Total Populations by Age

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U.S. Census Bureau Graphic on Educational Attainment of the Black and Total Populations by Age

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U.S. Department of Commerce Initiates Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Investigations of Aluminum Foil from China

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Apply Now: 2021 SelectUSA Investment Summit

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The following is a cross-post from SelectUSA

Mark your calendar and make plans to attend the 2021 SelectUSA Investment Summit, June 7-11.

The Investment Summit is the #1 business investment event in the United States and this year, will be a virtual experience to remember.  The first-ever virtual Investment Summit is on pace to provide opportunity for more investors from more markets and greater representation from economic developers (EDO) across the nation to participate -  this year’s Investment Summit will be the most productive FDI event you attend all year.

Explore interactive exhibitor showcases featuring EDOs, service providers, industry experts, and international tech startups.

Network with 50+ states and territories, companies from 70+ markets, speakers, government officials and more; set up one-on-one or group meetings and make your investment deals happen.

Learn from policy and industry experts in 100+ virtual sessions, which will be tailored to participant types and time zones, providing you with actionable information on    everything from developing a workforce to understanding incentives.

Meet and form valuable partnerships with industry partners from across the United States.

Apply now to join the largest investment event in the country! We also encourage you to explore additional opportunities to maximize your experience at the Investment Summit by applying to be a speaker, exhibitor, or sponsor and keeping up with our agenda highlights!

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SelectUSA Graphic: The United States is Open for Business

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SelectUSA Graphic: The United States is Open for Business

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NTIA Announces Tribal Consultations on New Program to Increase Broadband Access Across Indian Country

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The following is a cross-post from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is committed to increasing broadband Internet access across America, particularly in unserved and underserved communities. The recently enacted Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 provides new sources of tribal broadband funding to assist in mitigating the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic which is exacerbating the digital divide across Indian Country.  With the designated funding, NTIA is in the process of developing the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) that will make grants available to eligible entities as quickly as possible. In order to ensure the TBCP is as effective as possible, NTIA will be holding virtual Tribal Consultation sessions on February 5, 10, and 12, 2021.

NTIA is committed to holding Tribal Consultation sessions expeditiously to ensure that tribal input informs the new grant program prior to the application process.  Tribal leadership or their designees are invited to participate in the virtual Tribal Consultations to provide their advice and insights as NTIA staff work through the critical issues related to the program.

The $1 billion TBCP will provide funding for the following:

Broadband infrastructure deployment, including support for the establishment of carrier-neutral submarine cable landing stations

Affordable broadband programs, including:

1. providing free or reduced-cost broadband service

2. preventing disconnection of existing broadband service

3. distance learning

4. telehealth

5. digital inclusion efforts

6. broadband adoption activities

Registration for the virtual Tribal Consultation sessions and the agenda are available on the NTIA website. Pre-registration for the sessions is encouraged, but not required.

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NTIA is committed to increasing broadband Internet access across America, particularly in unserved and underserved communities.

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NTIA is committed to increasing broadband Internet access across America, particularly in unserved and underserved communities.

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Final Antidumping Determinations on Finished Carbon Steel Flanges from Spain

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Spotlight on Commerce: Samantha Maragh, Ph.D., Leader of the Genome Editing Program, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

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Guest blog post by Samantha Maragh, Ph.D., Leader of the Genome Editing Program, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

I grew up in the “melting pot U.S.A,” otherwise known as Howard County, Maryland. Even in this melting pot, I was different. I am of mixed ethnicity. My mom is Afro-Caribbean and my dad is East Indian. Both parents were born and raised in Jamaica and came to the U.S. in 1981. As a first-generation natural born American citizen born to Jamaican immigrant parents, I discovered my love of biomedicine as early as elementary school. In the Howard County Public School System, I was exposed to a variety of sciences and I found biology really spoke to my puzzle-loving, problem-solving mind.

After high school, I continued my path toward a career in science at Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland and graduated with a B.S. in biology, with a concentration in cellular and molecular biology, and a minor in chemistry. Biology is the study of life, so as a field it encompasses a large number of subspecialties. During my time at Loyola, I found my biology sweet spot in genetics and molecular biology, and I have pursued that field from that time forward.

After completing my B.S., I got a job in the Federal Government. I started my journey as a contractor biological technician at the Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST). I knew my scientific interests were in applying genetics to challenges relating to human health. At NIST, I was given the opportunity to support a collaboration between NIST and the National Cancer Institute on the early detection of cancer biomarkers. Four months into my time working at NIST, I started a master’s degree program at night. For two and a half years, I worked full time at NIST and attended classes two or three nights a week for up to three hours a night. At the end, I received a M.S. degree in biotechnology, with a specialization in molecular targets and drug discovery, from Johns Hopkins University.

Early into my time pursuing my master’s degree, to my surprise, I was offered a civil service job as a biological technician. I gladly accepted this opportunity and began what has been 14 years and nine months of federal service at NIST.

While I was serving as a NIST technician and nearing the completion of my M.S. degree, former NIST director Willie May (and then-director of the NIST Material Measurement Laboratory, or MML) and former MML director Laurie Locascio (then my division chief) encouraged me to obtain a doctorate and bring back what I learned to further NIST in the biosciences. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity and the support Willie and Laurie gave me and their encouragement to pursue my Ph.D. With persistent encouragement and support from other NIST leadership, I went to the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine while still being a full-time NIST employee. I worked in the Hopkins labs and in the process I obtained a Ph.D. in human genetics and molecular biology.

While pursuing my Ph.D., I became exposed to the budding revolution that is CRISPR/Cas and other genome editing technologies. After completing my Ph.D., I returned to NIST full-time in 2014 and brought with me an enthusiasm for this new, exciting field of genome editing. It was no easy feat to convince colleagues that a technology almost nobody had heard of at that time would warrant its own program. But,  I built a network of key players in the field and made the case for the important role of NIST in this growing field.

Now I lead the Genome Editing Program that I started at NIST in 2016. Genome editing systems (e.g., CRISPR/Cas9 and Zinc Finger Nucleases) generate permanent DNA sequence changes in live cells by the generation then repair of DNA strand breaks at target DNA sequences.  Genome editing technologies are being actively pursued globally by government, academic, and private sectors to transform medicine and bioscience to enable previously impossible advances in areas such as gene therapy, synthetic biology, novel antimicrobial and antivirals, biomanufacturing, agriculture and food production. This technology space has already made an impact on science, and in 2020 the Nobel Prize for Chemistry was awarded to two female scientists Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna "for the development of a method for genome editing.”  In my role, I lead a team of NIST scientists and have a wide range of collaborations with other government agencies, nonprofits, academics and industry. We work together to develop the measurements and standards needed to increase confidence in utilizing genome editing technologies in research and commercial products. The primary collaborative activity I lead is the NIST Genome Editing Consortium, a public-private partnership for standards development. In addition to these duties, I also serve as a U.S. expert on nucleic acids measurements to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee on Biotechnology.

In my time leading the NIST Genome Editing Program, I’ve received a few honors. I was nominated and selected through a competitive process to speak at the National Academy of Engineering 2019 U.S. Frontiers of Engineering Symposium (US FOE). Also in 2019, I was honored as the State of Maryland Non-Academic Outstanding Young Scientist of the year. You can read more about my work at this blog post for NIST’s Taking Measure blog. https://www.nist.gov/blogs/taking-measure/rewritten-our-dna-measurements-genome-editing

I am now a woman in STEM, but I was once a child and teen, interested in STEM.  In those early days I was often asked if I was ‘sure about science’ since to those around me science was such an uncommon path and it was unclear how I could be successful.  It’s interesting to note that even now at scientific conferences I’m often assumed to be the student, the assistant or the spokesperson.  It can be surprising to people, when they realize that I am actually the program leader, and this regularly stimulates conversations about how this came to be and the biases, challenges, and opportunities for women to be leaders in STEM.

But “scientist” is only one part of who I am and what I hold dear. I can also be defined by faith, family, fun and food.

Faith: I am a member of Higher Ground International Church of Catonsville, Maryland, and there I exercise my passion for God and singing as the praise and worship as well as the music ministry leader. As a Christian, my belief in Jesus Christ guides the core of who I am.

Family: I hold dear those I call family, cherishing those closest to me for how they enrich my life and try to enrich theirs in return.

Fun: I enjoy laughter-being in as well as helping to create the moments in life that not only bring a smile to your face but also to your heart.

Food: I love to cook as well as seek out new and varying cuisines to taste the diversity of the spice of life.

To the youth who may be interested in a career with the federal government, from my experience, being an effective civil servant is possible by understanding what you’re passionate about and matching that with where the government needs that talent.

Understand the value of using your talents toward the national good; be committed to fulfilling duties set before you with integrity; and know you represent more than yourself as a civil servant.

Start early in reaching out to current federal employees to talk about your interests and learn where there might be opportunities. I’d also encourage youth to stay balanced as a person.

To paraphrase my Ph.D. thesis adviser: “Be present wherever you are. When you are at work, be committed and the best you can be. When you are outside of work, maybe at home or with friends, be present and the best you can be there as well.”

Editorial Note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of Department of Commerce African Americans during Black History Month.

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National Institute of Standards and Technology

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Samantha Maragh, Ph.D., Leader of the Genome Editing Program, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

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Samantha Maragh, Ph.D., Leader of the Genome Editing Program, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Carbon and Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Belarus, Russia and the United Arab Emirates

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Spotlight on Commerce: Sherri Curtis-Lattisaw, Administrative Specialist, SelectUSA, International Trade Administration

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Guest blog post by Sherri Curtis-Lattisaw, Administrative Specialist, SelectUSA, International Trade Administration

I am an Administrative Specialist at the Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration (ITA). Within ITA, I work for SelectUSA. SelectUSA's mission is to facilitate a job-creating business investment into the United States and raise awareness of the critical role that economic development plays in the U.S. economy. My responsibilities vary from day to day, but ultimately, I ensure that the SelectUSA program is operational. For example, I serve as the purchase cardholder, and I prepare travel for the Executive Director and staff. I ensure that policy and procedure for travel are adhered to by the staff. Regularly, I assist in any way I can to ensure that the yearly SelectUSA Investment Summit, one of the Department of Commerce's largest events, is a success. I consider my job as essential as it ensures that my colleagues can accomplish their own jobs knowing that I will successfully handle the administrative processes.

As a native Washingtonian, I have served for more than 30 years in the Federal Government throughout Washington, D.C. For the last twenty years, I have served at the Department of Commerce, which has allowed me to work alongside an awesome group of people. Working with these fellow civil servants has helped me understand how the International Trade Administration (ITA) connects to the world and the critical role we play as civil servants in attracting foreign direct investment in America. Many years ago when I was a staff member of the Advocacy Center, I had an unexpected opportunity, where I met the Minister of Energy while hosting an international delegation from Kuwait. My task was to accompany the delegation to the Occidental restaurant. It was very exciting, and it was an experience I will remember fondly.

I grew up in Capitol Heights, Maryland, where I attended Maple Springs Bible College and Seminary with a focus on Theology. My studies afforded me the opportunity to serve as a minister at Christ Kingdom Church (CKC) in District Heights, MD, where Bishop David T.P. Perrin is the Senior Pastor. In February 2018, Bishop Perrin appointed me as the "International Coordinator for Boundless Ministries" (which is the umbrella for CKC), a position that requires a great deal of my free time. In this position, I coordinate with our international delegates where we plan the International Missions Conference (IMC) for the Ministry. The first IMC was held in Eldoret, Kenya, in 2018; However, in 2020, we had our first virtual IMC with our Ugandan host due to COVID-19.

As an African American woman, February is the month that provides insight into the struggles that my ancestors and forefathers had to endure. They made it possible for me to have a federal job, to reach for the stars, and to have hope in becoming anything that I desire to be!

For those reading this feature, I would like to share my favorite quote from the 37th President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, at his inauguration:

"There is nothing to fear but fear itself"

I would like to encourage today's youth not to allow F.E.A.R (False – Evidence – Appearing – Real) to hinder them in succeeding and becoming the best version of themselves. Don't allow fear to keep you from pushing past your circumstances, the color of your skin, or any obstacle that would hold you down, but to shoot for heaven, and should you miss, you'll be among the stars!

Editorial Note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of Department of Commerce African Americans during Black History Month.

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Carbon and Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Belarus, Russia and the United Arab Emirates

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Spotlight on Commerce:  Shayla E. Moon, Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Specialist, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

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Guest blog post by Shayla E. Moon, Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Specialist, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

Politics. Business. Education. Advocacy.  These words best describe my duty as the Legislative & Intergovernmental Affairs Specialist for the Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). They are also a description of my personal family history and contributions to African American firsts and historical events in this country.

In 1890, my great-granduncle, Blanche Kelso Bruce, became the first African American to serve a full term in the U.S. Senate and the first African American to preside over the Senate.  Also, in 1890, my great-great-grandfather Green Irving Currin was elected as the first African American to serve in the Oklahoma Indian Territorial Legislature. He held a career as a police officer, federal marshal, Board Regents for the Colored Agricultural and Normal College (CANU) (now Langston University), and was a plaintiff in the Supreme Court case Guinn v. the United States that made the phrase "grandfather clause" infamous.

Blanche Kelso Bruce (1841–1898) Oil on canvas, Simmie Knox, 2001, Collection of the U.S. Senate

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I was raised in Denver, Colorado by a village of shero and hero entrepreneurs, educators, and civic leaders who made it an early responsibility to advocate for those who needed it. For over 65 years, my family operated the oldest African American-owned small business in Colorado that provided funeral service needs to the community. Years before then, in 1904, my great-grandfather W.S. Currin and his brother H.I. Currin owned and operated Currin Brothers Candy Kitchen in Dover and Tulsa, Oklahoma. My great-grandfathers' store was in the Greenwood neighborhood, known to many as "Black Wall Street" in the early 20th century.

Green Irving Currin (1842–1918) Oil on canvas, Timothy C. Tyler, 2007, Collection of the Oklahoma State Senate

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Photograph of the Currin Brothers Candy Kitchen (1904) Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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Following the legacy of activism and entrepreneurship, my siblings and I were encouraged to find career paths that would allow us to give voice to causes and individuals when they needed it most. Being a fifth generation HBCU graduate from institutions such as Atlanta University, Dillard University, Tuskegee University, Howard University, and Bennett College, it also was impressed upon us that our chosen profession would assist people of color.

Before beginning my federal civil service career, I served in the United States Air Force and as a government relations professional for various political campaigns, trade associations, and nonprofit organizations. My advocacy and public policy foundation began by working for civil rights organizations such as the National Urban League and the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) under Dr. Dorothy I. Height's tutelage. Other efforts have included: K-12 education policy for City Year Inc., a member of the AmeriCorps national service network in post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana; issue advocacy work on behalf of non-governmental organizations (Citizens for Global Solutions) developing grassroot campaigns for ratification of the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) as well as the New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty); and intellectual property policy for the theft of digital content for the Motion Picture Association of America.

However, at MBDA, my role has provided the most reward and impact. MBDA is the only federal agency solely dedicated to the growth and global competitiveness of minority business enterprises (MBEs).  It has been a full-circle experience of messaging to Members of Congress, governors, mayors, and other elected officials about the racial disparities in wealth, economic mobility, and the importance of business development representing the 9.2 million MBEs in the U.S.  I find encouragement just as my ancestors did in addressing the issues of access to capital, advocating for increased diversity and inclusion of MBEs in underrepresented industry areas of innovation and future tech, and supporting agency-wide programming that serves enterprising women of color and formerly incarcerated entrepreneurs.

When on Capitol Hill, I sometimes pass by my uncle's portrait, Senator Bruce, and I am filled with purpose in my chosen career path in public service.  Entrepreneurship, politics, education, and advocacy are the family business. During Black History Month, I am proud to have a role in contributing to such a powerful legacy.

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of Department of Commerce African Americans during Black History Month.

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Shayla E. Moon, Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Specialist, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

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Shayla E. Moon, Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Specialist, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Carbon and Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Belarus, Russia and the United Arab Emirates

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Spotlight on Commerce: Shareen Bundy, Program and Management Analyst, Office of General Counsel, Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP)

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Guest blog post by Shareen Bundy, Program and Management Analyst, Office of General Counsel, Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP)

I am honored to be nominated to represent my culture for the U.S. Department of Commerce during the 2021 African American History Month celebration. My name is Shareen Bundy, and I am a Program and Management Analyst with the Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) within the Office of General Counsel. I’ve been with CLDP for 14 years, and it has been a great experience. I play many roles for CLDP including collaborating and consulting with CLDP senior staff, attorneys, and international program specialists and ensuring that their travel, IT and logistics needs are being met. I also work closely with our Office of Financial Management travel office and other OGC administrative staff.

I grew up in Landover, Maryland and spent my summers in Washington, DC. At the age of 20, I moved to Washington, DC permanently. My grandmother worked for Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and it was just amazing to me that she had a small part in helping our country explore space. Growing up, I always helped others by volunteering, mentoring, and just trying to make someone’s life better. In 2008, I was a recipient of the Habitat for Humanity program and had the opportunity to build a house. It was the most amazing experience to build my own home. As an African American woman, this was a dream for me to give my kids a home. I wanted to teach my children that education, hard work, and prayer were the keys to success. In 2018, I went back to school and received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University and a master’s in the Science of Psychology in 2020 from Walden University. Today, I am working on a master’s degree in Biblical Life Coaching at Liberty University. I am very active in my church, the First National Deliverance Center, where I sing in the choir and recite my poetry. I also enjoy celebrating and participating in autism walks and activities in honor of my autistic son.

This month is the perfect time to remember where we came from - including the struggles, the bad times, the good times and the lessons that have been passed down from generation to generation. Black History Month also is a time to step back and express gratefulness to those who came before us and hope for those who come after. As an African American woman, it is important to embrace the past and create your future – remembering that love is the key to it all.

There is so much pride and joy in being a civil servant. Serving someone other than yourself is the greatest reward. There is an amazing array of careers you can pursue and a ton of experiences you won’t get anywhere else. The best advice I can give is to take a chance on a role or project even if you don’t think you check every box needed. I’ve had the most rewarding experiences when I have challenged myself with a task I didn’t think I could do. I frequently share the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. with my mentees and children: “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of Department of Commerce African Americans during Black History Month.

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Shareen Bundy, Program and Management Analyst, Office of General Counsel, Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP)

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Shareen Bundy, Program and Management Analyst, Office of General Counsel, Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP)

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Carbon and Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Belarus, Russia and the United Arab Emirates

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Spotlight on Commerce:  Llauryn D. Iglehart, Director, Decennial Investigations and Adjudication Office of Civil Rights

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Spotlight on Commerce: Llauryn D. Iglehart, Director, Decennial Investigations and Adjudication Office of Civil Rights

I grew up in Columbia, Maryland. The family motto passed down from my parents is, “To whom much is given, much is expected and required.” During segregation, my mother and father were trailblazers. My mother was a pediatrician, and hospital medical director, and my father was a criminal attorney. They were devoted to the principle that all of us are created equal, and one of the greatest equalizers is education. As Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” I am a proud alumna of Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, and The University of Baltimore Law School.

My passion, life’s work, and entire 20-year federal career has been devoted to ensuring equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion. I chose to work in the federal government to expand my impact from the state to the national level.  I believe all individuals should have an equal opportunity to enjoy the benefits and privileges of the workplace.  Equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion are integral to each Federal government agency’s mission and success.  I believe an organization’s success is based on a culture and work environment where the best and the brightest minds, employees with varying perspectives, educational levels, skills, life experiences, and backgrounds work together to achieve excellence and realize an individual’s and organization’s potential.  I presently have the privilege of serving in the Department of Commerce’s Office of Civil Rights as the Director of Decennial Investigations and Adjudication. In this capacity, I am primarily responsible for processing all formal equal employment opportunity complaints by Decennial Census applicants and employees in accordance with EEOC regulations.

When I reflect on Black History Month, I remember that my success and our Nation's success have been driven by countless kind-hearted bold individuals, such as my parents, who were willing to speak out, step up, sacrifice, and change the status quo. I strive to follow in my parents’ footsteps of service to others through community service as a member of the Patapsco River (MD) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.  It is one of the Nation's oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women committed to enriching, sustaining, and ensuring African Americans' culture and economic survival and other persons of African ancestry. I also work with the Rho Xi Omega (MD) Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Incorporated., the oldest Greek-letter organization established by African American college-educated women. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's core values are friendship, integrity, honesty, service, commitment, family relationships, courage, respect for self and others, legacy, confidentiality, responsibility, and accountability. I am proud to be a part of these groups of extraordinary women and trailblazers dedicated to civic change and ensuring equality for all African Americans.

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of Department of Commerce African Americans during Black History Month.

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Llauryn D. Iglehart, Director, Decennial Investigations and Adjudication, Office of Civil Rights

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Llauryn D. Iglehart, Director, Decennial Investigations and Adjudication, Office of Civil Rights

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Carbon and Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Belarus, Russia and the United Arab Emirates

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Spotlight on Commerce: Cheryl Jackson, Program Analyst, Atlanta Regional Office, U.S. Economic Development Administration

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Guest blog post by Cheryl Jackson, Program Analyst, Atlanta Regional Office, U.S. Economic Development Administration

My key responsibility is to support the Partnership Planning, CARES Act Recovery Assistance, University Center, and Indian Tribes non-construction grants for the U. S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) Atlanta Regional Office (ATRO). As such, I review all post-award documentation for technical grant management and implementation, including budget amendments/extensions, payment reimbursements, audit reviews, closeout, and the subsequent grant awards. I also assist in implementing the new processes for the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) to support the performance data collection requirement for EDA.

Before coming to EDA, I worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Grants Management Division, Southeast Regional Office in Atlanta, Georgia, as a financial management specialist. Prior to that position, I worked with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Head Start, Grants Management Division, as the lead grants management coordinator and program specialist. In this position, I proudly helped implement the award of more than $3.5 billion in grants to Head Start/Early Head Start programs and collaborated with state program directors and state officials within Region IV State of Alabama to improve and provide quality childcare services to low-income children and families.

With more than ten years of experience leading and administering grants within the federal government, I was drawn to EDA because of its vision and mission – to ensure sustainable economic growth, diversification, and the creation of jobs throughout the Atlanta region and across the U.S.

I was born in Atlanta, Georgia, where I attended Henry Grady High School and continued my education at Clark Atlanta University, the first Historically Black College and University in south Atlanta. I later transferred to Herzing University to pursue a dual major degree. I received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting, as well as a Master of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Management with honors from Herzing University. During my college experiences, I learned to be selfless, open-minded, and strive towards improving people's lives and helping low-income children and families within my community. It was there that stewardship, determination, resiliency, and a thirst for education was instilled in me.

There are two quotes that continue to motivate, enhance, and keep me focused personally and professionally:

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”
– Maya Angelou

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
–Maya Angelou

Black History Month is a time to celebrate the lives of African Americans who fought to free slaves, secure the right to vote, and achieve equal rights and justice for all. As a child, I enjoyed writing about my favorite black history legends such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and Frederick Douglass and our civil rights heroes who gathered to walk for freedom in Selma Alabama, across the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of Department of Commerce African Americans during Black History Month.

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Cheryl Jackson, Program Analyst, Atlanta Regional Office, U.S. Economic Development Administration

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Cheryl Jackson, Program Analyst, Atlanta Regional Office, U.S. Economic Development Administration

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Carbon and Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Belarus, Russia and the United Arab Emirates

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Spotlight on Commerce: LaRita Jones, Division Chief, Office of Human Resources, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

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Guest blog post by LaRita Jones, Division Chief, Office of Human Resources, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

Black History Month is a time to honor and show gratitude to African Americans who have made contributions – whether extraordinary or minute, well-known or untold – to better humanity in some way. It is a time to express pride as we reflect on a heritage full of triumph over the harshest of adversities and celebrate innovations we have made in the arts, science, and technology and our achievements in politics and business. It is a time to remember the Black heroes of the past while uplifting our heroes of today.

A personal hero of mine is my father, Carl Ross. He was a career Army soldier who served two tours in Vietnam and retired as a master sergeant. He performed his duty with the highest work ethic and took so much pride in defending his country, even when fellow soldiers and officers did not treat him as their equal. I admire him for leading a life of bravery, honor, and integrity despite all the barriers to equality that he faced.

I remember him meticulously pressing his uniform and polishing the toes of his combat boots so perfectly that I could see my reflection. My father taught me that education was the top priority and that hard work starts with showing up and ready to work hard every day. He said that being a committed, responsible individual who can be trusted is important, particularly when things are not fair or favorable. I have leaned on all that my dad taught me about having integrity and dignity, showing up every day, working hard, and treating others with respect – even when I did not receive the same in return.

That advice was especially relevant when I attended the University of Washington to earn a degree in Sociology. There were few African Americans enrolled here and it was not always easy. As a way to connect with other students of color, I joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and volunteered in communities with other Black sororities and fraternities.

It was through this sisterhood that I gained a deeper understanding of, and reverence for, my African American heritage, which is filled with heroes who continue to break barriers still today. With immense pride, I have witnessed the election of the first female, and first African American vice president Kamala Harris, who is also a member of our illustrious sorority.

Seeing my father give his entire career in service to his country and then joining an organization rooted in service to humanity, a career in public service was a natural fit for me. Currently, I serve as the division chief of a high-functioning team of human resources professionals responsible for recruitment, classification, and staffing consultation in support of the Patents business unit.

I extend my father’s advice to my employees and I can see in their work ethic that they share the same passion as I do for connecting top Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) talent with fulfilling careers at the Commerce Department’s U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Careers in government are more progressive, inclusive, and agile than ever before. Opportunities today seem limitless compared to when I started my own government career. And I am proud to work at an agency that champions diversity and inclusion in the way that the USPTO does.

We are constantly striving to increase recruitment and retention among underrepresented populations as part of one of our agency’s key strategic goals to “recruit, enhance and sustain an engaged workforce.” As we continue to build deeper and more meaningful relationships to attract, hire, and retain talent from historically Black colleges and universities, Hispanic serving institutions, tribal and community institutions, and women in STEM organizations, it is my hope to see the USPTO significantly boost each of these employee groups in the years to come.

I also hope that my work in some way—whether extraordinary or minute—inspires students at those institutions who may not yet grasp that their personal and professional opportunities are indeed limitless, thanks in large part to the contributions of African Americans in this country.

Each celebration of Black History Month means that there is another opportunity to celebrate African American heroes. Hopefully, it also motivates and encourages future generations to value themselves and fully appreciate all they can become.

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of Department of Commerce African Americans during Black History Month.

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LaRita Jones, Division Chief, Office of Human Resources, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

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LaRita Jones, Division Chief, Office of Human Resources, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Carbon and Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Belarus, Russia and the United Arab Emirates

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Spotlight on Commerce: Sheree Cheung, Program Analyst, Office of Advocacy Center, International Trade Administration (ITA)

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Sheree Cheung, Program Analyst, Office of Advocacy Center, International Trade Administration (ITA)

My name is Sheree Cheung, and I have had the pleasure of serving as the Program Analyst within the International Trade Administration’s (ITA’s), Advocacy Center for the past 11 years. The Advocacy Center works on behalf of U.S. businesses and workers to help level the playing field around the globe for businesses competing for international contracts against foreign firms. Our office also promotes the growth of exports of U.S. goods and services around the world.

I love what I do and am motivated each and every day to give my all-both in my professional and personal life. I have a background in business management and, as the Program Analyst, I manage the office’s administrative functions (i.e., budget, HR, procurements, travel, property, security) and I find pleasure in being able to oversee these portfolios. I started my career in government as a student aide at both the Library of Commerce and the Department of Defense. In 1996, I joined the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). In 2006, I became part of the ITA family, where prior to the Advocacy Center, I worked in the Global Markets office. I chose federal service because it was where my family worked and served, and my high school offered the ‘Work-Study Program’ that helped get my foot in the door.

I grew up in Prince George’s County, Maryland and, not too long ago, moved to Charles County. I graduated from Parkdale Senior High School and completed several business courses at Prince George’s Community College. I have been a member of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Maryland for over 17 years and my daily goal is to ‘Do Better and Be Better.”  I am influenced by my mother and the many lessons she’s instilled in me. I try to live by her words every day. Her words never fell on deaf ears. She taught me that I must travel my own journey, fall on my own, and know how to get up, dust myself off and keep trying. As a member of the Grace Girl Gathering ministry, I try to carry these lessons instilled by my mother by providing support to other women, wives, and mothers.

Black History Month means to me that my voice and my actions matter.  So many before me worked very hard to ensure I have the opportunities they did not have. I no longer take that for granted. Today I am a proud civil servant. My pride was instilled in me along with the values to care about others, help where I can and want the best for everyone. My advice to today’s youth interested in a Federal government career is this: Life is what you make it. No job is too big or too small because everything and everyone matters. And, finally, never be afraid to step up and do your part.

The motto I try to live by came from my experiences as a parent and the way my own mother raised me: To live life one day at a time and try to fulfill God’s purpose for my life through my everyday actions at both home and at work.

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of Department of Commerce African Americans during Black History Month.

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Sheree Cheung, Program Analyst, Office of Advocacy Center, International Trade Administration (ITA)

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Sheree Cheung, Program Analyst, Office of Advocacy Center, International Trade Administration (ITA)

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Carbon and Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Belarus, Russia and the United Arab Emirates

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Spotlight on Commerce:  Evan B. Forde, Oceanographer, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory

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Guest blog post by Evan B. Forde, Oceanographer, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory

I am an Oceanographer at the Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory. Currently, my work is focused on several areas of scientific research including analyzing satellite sensor data and identifying critical atmospheric conditions related to hurricane formation and intensification. Part of my work responsibility involves assisting our computer system administrator with networked computing risk assessment and threat mitigation. I also create contingency plans and training exercises to ensure the resiliency of our laboratory’s essential computing elements.

I grew up in Miami, Florida, and attended Miami-Dade County public schools. I earned a bachelor’s degree in Geology (with an oceanography specialty) and a master’s degree in Marine Geology and Geophysics from Columbia University in New York City. I am proud of a 46-year career as a Federal employee, working hard as a career civil servant on behalf of the American people each day. To me, the phrase “good enough for government work” challenges me to do my job even better and more than anyone can reasonably expect.

I would tell youth interested in a government career that Federal employment is rewarding and has many benefits. Employment in the Federal government is protected by laws that uphold workers’ rights and promote fairness. I have never served my country in our military, but I often remind myself that each workday, I am serving my fellow citizens and that always brings a smile to my face.

In my personal time, I strive to foster youth development and improve my community. I have served as a PTA president, scoutmaster, youth basketball coach, Sunday school and youth church teacher, church webmaster, neighborhood Crime Watch chairman, HOA vice president, on the board of directors for a Boys and Girls Club, and in numerous other roles that have strengthened my community and me as a person.

My father was my greatest mentor. When I was troubled or struggling in life, my dad would sometimes remind me of this quote from the poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling:

“If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,

And—which is more—you’ll be a man, my son!”

This quote always makes me want to do my very best and give all I’ve got to every challenge.

As I reflect during Black History Month, I am more aware of black Americans’ substantial contributions to our country and mankind. This enhanced awareness not only helps to create a sense of pride in me but inspires me to be an inspiration to others.

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of Department of Commerce African Americans during Black History Month.

To learn more about Mr. Forde’s work, visit:

https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/evan-forde

http://www.moptopshop.com/forde_evan.html

https://www.postnewsgroup.com/evan-b-forde-versatile-pioneer-in-ocean-research/

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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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Evan B. Forde, Oceanographer, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory

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Evan B. Forde, Oceanographer, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Carbon and Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Belarus, Russia and the United Arab Emirates

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Spotlight on Commerce: Charryse Shell, Management and Program Analyst, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

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Charryse Shell, Management and Program Analyst, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

I am a Management and Program Analyst in the Office of Policy Analysis and Development at the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). I assist the team by providing day-to-day program and office management. This includes handling the budget, purchasing and travel management, timekeeping, research assistance, interagency meeting coordination, and providing executive assistance to NTIA’s Associate Administrator.

I grew up in Capitol Heights, Maryland.  Because of rising crime, my family moved to Sterling, Virginia, where I attended Park View High School. It was a culture shock, to say the least!  After graduation, I attended St. Paul’s College, a small historically black college (HBCU) in rural Lawrenceville, VA, where I studied Marketing and Mass Communications. This school is very near and dear to my heart because it was the only HBCU in Brunswick County, where my maternal grandmother and paternal grandfather were both raised. While at St. Paul’s I was able, for the first time, to learn more about my culture in a formal setting and the accomplishments of men like James Solon Russell, who was able to create an educational institution for African Americans in rural, segregated Virginia. Sadly, St. Paul’s College closed in 2013, but there are multiple alumni and community efforts to re-open the school and continue its educational tradition.

For me, Black History month is a time to celebrate the vast, far-reaching accomplishments of African Americans here in America and around the world. Notably, the contributions of the everyday men and women who have worked to attain equality and better lives for their community and are often not recognized enough when the story of our history is told. My maternal great-grandfather and grandfather gave their blood, sweat and tears to ensure the longevity of the very thing that defined them: the farm that my family has operated for over 150 years. Originally the farm was full of vegetables, livestock, timber, tobacco, and a sawmill. Today, at the age of 70, my uncle tends to the land, alongside his two sons and grandson (who is studying Agricultural Business at Virginia Tech). He no longer raises livestock and the mill is no longer operational. Therefore, his focus is on tobacco, timber, and his vegetable farm.  One day his sons will take over the farm and this tradition will hopefully live on for generations to come.

My family fostered a spirit of service to our community; be it assisting your neighbor, the local food bank, or serving as a pollster for a national election. Helping others is a part of our DNA and being a civil servant is an honor that I believe all federal employees should embrace.  The jobs that we do are purposefully designed to support essential missions and assist the American people. But lest we forget, slavery and the years of segregation that followed were not so long ago. During our Nation’s history, the rights of African American citizens were not always recognized and many in the Black community relied heavily on coming together to support each other. My great-grandfather was a leader in his community. He was an entrepreneur, an employer, a provider, and a teacher of his trade. He created an American reality in a space where attaining the American dream was not meant for people like him. He passed down his philosophy of hard work, brotherhood, and compassion to his family. We, in turn, continue to pass this on to our children today in honor of him and those like him.

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of Department of Commerce African Americans during Black History Month.

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Charryse Shell, Management and Program Analyst, National Telecommunications, and Information Administration (NTIA)

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Charryse Shell, Management and Program Analyst, National Telecommunications, and Information Administration (NTIA)

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Carbon and Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Belarus, Russia and the United Arab Emirates

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Spotlight on Commerce: Scott Woods, Senior Broadband Program Specialist, National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA)

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Guest blog post by Scott Woods, Senior Broadband Program Specialist, National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA)

I am a Senior Broadband Program Specialist with the Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) BroadbandUSA Program promoting the expansion of broadband access across America. In my role, I manage the BroadbandUSA Technical Assistance Program and serve as a principal liaison between BroadbandUSA and key strategic partners and external stakeholder groups.  This includes representatives from state and local governments, telecommunications companies, for-profit and non-profit corporations and colleges and universities. Prior to my BroadbandUSA management responsibilities, I also worked to increase broadband access and oversaw  numerous broadband  network  projects  within the  Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), including  projects  in  California, Arizona,  Virginia,  Georgia,  Florida,  Louisiana,  Texas,  West  Virginia,  Arkansas,  Hawaii,  Puerto  Rico  and the  U.S. Virgin Islands.

I am originally from Detroit, Michigan where I learned the values of hard work, education, and civic responsibility. I grew up with a love of sports and played organized basketball, football, tennis, track and field and baseball. My affinity for team sports and the lessons they provide regarding competition, teamwork, hard work, and character has today transferred into coaching and mentoring. I currently serve as the Offensive Coordinator and Wide Receiver Coach for the varsity football team at Hayfield Secondary School in Alexandria, VA.

The people who influenced me the most would be my grandmother and my mother. Collectively, they taught me how to balance hard work and ambition with grace, love, and thoughtfulness. Additionally, I find the writings of James Baldwin and Dr. Cornell West as influential and thoughtful approaches to address our complicated history regarding race, racism, diversity, and inclusion.

I received a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia; a Master of Arts in Public Policy from American University in Washington, D.C.; and a Juris Doctor from Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C. Prior to working in NTIA, I served as an Associate Attorney in the Telecommunications, Media and Technology Group at Swidler Berlin/Bingham McCutchen LLP in Washington, D.C. While at Morehouse, I had the opportunity to serve as a student intern for the late Maynard Jackson, then Mayor of the City of Atlanta, and served as a student employee on the community-based outreach team for Atlanta’s Committee for the Olympic Games in the years leading up to the 1996 Olympic Games.

For me, Black History Month provides an opportunity to document the achievement of African Americans beyond slavery, civil rights, entertainment, and sports. But to also highlight their major contributions in science, technology, medicine, philosophy, and religion. More importantly, African American and Black history should be acknowledged and celebrated every day not only in America but around the world.

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of Department of Commerce African Americans during Black History Month.

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Scott Woods, Senior Broadband Program Specialist, National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA)

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Scott Woods, Senior Broadband Program Specialist, National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA)

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Carbon and Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Belarus, Russia and the United Arab Emirates

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Spotlight on Commerce: Terri L. Batch, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, International Trade Administration

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Guest blog post by Terri L. Batch, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, International Trade Administration

Black History Month is a time of reflection and celebration. We celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of African Americans throughout the world.  It is an opportunity for us to tell the stories that enlighten us about our past and inspire the next generation.

As a lifelong public servant, I recognize that the work that I am privileged to do was not always accessible to African Americans. In telling my story, I honor all those who came before me with their courage to sacrifice that enabled me to live the life and career that I enjoy today. My story includes my biological and church family, professors, mentors, colleagues, and so many others who have helped me along my path. I acknowledge my ancestors, my husband and two daughters, and the countless people within my sphere of influence. As Maya Angelou so eloquently stated, “I come as one, but stand as 10,000.”

For the past 18 years, I have worked in the West Los Angeles Office of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) U.S. Commercial Service. I have served as a Global Team Leader for the Global Design & Construction Team working with architecture, engineering, and construction companies. My efforts earned me an individual Bronze Medal Award recognition for Superior Federal Service. I also served as the Founding Team Leader for the Global China Team. During my tenure on the Global China Team, I not only established a new global team, but I was also able to use my hard-earned Mandarin language skills. I traveled throughout China, regularly interacting with our U.S. mission colleagues, and created promotional activities to help U.S. companies succeed in a challenging market.  Most recently, I worked on outreach to minority-and women-owned companies for global expansion. Amid so many challenges, my work directly supports the U.S. economy and helps U.S. companies access and compete in markets around the world.

In the summer of 2020, amid a global pandemic and social unrest following the killing of George Floyd, Black employees within ITA recognized that there was a missing component in our bureau. We did not have a recognized and sustainable infrastructure that focused on supporting Black employees. We lacked an affinity group that galvanized support for diversity and ensured an inclusive environment where Black employees could be seen and thrive professionally. I worked collaboratively with colleagues throughout ITA to create B-BOLD, Blacks Building Opportunities to Leverage Diversity. I am currently serving as the inaugural president of the group. I hope that through our work, we will create a space that not only benefits Black employees, but all employees of ITA and beyond. Our group is intentionally focused on building a pipeline for recruitment, retention, and promotion of Black employees, supporting our mental health, and developing outreach opportunities to Black-owned businesses with resources for exporting.

The biggest influences in my life have been my biological family and extended church family. My roots are in South Georgia, where I grew up around a host of relatives who instilled in me hard work, integrity, and determination at an early age. I’ve always understood that if I were to achieve anything of significance, I would have to work hard to achieve it. I grew up in church surrounded by a community of believers that put God first and lived out their faith in tangible ways through community service. The missionaries that I admired influenced my interest in international affairs and my perspective on the human condition. It is because of this influence that I work as unto the Lord and seek reward and recognition from a heavenly source. My faith has played a major role in my life and has enabled me to take risks and to pursue interests that were not expected of a young African American girl from a home of divorced parents and limited resources.

Another major influence in my life was the decision to attend Spelman College in Atlanta, GA.  As a Historically Black College and University specifically for women, Spelman gave me the confidence and the foundation that I needed.  I count it a true privilege to have been educated and nurtured in the same environment as trailblazers such as political powerhouse Stacey Abrams and Rosalind Brewer, soon to be the only Black female CEO of a Fortune 500 company.    Just like these two ladies, I’ve had to overcome many challenges, but when I look back at my undergraduate experience, I am so grateful that I was in an empowering environment that opened many doors for me to grow and develop.

While a student at Spelman College, I participated in the National Security Education Program (Boren Fellowship) to study in Beijing, China during the summer and fall semester of my junior year. For the first time, leaving the United States to live in China for six months was a life-changing experience. During that time, I learned to love the language, culture and people of China and knew that I wanted a career that engaged the country. At Spelman, a professor handed me a pamphlet and encouraged me to apply for a Fellowship called the Ronald H. Brown/Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation with the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration. He knew of my interest in international affairs and China. It was an interest that wasn’t related to my chosen major of Computer Science, but I still pursued the fellowship and was awarded the full-ride scholarship for my remaining two years and a portion of my graduate school studies. When I was awarded the fellowship, it opened a whole new world to me. I participated in a Summer Institute at the University of California Berkeley as a part of the Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) program. That experience introduced me to an area of study I had never considered, Public Administration, and prepared me to compete and apply for graduate school successfully.

After Spelman, I attended the University of Southern California (USC), where I received my master’s degree in Public Administration. While at USC, a professor in the School of International Relations introduced me to the International Chinese Language Program (ICLP) at the National Taiwan University in Taipei, Taiwan. I applied for and received a graduate fellowship, known as Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS), that covered my expenses to attend an intensive language program for a year. This program enabled me to continue improving my Mandarin, Chinese language skills and studying at the top university in Taiwan. During my time in Taiwan, I traveled throughout the island and around southeast Asia to Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. It was a time of great exploration and discovery as my world view was expanded through exposure to new cultures, languages, and history.  After my language studies, I returned to Los Angeles and completed my master’s degree at USC while also studying Mandarin.

After graduation from USC, I remained in Southern California to begin my career and eventually my family. I received the Commerce Department’s Ronald H. Brown Fellowship, which provided me with a pathway to work in the West Los Angeles Office of ITA’s U.S. Commercial Service. Since then, I have spent my career working in international trade. Los Angeles is a strategic player in international trade and being in Southern California has afforded me many opportunities to work with great partners and companies.

Throughout this journey, I have had to prove not only to myself but to others that I am capable and can achieve excellence. I operate from my core values: love, mercy, grace, diligence, commitment, and superior service. When I face challenges and obstacles, I remember the words of my mother, “the sky is the limit” and those of my grandmother to “keep looking up.”  Their words have comforted me and sustained me over the years.  And, I am always humbled when my mother proudly tells me, “My, my, my, you’ve come a mighty long way.”

To those of you who are students or still early in your career, I encourage you to seek opportunities to grow and expand.  Most of the fellowships that I received are still in existence and are a wonderful means to gain international experience if you are interested in a foreign language or culture, I also would  advise you to take the road less traveled and to not be afraid to undertake difficult tasks. The hard things we pursue in life build our character and our stamina to endure when the inevitable challenges of life come our way. I also encourage you to build your network.  Make a habit of talking to people who are outside of your comfort zone and reach out to others to offer your time and talents to support their pursuits. Through these efforts, you will learn so much and you will build trust and relationships that will serve you well throughout your career and life.

And finally, in closing, I leave this quote from Carter G. Woodson, the founder of Black History Month.

“We should emphasize not Negro History, but the Negro in history. What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world, void of national bias, race, hate, and religious prejudice. There should be no indulgence in undue eulogy of the Negro. The case of the Negro is well taken care of when it is shown how he has far influenced the development of civilization.”

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of Department of Commerce African Americans during Black History Month.

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Terri L. Batch, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, International Trade Administration

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Terri L. Batch, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, International Trade Administration

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Carbon and Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Belarus, Russia and the United Arab Emirates

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Spotlight on Commerce: Shahara Warren, Supervisory Consumer Safety Officer, Fisheries Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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Guest blog by: Shahara Warren, Supervisory Consumer Safety Officer, Fisheries’ Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

My responsibility as Supervisory Consumer Safety Officer at the Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is to provide leadership and guidance to a team of Consumer Safety Officers who evaluate, certify for export and ensure compliance with applicable food safety regulations for seafood vessels, processing plants, and retail facilities. Our officers provide seafood inspection services to the seafood industry nationwide, as well as in U.S. territories and foreign countries.

I’m a Cali-girl. Born and raised in the South Bay area of Los Angeles, I got my start in a career centered on safety by first volunteering in the safety department of the L.A. County Health Department. From there, I served in the U.S. Army as a Preventive Medicine Specialist, where I my primary focus was in Environmental Health and Safety. That led to me training with the Army Veterinary Services and working in food safety. While still in the Army, I completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences with a concentration in Community Health at the California State University, Dominguez Hills. After receiving my bachelors and honorable discharge from the Army, I was accepted into a Master of Public Administration program where I completed coursework in the public management track.

In my personal capacity, I have been a Girl Scout Co-Leader of 6-12th grade girls for more than 10 years. I also founded my own non-profit organization called The E.M.B.R.A.C.E. Experience and was recently awarded 501(c)(3) status. My organization was created to mentor girls and develop their leadership skills and confidence using various cultural activities and experiences.

I seek influence from many sources. Outside of seeking guidance from the Bible, I often go back to a quote that says, “Do what you can, where you are, with what you have.” That has been the mantra that helps me to keep moving forward toward accomplishing my goals. I find that if I remember to just start where I am and stop looking for the perfect opportunity, I will get more accomplished.

To me, Black History Month means taking time to realize the contributions and sacrifices made by those who came before me. It means understanding my responsibility to honor and celebrate my ancestors in the presence of my daughters and nieces and teach them about their roots and culture.

My advice to youth interested in careers with the Federal government would be to understand what it means to serve others. Since you will be in a public service position, you must be clear that the public is your priority. Their interests, needs and expectations depend on your work. You must remember that your work as a public servant should be done with dignity, integrity, and honor. Also realize that just like any other career, you can create the path you want. Don't be afraid to ask questions and take a chance on trying new things.

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of Department of Commerce African Americans during Black History Month.

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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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Shahara Warren, Supervisory Consumer Safety Officer, Fisheries Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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Shahara Warren, Supervisory Consumer Safety Officer, Fisheries Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Carbon and Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Belarus, Russia and the United Arab Emirates

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Spotlight on Commerce: Tamarind Murietta, Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service in Mozambique

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Guest blog post by Tamarind Murietta, Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service in Mozambique

American diplomacy is a critical piece of the global puzzle. As a student of International Relations, how could I consider any other profession? Today I work for the Department of Commerce’s U.S. Foreign Commercial Service (USFCS) in Mozambique. My job is to represent America to many parts of the world—commercially, politically, socially, and culturally. As a diplomat, our oath is to the U.S. Constitution and ensuring American democracy is protected worldwide. The USFCS is devoted to assisting U.S. companies’ export to international markets, as well as, promoting commercial diplomacy and relations. For a Least Developed Country, this can be the reason a mother gets a job with a U.S. company making wages to feed, clothe and shelter her entire extended family.

As the Senior Commercial Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Mozambique, I get to wake up every day and promote U.S. – Mozambique commercial relations. In an average day, our team can advocate to a foreign minister about an important trade policy, build partnerships with local African businesses and organizations, and plan an upcoming trade mission or participate in an event with international stakeholders debating the U.S. Government (USG) view on a new reform. Sometimes these actions take long hours, but they are always rewarding.

Born in New York City, I had the incredible honor of being surrounded by a smorgasbord of ethnicities learning the power of their differences and the uniqueness of America. Eventually, our family moved to West Palm Beach, Florida, which offered another perspective of how compelling international influence can be for our democracy and how America is the global leader ensuring freedom around the world. I have fond memories of walking to the park in Queens and watching elders from dozens of countries play their favorite games while sitting on and around the park benches. And I was always intrigued by passing beautiful mansions in Florida, hearing the stories of multinational business owners and how they became international business leaders in their respective industries. And, as our Nation honors Black History Month, I am reminded of how much these compelling visuals would stick with me as I refine my interests and mature.

Going through the college application rigmarole, I never expected I would be considered or offered financial support to attend Florida’s flagship university–The University of Florida. While studying, I was regularly enticed by a diverse political landscape and was as involved in extra-curricular organizations as I was in preparing for examinations. International Students Association, Black Student Union, Project Sea World, Multicultural Affairs Cabinet, Florida Blue Key Leadership Honorary, and the list goes on. If you had a cause, I was there. I loved the almost daily discourse I had with others that had a different disposition, character, or background. These conversations last in my soul today and help drive my passion.

Two years after graduating from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations, I attended graduate school at the University of London, King’s College. This was my first foray outside of the United States for which I received my master’s degree in International Relations.

Your view of the world can widen broadly when given the chance to live in communities in differing states and nations. Diplomats have the privilege of rising to the same sun yet dancing to a different beat as they move to various locations around the world every couple of years.  There is not one day living overseas that I have not been given the chance to learn or grow. Volunteering and mentoring incredible young people have taught me more than I could ever dream to teach them. I have had the opportunity to judge a science fair for Muslim girls who leapfrogged technology in their community of Mombasa, Kenya by developing innovative solutions to life’s everyday problems. I have had the opportunity to mentor young women fighting through a male-dominated world and who have the character and tenacity to challenge the status quo to be the future leaders of their country Mozambique. I have made lunches for orphans in New Delhi whose highlight of the week is finding a bed to lay their head and having a wholesome lunch. I have participated in fundraising for a new elementary school in the Soweto township in South Africa for children who may or may not have the luxury to attend school on any given day. All these programs have certainly made me a more aware person and is a daily reminder how valuable our freedom and prosperity truly are in America.

After being sworn-in as a Foreign Service Officer with U.S. Commerce Department in 2014, I wrote a column for the American Foreign Service Association's monthly publication recognizing my indomitable, genuine, classy grandmother for whom there are not enough synonyms to truly summarize her entire spirit. My walking on her shoulders has allowed me to be the person I am today both professionally and personally. Although she was Valedictorian of her class specializing in English literature, she was never able to get more than a job as a maid or secretary because of the color of her skin. Before she passed in 2018 and my last time holding her hand, we recited ‘Invictus’ out loud together. It was her last way of reminding me that ‘I am the master of my fate and the captain of my soul.’

For those young people who have stumbled across this posting or received it when a loving family member shared using their favorite social media platform, I would say this: The world is waiting. America must do a better job at reflecting the diversity of our country through its diplomatic corps. Sometimes people don’t expect someone who looks like me to show up. But I am here. You are here. We need your skills, talents, background, and experience to truly ensure America is well represented and that our voices are a part of the global conversation.

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of Department of Commerce African Americans during Black History Month.

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 Tamarind Murietta, Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service in Mozambique

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 Tamarind Murietta, Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service in Mozambique

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Carbon and Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Belarus, Russia and the United Arab Emirates

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Spotlight on Commerce: Sandranette Moses, Chief Information Security Officer and Development Team Leader, U.S. Economic Development Administration

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Guest blog by Sandranette Moses, Chief Information Security Officer and Development Team Leader, U.S. Economic Development Administration

I serve as the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and Development Team Leader at the Commerce Department’s U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA). I have served as the CISO at EDA for over 20 years. I am directly involved with all of EDA’s IT modernization projects currently underway.

I was raised in Brooklyn, New York. My family moved to Portsmouth, Virginia, which is where my mother is originally from, after my first year in high school. I attended college at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia, and have a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics with a minor in Business. My parents always instilled in my siblings and me the importance of education and pushed us to take advantage of the opportunities our education provided.

Since then, I have continued to seek more knowledge through education and training opportunities. I have earned several professional certifications including Oracle Developer, Oracle Database Administrator, Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), and Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Foundation.

I believe in giving back to the community and serving others. I do this by being active in my church and sorority. I am energetically involved in my church, Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church, and have served in the Ebenezer Liturgical Dance Ministry since 2001 in many leadership roles. I am also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the first black sorority, established in 1908. Alpha Kappa Alpha’s mission is to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, to promote unity and friendship among college women, to study and help alleviate problems concerning girls and women to improve their social stature, to maintain a progressive interest in college life, and to be of ‘Service to All Mankind.’ I am also proudly involved in my sorority graduate chapter, Psi Epsilon Omega (PEO), and have served in several leadership roles.

Whenever I meet young people starting their careers, I encourage them to do something that they love. I believe if you are doing something you love, it makes the work easier and helps sustain you through the challenges you may encounter in your career. I also urge today’s youth to work in a field that they’re passionate about, even if it’s not the exact position or level you wanted. If you work hard, it can lead to something bigger and it will get noticed and rewarded, and lead to new opportunities. It’s also important to remember you cannot work alone in the process; you must learn to work with others along the way. When you work as a team member, this will lead you to success. This holds especially true in the IT world.

Below is a quote that I like named “Working Together” that holds in my career path:

Coming Together Is a Beginning

Keeping Together Is Progress

Working Together Is Success

Author: Unknown

Black History Month is a time to celebrate and reflect on the rich culture and contributions that African Americans have made to our great nation. In celebration of Black History Month, I salute the African Americans that have come before me. These are the shoulders I stand on. These great people that have come before me have allowed me to be in the roles I hold today and dream of future possibilities. I work hard every day to make them proud. To be a good example for other African Americans coming after me, by always seeking ways to improve myself and what I can accomplish.

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of Department of Commerce African Americans during Black History Month.

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Carbon and Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Belarus, Russia and the United Arab Emirates

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Spotlight on Commerce: Dr. Larry Alade, Supervisory Research Fishery Biologist, Fisheries’ Northeast Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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Guest blog by Larry Alade, Supervisory Research Fishery Biologist, Fisheries’ Northeast Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

I am a research fishery biologist and a task leader for the Population Dynamics Branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) s Northeast Fisheries Science Center at the Woods Hole Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. My primary role as a research fishery biologist is to investigate and develop models to assess the health of fish populations in the region and to advise the federal fishery management process. This involves studying and monitoring changes in fish abundance, distribution, and demographics (such as size, age, and sex); measuring and quantifying impacts of fishing activity, and understanding biological and physical processes within the ecosystem that contribute to the observed changes in the fishery resource.

As a task leader, I provide leadership support to the day-to-day operations and lead several groundfish stock assessments in the region including yellowtail flounder, American plaice, and whiting. I also serve as the NOAA representative on the New England Fishery Management Council’s Small-Mesh Whiting Planning Development Team. In addition to my domestic fisheries responsibilities, I am a member of the Advisory Committee of the International Council for Exploration of the Seas, which supports the advisory process for more than 200 European fish stocks.
I was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. Around age six, my family moved back to their home country of Nigeria. I spent most of my formative childhood years growing up in the city of Ile-Ife, a small ancient city of the Yoruba tribe located in the southwestern region of Nigeria. Due to the political and economic instability in Nigeria, my family decided to move back to the United States in the early 1990s to Brooklyn, New York, where I completed high school at age 16.

I completed my Bachelor’s degree in Biology at the University of Maryland College Park with the original intent of pursuing a medical degree. Little did I know, my interests would evolve after taking a few courses in calculus during my sophomore year in college. Over time, I developed a keen interest in mathematics and applied statistics, but I was still uncertain about my academic path.

In search of a new direction after my undergraduate studies, I pursued several experiential opportunities within the IT industry from data processing to computer networking. Through these experiences, I was able to redirect my focus and consider a degree in computer programming. In 2000, I was accepted into a master’s degree program in applied computer science at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES). Unfortunately, the job market after graduation was challenging, and I again needed to reevaluate my career path. During this transition, I learned about a unique internship program jointly hosted by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center and Jackson State University. The program was a four-week introductory course on population dynamics followed by a six-week hands-on experience at an assigned NOAA research facility.

During the summer of 2003, I was assigned to intern at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center at the Woods Hole Laboratory. I truly enjoyed this work and decided to go back to school to pursue a graduate degree in Marine Estuary and Environmental Sciences at UMES. As a graduate student, I had the opportunity to work with the Cooperative Research Program at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center with a focus on tracking fish populations using large-scale mark-recapture studies in the region. Through this experience, I served as chief scientist on several Cooperative Research cruises on fishing industry vessels and led a field study design and development of analyses to further refine the estimation of fish tag recoveries from mark-recapture modeling efforts. I was able to develop my graduate dissertation work from this large-scale Cooperative Research Program effort, with emphasis on model development and performance testing of a spatially-explicit simulation model for yellowtail flounder.

Upon completion of my doctoral degree, I began my career as a fishery biologist with the Northeast Fisheries Science Center and it has been a gratifying experience. Population dynamics is a challenging field and can be frustrating, but it is also somehow rewarding. It has a direct impact on livelihoods and communities and it is important to me to contribute to this process. Working in a region with a very dynamic and complex marine ecosystem, there has never been a shortage of learning opportunities and professional growth.

In addition to my primary responsibilities, I take pride in supporting activities related to diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and I have had the pleasure to mentor students and staff from a range of backgrounds. Locally, I am a member of the Woods Hole Diversity Advisory Committee and co-chair of the Woods Hole Black History Month committee.

In my spare time, I serve as committee treasurer for our local Boys Scout organization on Cape Cod. More recently, I have been volunteering at my church, serving on the tech team to support weekly programming for both remote and in-person attendance.

From my perspective, the significance of Black History Month is not only to commemorate the great achievements and contributions of many African Americans but also to recognize and appreciate the legacy of African Americans in the American narrative. Carter G. Woodson, an African American historian and founder of Negro History Week in the early 1920’s, said, “If a race has no history or worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world.” As such, I believe Black History Month establishes a framework to support equal rights for African Americans through a value system that cannot be otherwise achieved through legislation. I also think that Black History Month is a reminder that we stand on the shoulders of many who paved the way to ensure a better future for our Nation.

As a federal civil servant, I recognize the inherent connection between the legacy of those who sacrificed and created opportunities for me today. It is important that I use my platform to reciprocate, by giving back to the communities we serve.

As a marine science professional, I hope that one day our workforce will begin to mirror the community we serve, by continuing to expand opportunities to talent from underrepresented populations who are capable of ensuring the future economic and cultural sustainability of marine resources and communities.

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of Department of Commerce African Americans during Black History Month.

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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Carbon and Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Belarus, Russia and the United Arab Emirates

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Spotlight on Commerce: Alma Plummer, Economic Development Representative for the State of Maryland and District of Columbia, Philadelphia Regional Office, U.S. Economic Development Administration

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Guest blog by Alma Plummer, Economic Development Representative for the State of Maryland and District of Columbia, Philadelphia Regional Office, U.S. Economic Development Administration

I serve as the Economic Development Representative for the State of Maryland and District of Columbia at the Commerce Department’s U.S. Economic Development Administration. Specifically, I develop and manage economic development investments in these areas on behalf of EDA. My key role is to solicit, analyze, monitor, and conduct quality assurance of investments that align with EDA’s funding priorities. I cultivate relationships with key businesses, educational institutions, civic community organizations, and local government partners. I also assess regional economic trends, strengths, and weaknesses to identify the highest-impact policy-priority projects in economically distressed regions.

My parents are from South and North Carolina, however, I grew up in Newark, New Jersey. Growing up in Newark heightened my awareness of the lack of investment among distressed communities. Unlike my immediate neighborhood, there was a large faction of deep-rooted blight and under-housed communities that I realized early in my youth needed to be revitalized. As a college student intern with the city of Newark, I had the opportunity to play a significant role in the changing fabric of Newark with pre-development design collaborations focused on major commercial corridors and improved transit hubs.

I graduated from the New Jersey Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Architecture degree while participating in the Urban Planning joint program at Rutgers University. My collegiate education and work experience led me to serve as an architect in the tri-state New Jersey-New York-Pennsylvania region. Working in concert with many multifaceted public and private partnerships and creative financing projects led to a desire to work in economic development. As Vice President of Project Management and Planning at the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC), I managed a team of professionals that oversaw a variety of multi-million-dollar economic development projects on behalf of the city of Philadelphia.

I am currently a 30-year member of the prestigious and international Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and follow its mission to be a ‘Service to all Mankind.’ Currently, I serve on impactful committees that support collegiate scholarships, community grants to small grassroots organizations, youth mentorship programs, community disaster relief, preparedness and recovery outreach, health awareness education, Historically Black College or University connection, and support economic legacy and global impact.

I serve as an Occupation Advisory Council member for the Philadelphia School District and West Philadelphia High School, advising and mentoring educators that advise students that want to pursue career paths in design, architecture, construction trades, and engineering. I also assist with developing curriculum, making technical equipment decisions, arranging student trips and tours, arrange lectures, and preparing students for interviews and in-class presentations.

My Mom’s journey of life’s obstacles, courage, love of family, strength, and determination, and dedication to ensuring her family received opportunities to prosper and grow was the first and will be the last, most influential person to me. As a Newark Ward Leader, she exposed me to various community issues, and I admired her eloquent demeanor in challenging many city leaders to create policy changes. She never sought to stand down when her community was under siege or in financial need of quality of life changes. I hope I have acquired some of her essence.

History guides our future. When looking back on the role models that laid the groundwork of my life, I pay homage to them each day. Although our Nation observes February as Black History Month, my family, friends, and associates celebrate the accomplishments of long-lost ancestors and our youth of today through daily conversations and various gatherings throughout the year. February highlights generations of tireless fighters that have passed along their strength and struggles.

At the beginning of my Federal government career, I struggled being a civil servant. I thought stringent regulations and limited funding would be burdensome and constricting. However, I was challenged to think creatively, leverage collaborations, and always see benefits before despair. Civil servants are empowered to ensure the public receives opportunities to improve the quality of their lives. I enjoy my role at EDA and the results of the hard work that promotes physical and cultural environmental progression.

In closing, the following quotes have inspired and continue to inspire both my personal and professional life. These quotes resonate with how to approach some of the hardest decisions and life challenges laid before you.

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” James Baldwin

“If you are always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” Maya Angelou

In other words, don’t ponder, instead amplify the magic you behold!

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of Department of Commerce African Americans during Black History Month.

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Carbon and Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Belarus, Russia and the United Arab Emirates

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Spotlight on Commerce: Greg Brown, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer, U.S. Economic Development Administration 

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Guest blog by Greg Brown, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer, U.S. Economic Development Administration

I am the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer at the Commerce Department’s U.S. Economic Development Administration with broad responsibilities for management of the agency’s budget and finances, human capital resources, administrative support services, information technology resources, and internal administrative and financial control systems.

My professional responsibilities include assisting others in EDA through troubleshooting and implementing business solutions.  I appreciate my role enabling EDA’s network of staff across the Nation and supporting a portfolio of flexible investment mechanisms that help communities, especially those suffering economic distress.

My birthplace is Jacksonville, Florida, where I spent my adolescent years mostly fishing and becoming proficient in tossing a frisbee on the beach. Growing up, I spent time camping, hiking, and backpacking, eventually earning the Eagle Scout award from the Boy Scouts of America.

I attended Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, where I attained a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a minor in Systems Analysis. I then went on to serve in the U.S. Army as a communication specialist at U. S. European Headquarters Command in Stuttgart, Germany. Upon my return, I went back to Morgan State University and attained a Master of Arts in Economics.

Black History Month always provides me with very special reflective moments. While in graduate school, I tutored undergraduate students in statistics and economics in office space in the campus library.  To my great pleasure, the office space next door was occupied by a near-legendary scholar, Dr. Benjamin Quarles, the retired long-time Dean of the History Department at Morgan State University. Professor Quarles was an American historian, educator, and writer, whose knowledge centered on black American social and political history. Many of his books have at times been required reading in African American history courses in many colleges and universities. He was a revered teacher and counselor and I was honored and amazed to have had personal, philosophical, scholarly, and casual conversations with such a pioneer in African American history.  His influence spanned not only my academic studies and point of view but also how I view myself in the world.

After over 30 years in private, public, and non-profit organizations, I have valued being a civil servant not only as a livelihood but also because I truly believe in the benefits of service to others.  As federal employees, we all take an oath to support and defend the U.S. Constitution.  I am proud to have illustrated that devotion through both military and civil service.

The United States Constitution is the world's longest surviving written charter of government. The first three words—"We the People"—affirm that the government of the United States exists to serve all its citizens.

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of Department of Commerce African Americans during Black History Month.

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Carbon and Alloy Steel Wire Rod from Belarus, Russia and the United Arab Emirates

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Commerce's USPTO to Host Women's Entrepreneurship Symposium

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The following is a cross-post from the Commerce Department's U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

The Commerce Department's U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will host the annual Women’s Entrepreneurship Symposium (WES) on March 3, 2021. Acting Deputy Commerce Secretary Wynn Coggins will talk about her journey and the Department’s work to empower more women inventors. In addition, this symposium will offer attendees a chance to learn about innovation and business from public and private sector experts. Register now for this special event.

At the symposium, you will have the chance to:

Learn about navigating today’s changing marketplace and the challenges and opportunities for women to succeed

Hear about ongoing efforts to bring more women into the innovation ecosystem

Hear personal stories from senior USPTO officials and other intellectual property experts

The WES will offer engaging expert panels on Wednesdays this March. Check the USPTO event page for updates.

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USPTO Graphic on Women's Entrepreneurship Symposium

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USPTO Graphic on Women's Entrepreneurship Symposium

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Biodiesel From Argentina and Indonesia

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U.S. Census Bureau Releases Key Statistics in Honor of Women's History Month

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The following is a cross-post by the U.S. Census Bureau

National Women’s History Month traces its roots to March 8, 1857, when women from various New York City factories staged a protest over poor working conditions. The first Women's Day celebration in the United States was in 1909, also in New York City. More than seven decades later, Congress in 1981 established National Women's History Week to be commemorated annually the second week of March. In 1987, Congress expanded the week to a month, and every year since has passed a resolution designating March Women’s History Month. And the president has issued a proclamation. See this year's proclamation.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month 2021, we reflect upon advances women have made over the last decade. Women have increased their earnings and education, fields of occupation and continued to live longer than men. Below are stats from Census Bureau surveys highlighting how women’s employment has changed over the years. We appreciate the public’s cooperation in helping us measure America’s people, places and economy.

Did You Know?

166.6 million

The number of females in the United States as of July 2019. There were 161.7 million males. In 2010, there were 157 million females and 151.8 million males.

2 to 1

The approximate ratio by which women ages 85 and older outnumbered men in 2019 (4.2 million to 2.4 million) in the United States. In 2010, there were 3.7 million women and 1.8 million men ages 85 and older.

33.9%

In 2019, the percentage of women 25 and older who had earned bachelor’s degrees or higher compared with 32.3% of men. In 2010, 28.5% of men 25 and older had a bachelor’s degree or higher while 27.9% of women had completed this level of education.

79.2 million

The number of females ages 16 and older who participated in the civilian labor force in 2019. This comprises 58.6% of females ages 16 and older. In 2010, 74.1 million or 59.1% of females ages 16 and older participated in the civilian labor force.

81.6%

The percentage of female full-time, year-round workers over 16 years’ median earnings compared to men in 2019. In 2010, women earned 78.6% of what men made.

For more key statistics such as the number of women veterans, earnings by women and the percentage of women who earned a degree, please see the latest issue of the U.S. Census Bureau's Facts for Features for Women's History Month: March 2021.

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U.S. Census Bureau Graphic on Change in Women's Participation in Selected Occupations from 2000-2019

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U.S. Census Bureau Graphic on Change in Women's Participation in Selected Occupations from 2000-2019

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Biodiesel From Argentina and Indonesia

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U.S. Commercial Service to Recognize Women Exporters

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The following is a cross-post from the International Trade Administration's U.S. Commercial Service

In honor of International Women's Day, the International Trade Administration's U.S. Commercial Service will host an event to honor women exporters. This event will be held on March 8 and is part of their Women's Global Trade Empowerment Program, a premier resource for for women entrepreneurs who wish to boldly grow their business into new markets. Register now to hear from successful women exporters and learn how the U.S. Commercial Service has assisted U.S. women business leaders in overseas markets.

Hear from five successful U.S. businesses women who have worked with the U.S. Commercial Service to successfully further their exporting goals.

Get inspired! Hear how these women capitalized on global opportunities! Learn how you can get the resources, tools, and personal connections you need.

Meet our speakers:

Susan Jaime, CEO, Ferra Coffee

Pamela Nelson, Founder and CEO, Bracane Company, Inc.

Grace Preston, Director of Global Sales, Optim LLC

Sherry Rupert, CEO, American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association

Jean Seo, Founder and CEO, Evolue Skincare Inc.

The U.S. Commercial Service (CS), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, offers companies a full range of expertise in international trade. Companies can find assistance locally in more than 100 U.S. Commercial Service offices nationwide and in more than 70 international offices.

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U.S. Commercial Service Graphic on the Women's Global Trade Empowerment Program

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U.S. Commercial Service Graphic on the Women's Global Trade Empowerment Program

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Biodiesel From Argentina and Indonesia

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Message from the 40th Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo

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On March 3, Gina M. Raimondo was sworn in as the 40th U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Secretary Raimondo was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris after a bipartisan vote of 84-15 in the United States Senate. In her role as Secretary of Commerce, Raimondo will lead a key agency focused on promoting economic growth, which includes the International Trade Administration, the Bureau of Industry and Security, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Economic Development Administration, Minority Business Development Agency, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Bureau of Economic Analysis, and National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Message from Secretary Raimondo

COVID-19 has impacted every community in our country.

As the Governor of Rhode Island, I saw firsthand how our families, our children, and our communities have been impacted by this virus. Millions of Americans are out of work, and over 400,000 small businesses have been forced to shut their doors. Minority-owned and women-run businesses have been the hardest hit.

Now, I also know firsthand the pain that losing a job causes a family. I still remember when my dad lost his job after 28 years of work in manufacturing. It was a tough time for us and too many families all across our country today are having to make the same sacrifices we had to make back then.

And it’s not just the pandemic. We are facing an urgent economic crisis, a climate emergency, longstanding racial inequities, and the need to restore America’s leadership on the world’s stage.

But there is hope ahead. Because when we come together as a country, there is nothing that can stop us. We innovate. We grow. And we will meet these unprecedented challenges by building back better and ensuring that every American is part of our success.

As the Secretary of Commerce, I am committed to helping working Americans and businesses – small and large - combat this pandemic head-on, creating millions of good-paying jobs, and powering a more just, sustainable economy. An economy where workers are treated with dignity and respect, businesses have the tools they need to innovate, and America can out-compete any country in the world. We’re going to revitalize domestic manufacturing, strengthen critical supply chains here in the United States, and set the stage for economic growth for decades to come.

I’m proud to be leading the Commerce Department. Our hard-working, talented workforce has the tools, data, and expertise we need to help communities address the challenges we face as a nation.

We want the Commerce Department to be about opportunity and competitiveness. The opportunity to start or grow a business. The opportunity to get a good, stable job. The opportunity to pursue the American Dream, regardless of where you live or where you come from.

Let’s create a future that is made in America. That invests in our communities and for future generations. It's time to Build Back Better, to build back smarter, build back stronger, and to build back equitably.

I am Gina Raimondo, and I am proud to serve as the 40th Secretary for the Department of Commerce.

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Gina M. Raimondo was sworn in as the 40th U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Secretary Raimondo was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris after a bipartisan vote of 84-15 in the United States Senate. 

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ina M. Raimondo was sworn in as the 40th U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Secretary Raimondo was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris after a bipartisan vote of 84-15 in the United States Senate. 

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Showcasing Women in STEM at Commerce’s NIST 

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The U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is the Nation's leading agency working with industry and science to advance innovation, enhance economic security and improve quality of life. And NIST is home to many women across the fields of science, engineering, and math (STEM) who make a daily impact on the social and economic conditions of Americans and people around the world.

Some examples of the jobs held by women at NIST and the important work they are doing includes:

Engineers who have created “phantoms” that help ensure accurate breast MRIs.

Engineers who are studying the effects of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico with the goal of improving community resilience in the face of natural disasters.

Researchers are coming up with ways to retrieve data from damaged mobile phones.

Researchers who are creating standard reference materials that help ensure nutrition labels are accurate.

Scientists who are lending their expertise, looking at issues around air quality in classrooms and how to improve COVID-19 testing.

In honor of Women's History Month and International Women’s Day, below are a few stories showcasing the important work of just a few of the women in STEM fields at NIST who have enthusiasm for their work, lend their expertise to a broad array of projects and are making a difference in their fields.

ERIN LEGACKI, Reproductive Physiologist/Biologist, Material Measurement Laboratory’s Hollings Marine Laboratory

Photo of Erin Legacki (Credit: NIST)

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A professor once told NIST postdoctoral researcher Erin Legacki, “You will never amount to anything, looking at your grades. The only way you’ll work with animals is in an animal shelter.”

She got a new mentor.

Over the course of her career, Erin has had the chance to study horses, hyenas, whales, and now salmon in the field of endocrinology, the study of hormones. At NIST, she is working with samples of mucus from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s stock of North American Atlantic salmon to help the aquaculture industry and conservationists understand and better measure the species’ fertility.

Her message to aspiring scientists is simply to persevere.

Erin goes by the solid mantra that everyone she works with can teach her something. And thanks to her ability to overlook her first mentor’s words, Erin has marched onward, pursued her own path, and has become an incredible asset to the NIST team in marine research.

ALEJANDRA COLLOPY Physicist, Physical Measurement Laboratory

Photo of Alejandra Collopy (Credit: NIST)

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NIST postdoctoral researcher and physicist Alejandra Collopy is part of a team making strides in understanding the world of atoms and molecules, a world that operates by the rules of quantum physics.  With their knowledge of quantum physics, scientists have been able to invent the technologies that make smartphones, computers, the internet and so many other things possible in today’s economy and society. And the discoveries and applications are continuing.

Most recently, Alejandra and her team have been creating, trapping, and studying charged calcium hydride molecules in a technique called quantum logic spectroscopy. This work may enable even better measurements of the fundamental constants of nature, which could increase understanding of quantum physics and offer new insights into the universe.

While trapping atomic ions is a widespread practice these days in science laboratories, doing the same for molecular ions is still relatively uncharted territory. This sense of discovery charges up her team for more research every day.

Alejandra always desired to know how things work and obtained a degree in physics from Stanford University. She then pursued graduate studies on neutral molecules at the Joint Institute of the University of Colorado and NIST (JILA). Today she has a decade’s worth of background in molecules (neutral and charged) and adds great value to her research at NIST.

Alejandra now works with a group of NIST researchers on the other side of quantum studies—quantum computing.  Her work is improving the building blocks to perform reliable and useful quantum computations that will produce beneficial applications we can’t even imagine today.

STEPHANIE MOFFITT, Materials Research Engineer, Engineering Laboratory

Photo of Stephanie Moffitt (Credit: NIST)

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Harnessing the power of the sun only lasts for so long with solar panels before they break down. Armed with accelerated aging equipment and a longstanding passion for science, NIST postdoctoral researcher and Materials Research Engineer Stephanie Moffitt is working to find out why.

With our own version of a time machine, Stephanie exposes solar panel samples to humidity, ultraviolet light, heat, and electrical stress so that she can study what would happen to these panels if she left them outside for decades. With data in hand, she analyzes the chemical properties in the samples at different stages of aging, searching for the causes of cracks and damage to the electrical components within.

Stephanie’s interest in solar panel research didn’t come until she reached higher education, but her love for science started long before that.

In the third grade, Stephanie’s class toured IBM, her first exposure to the world of liquid nitrogen and superconductors. What followed (with her parents’ encouragement) was a childhood full of experimentation, including one of her favorites: mixing acids and bases to understand the volcano effect seen with baking soda and vinegar.

Stephanie also frequented her grandfather’s airfield for recreational planes with her dad, who taught her to fly and maintain the planes. Often surrounded by tools and machinery, she learned to be careful around equipment, but still be confident in her ability to operate it. That careful confidence still shines today and helps Stephanie maneuver around her lab at NIST with ease.

But the confidence doesn’t stop in the lab. Stephanie uses it to serve as the bridge between academia and industry. It’s the reason she wanted to join NIST in the first place, and a role that she takes pride in. She collaborates with professors and companies alike to transfer her knowledge about solar panels, growing and learning in the process.

CALLIE HIGGINS Materials Research Engineer, Material Measurement Laboratory

Photo of Callie Higgins (Credit: NIST)

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Materials Research Engineer Callie Higgins, who started at NIST as a postdoctoral fellow and is now a full-time researcher, recognized NIST's important, unique role as the bridge between fundamental research and industry and knew she had found her dream career.

At NIST, Callie and her team are working with leaders across the additive manufacturing industry to address some core questions about photopolymerization, which uses light to create useful chemical reactions.

Her background in physics and optics at University of San Diego and then the University of Colorado Boulder put her squarely onto the photopolymer additive manufacturing path, where she learned how to manipulate materials with light to produce structures such as artificial cartilage and bone.

Now, Callie’s work at NIST in vat photopolymerization uses light to solidify a liquid resin layer by layer into a 3D object. This is similar to the technique used by dentists who also use ultraviolet light to harden dental materials, such as sealants, onto your tooth.

Callie and fellow NIST researchers are developing novel tools to bring this transformative technology to mainstream manufacturing, which has applications in fields ranging from regenerative medicine to deep-space exploration.

Her extensive expertise in additive manufacturing systems and demonstrated leadership working at the junction between academia, industry, and government makes her a critical asset to the NIST team.

NIST was founded in 1901 and is celebrating 120 years of service to the American people. Learn more about the services they provided at their founding and how they have evolved over the years.

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National Institute of Standards and Technology

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NIST postdoctoral researcher and physicist Alejandra Collopy is part of a team making strides in understanding the world of atoms and molecules, a world that operates by the rules of quantum physics.  

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NIST postdoctoral researcher and physicist Alejandra Collopy is part of a team making strides in understanding the world of atoms and molecules, a world that operates by the rules of quantum physics.  

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Biodiesel From Argentina and Indonesia

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Women’s History Month is a Time to Sing the Praises of Enterprising Women of Color

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The following is a cross-post from the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

Since 1987, March has been the time for our nation to pause to reflect on the amazing contributions of women who have set the stage, raised the bar, and made their distinctive mark on the advancement of minority business enterprises. Women’s History Month is a time to sing the praises of Enterprising Women of Color who have blazed new trails and broken barriers to become the largest and most economically significant component on the American entrepreneurial stage.

The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) developed Enterprising Women of Color (EWOC) to focus on the fast-expanding minority women entrepreneur population as a revenue generators for families, communities, and the Nation. The vision of EWOC is to ensure women worldwide to reach their economic potential.

Minority women are the fastest growing population of entrepreneurs. While many women are making tremendous strides in the business world, they still face obstacles as entrepreneurs. MBDA serves as an advocate for women’s economic empowerment by supporting efforts to advance women’s equality and promote women economic advancement programming.

Read more about the important work of MBDA and what they are doing for Women's History Month.

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MBDA Enterprising Women of Color (EWOC) logo.

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MBDA Enterprising Women of Color (EWOC) logo.

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Biodiesel From Argentina and Indonesia

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Commerce's USPTO Celebrates American Women Inventors and Entrepreneurs

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Most Americans have likely heard of Thomas Edison, Albert Einstein, or Alexander Graham Bell. But what about Harriet Strong, Frances Arnold, and Juliette Gordon Low? These and so many more women inventors and scientists have made lasting contributions to our nation’s history. They have inspired future generations of innovators to change the world with their ideas.

In honor of Women’s History Month, as part of its mission to protect and promote the ingenuity of American inventors and entrepreneurs, the Department of Commerce’s U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is sharing the stories of notable women innovators, past and present. A few of these stories are highlighted below, but we encourage you to take a moment to learn more about these incredible women through the USPTO’s popular Journeys of Innovation series and on social media.

Juliette Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts of the USA and patented the organization’s iconic trefoil badge in 1914. A three-leafed clover design adapted from the Boy Scouts’ similar badge, Low’s trefoil suggested a fundamental equality between girls and boys on the eve of women’s suffrage and continues to signal girls’ invaluable contributions to American life and culture.

Juliette Gordon Low received U.S. design patent No. 45, 234 on February 10, 1914 for the trefoil, worn as a badge for the Girl Scouts.

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In 2018, Frances Arnold became the first American female Nobel laureate in chemistry, for her work in harnessing the power of evolution to create new proteins that have useful properties not found in nature. She has devoted her 30-year career to making chemistry green, clean, and more efficient. A winner of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, an inductee in the National Inventors Hall of Fame, and currently serving as co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, she is passionate about mentoring the next generation of young scientists.

Nobel Laureate and inventor Frances Arnold. (Photo courtesy of Caltech)

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A pioneer in advanced technologies, Marian Croak, holds more than 200 patents and has over 100 pending applications. Her many achievements include pioneering work advancing the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) with inventions that made internet phone calls more reliable and secure; text-to-donate technology inspired by Hurricane Katrina that revolutionized how people give to charitable organizations; and work on the telephone network and voting system used for American Idol®. Now a Vice President of Engineering at Google, she focuses on reliability engineering to improve the performance of Google systems and services.

Marian Croak speaks at the Google for India event in 2015. (Photo courtesy of Google)

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Temple Grandin is an inventor, professor, author, inspirational speaker, and a leading advocate for the humane treatment of livestock. Unable to speak until almost age four, no one expected Temple Grandin to do much in life, let alone become one of the world’s compelling voices in science and innovation. Now, Grandin is one of the world’s most well-known autistic individuals and proponents of neurodiversity and also holds a U.S. patent for her farm animal handling system. On March 25, don’t miss the webinar on differing abilities in STEM, featuring Temple Grandin, and hosted by the U.S. Department of Education and the USPTO.

USPTO’s Director of Education and Outreach Joyce Ward presents Temple Grandin with an oversized copy of her inventor trading card and her livestock handling designs. USPTO Inventor Trading Cards aim to inspire children with stories of diverse inventors.

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Since she was a child, Sangeeta Bhatia has enjoyed figuring out how things work. Now a biomedical researcher, MIT professor, and biotech entrepreneur, she has invented human microlivers to study drug metabolism and liver disease as well as nanoparticles that help diagnose, study, and treat ailments like cancer. Bhatia has also received the prestigious Heinz Award for her groundbreaking innovations and advocacy of women in STEM fields.

Sangeeta Bhatia and her students have explored the use of CRISPR-Cas9, a genome editing tool, for the treatment of hepatitis B. (Image courtesy of Justin Knight)

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Hinda Miller, Polly Smith, and Lisa Lindahl created the sports bra, a true entrepreneurial endeavor which has spurred women’s participation in athletic activities and advanced women’s health and well-being. Originally designed to decrease discomfort for female runners, their invention has since become a necessity for female athletes and a modern fashion staple. The empowering story of these three women offers a compelling example of determination, ingenuity, and creativity.

From left: Inventors of the sports bra Polly Smith, Lisa Lindahl, and Hinda Miller. (Photo by Jay Premack/USPTO)

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The USPTO is dedicated to encouraging and equipping Americans across all demographics and throughout the United States to become innovators, and to ensuring they have equal opportunities to succeed. One exciting initiative, the National Council for Expanding American Innovation (NCEAI) is strategizing new ways to expand American innovation by tapping into the strength of our nation’s diversity and increasing the opportunities for all Americans to participate in innovation. Comprised of respected leaders in the private and public sectors, one of the foremost priorities for the Council is to help the USPTO develop a long-term comprehensive plan aimed at expanding participation in America’s innovation ecosystem among women, minorities, and other underrepresented groups. Learn more about NCEAI and other USPTO initiatives, events, and resources on the Expanding Innovation page of the USPTO website.

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Juliette Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts of the USA and patented the organization’s iconic trefoil badge in 1914. 

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Juliette Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts of the USA and patented the organization’s iconic trefoil badge in 1914. 

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Biodiesel From Argentina and Indonesia

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Spotlight on Commerce: Eloise Parker, Assistant Director for Demographic Programs, U.S. Census Bureau

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Guest blog post by Eloise Parker, Assistant Director for Demographic Programs, U.S. Census Bureau

I have the good fortune to work as the Assistant Director for Demographic Programs at the Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau. Maximizing the Census Bureau’s data collection infrastructure, my team conducts household surveys throughout the decade on behalf of the Census Bureau and other federal agencies. Many of the Nation’s key statistics result from these surveys, including the monthly unemployment rate and measures of consumer spending, health, income and poverty, crime, education, housing, and others. You can turn on the news and hear stories rooted in data from these surveys on any given day.

This year in particular has been a difficult one for conducting surveys and gathering data. The combination of the COVID-19 pandemic and the demands of the 2020 Census on agency resources have required resourcefulness and resiliency on the part of our program staff. Despite these pressures, we have continued operations without interruption and made accommodations where needed to ensure the health and safety of our field staff and the public. If there were ever a time when these data are most needed, it is now.

One of my career highlights is the agility with which the Census Bureau launched the Household Pulse Survey in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. This survey produces data on the social and economic effects of the pandemic on American households. Recognizing that traditional federal statistics were not designed to keep pace with the dramatic social and economic changes taking place, we launched the Household Pulse Survey within 35 days. We took some risks deploying resources and methods that were still in research and development and worked with multiple agencies to determine their most urgent data needs in terms of understanding the impacts of the pandemic. The Household Pulse Survey data are disseminated in near real-time and are updated every two weeks. Data from the survey provides information on people’s experiences during the pandemic in terms of employment status, spending patterns, physical and mental health, access to health care, food security, housing security, and educational disruption. The staff at the Census Bureau are tremendously mission-driven, and the dedication and extra hours they devoted to see this through in a time of national emergency is one of the reasons I am so proud to work here.

I am marking my 20th year in government service, 13 years of which have been at the Census Bureau. Since it also is Women’s History Month, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the Census Bureau as an environment that has allowed me and so many other women to thrive and advance professionally into an executive role. Hoping to pay forward a modicum of the support and mentorship I’ve received over the years, I serve as an executive champion to the Census Bureau’s chapter of Federally Employed Women, Census Women Count.

I am excited about where the Census Bureau is going in coming years. The data landscape has shifted dramatically in the last decade. Our users need information that provides subtler insights – and they need it more quickly. Investments at the Census Bureau in technology, data science, and human capital are steadily transforming the way we produce data, while improving their utility to the public.

Affecting positive change in government takes patience and perseverance. I believe in playing the long game: there’s always a step after the step you took, and you are never really cornered even when you feel like you are. If you have a clear vision and an ability to share it with others, you will get there.

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of women at the Department of Commerce in honor of Women's History Month.

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Eloise Parker, Assistant Director for Demographic Programs, U.S. Census Bureau

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Eloise Parker, Assistant Director for Demographic Programs, U.S. Census Bureau

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Biodiesel From Argentina and Indonesia

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The Office of Sustainable Energy and Environmental Programs is excited to launch its first-ever virtual photo challenge in celebration of Earth Day 2021! As the temperature warms up and we begin to spend more time outside, join us in embracing and celebrating our beautiful Earth by sharing a photo of your favorite environmentally-friendly activity. Whether it’s tending to your garden, planting a tree, composting, or exploring the parks in your community – take a photo and join your fellow Department employees as we collectively appreciate our Earth.

The Earth Day Photo Challenge is open to all Department employees and onsite contractors. To participate, send your completed participation form and photo to syardley@doc.gov. Limit one photo submission per employee. Submissions are due by March 31, 2021. Selected photos will be highlighted in Department communications, including in a special edition Earth Day newsletter. If you have questions, please contact Sarah Yardley at syardley@doc.gov.

Download Participation Form

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Spotlight on Commerce: Paula Paixao e Silva Zarazinski, Attorney Advisor, Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP), Office of General Counsel

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Guest blog post by Paula Paixao e Silva Zarazinski, Attorney Advisor, Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP), Office of General Counsel

Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate but also a time to listen and share. I am truly honored to have the opportunity to join so many voices this month to tell my own story of hope, resilience, and diversity. My name is Paula Paixao e Silva Zarazinski. I am an Attorney Advisor with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP). I work closely with governments in the Middle East and North Africa as they implement commercial law reforms to improve their business environment, creating economic opportunities for their own citizens while also leveling the playing field for U.S. businesses. I absolutely love what I do, our mission, and the diversity and dedication of our team. I am also inspired by the success stories I hear daily, like the young woman in Algeria running a successful technology start-up after attending our entrepreneurship programs.

These stories also remind me of my own. I was born in Manaus, a Brazilian town surrounded by the Amazon rainforest. As the first in my family to venture out of the country, I experienced many feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy, especially as an attorney navigating a male-dominated field. My family and my community, including indigenous groups like the one from which I descend, remain a source of strength and courage. They also are the reason I committed myself at a very young age to pursue a path of public service and learn about the world as much as possible. This commitment allowed me to build a legal career over the past ten years focused on promoting the rule of law and good governance, while providing opportunities for women and other underserved communities around the world.

As I reflect on Women’s History Month and my own trajectory, I am filled with gratitude for those who came before me. I am reminded of my unique position and responsibility - as a woman of color, first-generation American, mother, attorney, and civil servant - to break down barriers and build up opportunities for those who will come after. I am also filled with hope of a future where women and girls who look like me can dream big and succeed in a more inclusive and just society. To be able to contribute to that vision at Commerce alongside the amazing women here and abroad has been the greatest honor of my career. I am humbled to share my story this month, while standing on the shoulders of courageous women whose stories have not always been told.

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of women at the Department of Commerce in honor of Women's History Month.

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Paixao e Silva Zarazinski, Attorney Advisor, Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP), Office of General Counsel

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Paixao e Silva Zarazinski, Attorney Advisor, Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP), Office of General Counsel

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Biodiesel From Argentina and Indonesia

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Spotlight on Commerce: Mojdeh Bahar, Associate Director for Innovation and Industry Services, National Institute of Standards and Technology

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Guest blog post by Mojdeh Bahar, Associate Director for Innovation and Industry Services, National Institute of Standards and Technology

I find intersections interesting—full of possibilities. They bring seemingly disparate things, concepts, people together and provide a common point. They allow more than one path and give us permission to explore. The point of intersection allows us to find commonalities, to start a conversation, a meeting, a negotiation.

What do intersections have to do with my career path?

I have always been interested in different disciplines. In college, I loved science yet enjoyed analyzing literary texts, finding precise words to describe concepts, and learning foreign languages. I graduated with a double major in chemistry and French from Dickinson College After graduate school at New York University, I went to the University of Maryland School of Law. By that time, I had learned a bit more about myself and knew that I was more interested in intersections of disciplines generally, and, more specifically, the intersection of law and science.

Studying health law and patent law provided me an opportunity to explore this intersection further, and I was exhilarated! I took the patent bar exam — as practicing patent law requires that one take the general bar exam as well as a specific patent bar exam — and became a patent attorney. After honing my patent prosecution skills at the Commerce Department’s U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), I wanted to learn about legal transactions based on patents and this led me to work in technology transfer at NIH, USDA and  the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), also a part of the U.S. Commerce Department.

Technology transfer is the dissemination of research results in forms of publications, datasets and patents from a research enterprise to a greater audience. I have since had the opportunity to lead technology transfer professionals in many scientific disciplines: chemistry, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, plants, agricultural innovations, and now emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum.

Like patent law, technology transfer is multidisciplinary by nature as it sits at the intersection of business, law and science. It enables the adoption of scientific research outcomes and plays a vital role in the innovation ecosystem.

Looking at innovation as a continuum, basic research is the start of the process, followed by obtaining intellectual property protection (patents, copyright or trademarks) and then technology transfer — publishing, licensing or selling the invention to one or more entities for further development or commercialization of a final product.

My career path seems to have followed the innovation continuum. In my current role, I have the privilege of leading two manufacturing programs—Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which serves small to medium-sized manufacturers, and the Office of Advanced Manufacturing, which advances manufacturing by connecting people, ideas, and technology. I also oversee the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, which oversees the Nation’s only Presidential award for performance excellence. Each of these programs sets out to build communities around innovation, manufacturing and organizational excellence. They are either public-private partnerships by their very nature or strive to build public-private partnerships, yet, each is unique in many ways. Again, I find myself at an intersection — that of extramural programs and intramural research.

Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to lead people. As a leader, I find myself at the point of intersection of technical skills and soft skills. This particular intersection has offered me growth opportunities and immense personal satisfaction. I have had the pleasure of serving as a mentor at work, in innovation competitions, to first-year law students, to postdoctoral students and early career tech transfer professionals.  I have been truly blessed with talented teams at NIH, USDA, and NIST who have taught me what it means to be a true public servant and to care about the greater good. I have also had the privilege to witness the career progression of a younger generation of women, and to serve as a mentor to some.  Their determination, dedication, hard work and vision inspire hope for a better tomorrow.

In my professional journey, every interaction, every person, every project has provided a learning opportunity, some uplifting and some disheartening. I have been fortunate to cross paths with many who have taught me and helped me along the way. In intersecting paths with other women, I hope to serve as a sounding board, listener, supporter, and mentor. I hope our paths intersect!

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of women at the Department of Commerce in honor of Women's History Month.

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National Institute of Standards and Technology

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Mojdeh Bahar, Associate Director for Innovation and Industry Services, National Institute of Standards and Technology

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Mojdeh Bahar, Associate Director for Innovation and Industry Services, National Institute of Standards and Technology

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Biodiesel From Argentina and Indonesia

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Spotlight on Commerce: Ingrid Spies, Fisheries Scientist, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

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Guest blog by Ingrid Spies, Fisheries Scientist, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

My primary responsibility is performing work as a stock assessment scientist at the Commerce Department’s NOAA Fisheries’ Alaska Fisheries Science Center in Seattle, Washington. This involves modeling the abundance of commercially important fish stocks and making recommendations for sustainable fishing quotas. I also conduct genetic research in support of managing our fisheries in Alaska.

I grew up in Washington State—both the east and west side—and attended public school. When I was in high school, some classmates had the opportunity to visit the Alaska Fisheries Science Center. I didn't go, but I talked to my friends who attended and found it to be so interesting that I reached out to the director of the Center’s Resource Ecology and Fisheries Management Division. He hired me over the phone to be a summer biological assistant when I was a junior in high school. This was a very exciting opportunity for me. I worked with his group (where I still work today) and assisted with projects such as measuring juvenile hake, weighing fish ovaries, and even going out to sea to help conduct research.

I earned both a bachelor’s degree in biology and a pre-med degree at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. I thought I would like to be a doctor, so I worked as a laboratory technician in cancer research labs in Boston and in Seattle to gain relevant experience. When I realized I didn’t want to go the medical route, I remembered how I really enjoyed working in fisheries. I took a job at the University of Washington in the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences. I eventually got a master’s degree in the same University of Washington lab studying the origin of sockeye salmon in Lake Washington using genetics. That led me back to the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, where I worked as a laboratory technician and had the opportunity to set up a new genetics lab. During my time in the genetics lab, I realized there was a need to bridge the gap between genetics and fishery management. Genetics can be an extremely useful tool to answer questions in support of fishery management. I returned to graduate school for my Ph.D. at the University of Washington to tackle this challenge.

Outside of work, I always mentor students when given a chance. I have taught genetics and given hands-on laboratory experience to high schoolers, undergraduates, and graduate students. I even had the opportunity to work with a first-grader who later reported to her class that “fish have genes,” and drew a picture of a fish wearing jeans. I also tend a food bank plot at my local community garden, and the vegetables I grow get are donated to the local food bank.

My college cross country running coach told me that to achieve great things; you need to work on them every day. He was referring to running, but I feel that is a very important life lesson for achieving big things. I’ve continued to work under that same philosophy on many difficult projects throughout my life, and it also has extended to my profession.

There are so many other women in history who I admire. Several who come to mind are Katherine Johnson, a mathematician who worked for NASA for more than 30 years. She helped NASA put an astronaut into orbit around Earth and put a man on the moon. I also think of Wangari Maathai, who organized women to plant millions of trees in Kenya, and Gertrude Ederle, who swam the English Channel in 1926, beating the mens’ record by two hours.

Being a career civil servant has provided me the opportunity to grow as a scientist and to tackle questions relevant to marine resources. I value the opportunities and time I have had to conduct meaningful and impactful research.

My advice to youth interested in a federal government career is to look for volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in a job, and you have the opportunity, offer to volunteer, even if it is only part-time. This will give you on-the-job experience, allow you to meet professionals in the field, spark an interest for a future profession, and maybe lead to a job in the future. Take opportunities that come your way. I like to think that opportunities come to people for a reason and are worth pursuing. Talk to experts, and don’t be afraid to ask them questions. Also, take breaks—your body and brain work together, and you need to take care of them both. Become a good writer—this is essential to communicate your ideas. And, finally, always be honest and kind.

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of women at the Department of Commerce in honor of Women's History Month.

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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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Ingrid Spies, Fisheries Scientist, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 

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Ingrid Spies, Fisheries Scientist, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Biodiesel From Argentina and Indonesia

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Spotlight on Commerce: Wendy Doernberg, Senior Equal Employment Opportunity and External Civil Rights Specialist, Office of Civil Rights

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Guest blog post by Wendy Doernberg, Senior Equal Employment Opportunity and External Civil Rights Specialist, Office of Civil Rights

When my aunt Marian Frankston entered law school in 1970, she was one of three women in the class. Every day they were asked to answer more difficult questions than their male colleagues as if the professors wanted to see them fail. Certain courtrooms would not allow them to enter unless they wore a dress or skirt.

When I began University of Pittsburgh School of Law school in 2008, my class was about 50% women. Many of my professors also were women. Professor Margaret Mahoney had been a member of the faculty since 1978 and was the first woman to earn tenure at the law school.  Professor Deborah Brake worked at the National Women’s Law Center before she became a professor. She was passionate about how the law impacted women, including issues pertaining to women in sports and pregnancy discrimination. As her research assistant, I was able to help her with a book about how Title IX, a federal statute enacted in 1972 to prohibit sex discrimination in education, had opened the door for girls and women to participate in competitive sports.

I graduated law school in 2011 and began my federal government career at the Department of Labor. I acquired an amazing mentor. She now leads a large team of people, but she still makes time to support many other employees and me throughout the federal government. Now, as a Senior Equal Employment Opportunity and External Civil Rights Specialist in the Commerce Department’s Office of Civil Rights, I help process claims of discrimination from employees, applicants, and those involved with recipients of federal financial assistance. I also proactively educate others about civil rights. As Vice Chair of the Federal Inter-Agency Holocaust Remembrance Committee, I coordinate with other agencies to ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust, namely discrimination, are not forgotten.

Because I had the benefit of strong mentors and professors, I consider it my responsibility to pay it forward to the next generation. To that end, I am a mentor through Community Bridges, Inc., an organization in Silver Spring, Maryland, that empowers girls from diverse backgrounds to become exceptional students, positive leaders, and healthy young women. This year, my original mentee will be the first one in her family to graduate college. My current mentee, a senior in high school, wants to become a lawyer, and I intend to support her every step of the way.

During Women’s History Month, I think about the barriers to women that were in place and the men and women who helped to shatter those barriers. I think about the barriers that continue to exist and how we can collectively work to remove them. I also take the time to say thank you to my mentors, recommit myself to mentor others, and challenge all of you to be a mentor in your own unique way.

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of women at the Department of Commerce in honor of Women's History Month.

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Wendy Doernberg, Senior Equal Employment Opportunity and External Civil Rights Specialist, Office of Civil Rights

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Wendy Doernberg, Senior Equal Employment Opportunity and External Civil Rights Specialist, Office of Civil Rights

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Biodiesel From Argentina and Indonesia

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Spotlight on Commerce: Valencia Martin-Wallace, Deputy Commissioner for Patents, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

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Guest blog post by Valencia Martin-Wallace, Deputy Commissioner for Patents, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

As the Deputy Commissioner for Patents at the Commerce Department’s United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), I am responsible for leading the organization’s international patent cooperation programs and initiatives. I also have oversight of the technology centers responsible for examining patent applications in the fields of telecommunications, mechanical technologies, and design.

I graduated with a B.S. in electrical engineering from Howard University, where I learned alongside a wonderful group of students from diverse backgrounds. After flexing my engineering muscle for three years, I decided to pursue intellectual property (IP) law at George Washington University School of Law. At about the same time, I began my career at the USPTO as a patent examiner. After graduating from law school, I realized public service at the USPTO was the right career choice for me. Nearly 29 years later, I’m still a member of the USPTO community. I would not be where I am today, in an exciting career in IP, without the support and guidance of very progressive parents, teachers, and mentors, and the examples set before me by talented women scientists, engineers, and attorneys.

I also have the unique pleasure and responsibility of being the executive lead, assisting the Director of the USPTO, with establishing the National Council for Expanding American Innovation (NCEAI) and the development of the national strategy for expanding American innovation.

The NCEAI consists of leaders from every corner of the innovation ecosystem; it was established to help guide the USPTO in developing a comprehensive national strategy to build a more diverse and inclusive innovation ecosystem by encouraging participation of women and other underrepresented groups. This strategy will be organized by a broad conceptual framework that considers the entire pathway along which interest and expertise in intellectual property and innovation is cultivated and nurtured in an individual.

I am honored to be a part of the Department of Commerce USPTO family during this groundbreaking period in the history of intellectual property. I feel privileged to be a part of this movement to increase participation in our innovation ecosystem by inspiring, empowering, and supporting all future inventors and entrepreneurs. These efforts will advance innovation and help our Nation’s economy grow.

Whenever I have the opportunity to talk to young women about intellectual property, I encourage them to challenge their minds through the fields of sciences, technology, engineering, and math. I know they would find the same fulfillment in these fields that I have always found. I also urge them to work hard, take pride in a job well done, never limit themselves, and reach back to help those who come behind them.

During Women’s History Month, I celebrate the accomplishments of the women engineers and scientists who have paved the way for me and many women just like me. I revel in the contributions of the women who have played a vital role in advancing our great country. Women like Beulah Louise Henry, a prolific inventor with 49 U.S. patents and over 100 inventions credited to her name; Marian Croak, a pioneer in the advancement of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) who holds over 200 patents; and Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic-American woman in space and co-inventor on three patents. These and so many other women inventors are an inspiration and I look forward to seeing how future women innovators and entrepreneurs will shape our world.

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of Department of Commerce employees during Women’s History Month.

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Valencia Martin-Wallace, Deputy Commissioner for Patents, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

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Valencia Martin-Wallace, Deputy Commissioner for Patents, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Biodiesel From Argentina and Indonesia

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Spotlight on Commerce:  Tricia Van Orden, Deputy Director of the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee Secretariat, International Trade Administration 

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Guest blog by Tricia Van Orden, Deputy Director of the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee Secretariat, International Trade Administration

As the Deputy Director of the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee Secretariat, an office within the Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA), I spend my days developing programs and strategies to promote U.S. exports. I work with a multitude of partners – U.S. trade agencies, state governments, trade associations, universities, and others – to design and deliver practical tools and resources to help U.S. companies succeed in global markets. Since arriving at ITA in 2008 as a Presidential Management Fellow, I have constantly been amazed and inspired by the women around me and their commitment to collaboration, creativity, innovation, and equity.  Whether working on women’s economic empowerment activities or otherwise contributing their expertise to the major trade issues of the day, these colleagues have consistently demonstrated the utmost competence and professionalism.

From a young age, my passion for supporting women’s economic empowerment has stemmed largely from the fearless women leaders who have paved the way for my own advancement. Women college professors and internship supervisors encouraged me to pursue a career in international economics, lighting a path before I knew where my career would take me. After earning degrees in economics and political science from Colorado State and the University of Washington, respectively, I moved to Washington, DC, to pursue a job on Capitol Hill. I interned for the woman senior Senator from my home state, which led to a full-time job with the woman junior Senator, an invaluable experience that taught me how effectively women can lead.

As we address the COVID-19 pandemic’s social and economic repercussions – which disproportionately affect women and women-owned businesses – we should keep in mind the positive impact that global business opportunities can have on recovery and resiliency.  International markets represent untapped potential for women-owned businesses. On average, businesses that export earn higher revenues, pay higher wages and are less likely to go out of business. Going global can help women build more successful, resilient businesses while supporting themselves, their families, their workers, and their communities.

The number of women-led businesses going global is growing, but women lag behind their male counterparts when it comes to international business expansion for a variety of reasons: Women typically have less access to capital than their male counterparts; women may not have the extensive international networks that lead to partnerships and business deals; and, in some countries, there are legal barriers that restrict women’s economic activity. ITA wants to change that. I serve as the agency’s coordinator for women’s economic empowerment activities, with a mandate to dramatically rethink how we deliver our services and share our expertise so that more women-owned businesses are equipped to successfully expand into international markets.

Women’s History Month is a time to honor the hard-won battles of our female forerunners, but it also is an occasion to take stock of our current moment and create a more equitable future for women as individuals and as economic actors. It is my great privilege to contribute to ITA’s mission and women’s economic empowerment efforts.

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of Department of Commerce employees during Women’s History Month.

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Tricia Van Orden, Deputy Director of the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee Secretariat, International Trade Administration 

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Tricia Van Orden, Deputy Director of the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee Secretariat, International Trade Administration 

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Biodiesel From Argentina and Indonesia

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Unequally Essential: Women and the Gender Pay Gap During COVID-19

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The following is a cross-post from the U.S. Census Bureau

Thirty-four million women work in jobs officially classified as essential; and women represent the majority of workers in several occupations, including health care, education, personal care and sales and office occupations.

Because women make up a large portion of the essential workforce, they have played a critical role in the U.S. economy and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite women’s substantial presence in essential jobs, the disparity between total median earnings for women and men exists across occupations deemed essential.

Equal Pay Day — timed to represent how far into the year women must work to equal what men earned the previous year — is on March 24 this year. That’s earlier than it’s ever been since its inception in 1996. Last year, it occurred on March 31.

In 2019, women earned 82 cents to every dollar earned by men. In addition to Women’s History Month, it is an important reminder that the gender pay gap is narrowing but continues.

Who Are Essential Workers?

Using guidance from the Department of Homeland Security, we identified 312 detailed occupations from the 2019 American Community Survey where workers provide services essential to the continued operations of the economy in face of unprecedented challenges associated with COVID-19.

The list identifies workers in the following broad categories: health care, education, telecommunications, information technology systems, food and agriculture, transportation and logistics, energy, water and wastewater, and law enforcement.

Based on these criteria, 72% of the workforce is classified as full-time, year-round essential workers — an estimated 82 million. Women hold 42% of the nation’s full-time, year-round jobs designated as essential.

Women represent the majority of essential workers among education, health care, personal care, and sales and office occupations.

Your Health Care Is in Women’s Hands

Women have driven the overall employment growth in health care and play a key role in everyday health care needs associated with COVID-19. Women comprise 73% of health care practitioners and technical occupations identified as essential. Women also make up an ever-larger proportion (86%) of essential health care support workers.

Registered nurses are one of the most common health care related occupations. Around 2.5 million of the nation’s full-time, year-round workers and 87% of registered nurses are women. Despite women’s large presence in health care occupations, the gender wage gap remains.

Male nurses had higher median earnings than female nurses in 2019: $73,603 compared with $68,509.

Teachers and Child Care Workers

For the past year, teachers have been spending long hours online in virtual classrooms but are gradually returning to in-person instruction as COVID-19 vaccines become available.

Large shares of working women are in education. For example, 80% of elementary and middle-school teachers and 97% of preschool and kindergarten teachers are female.

Similar patterns of pay disparity are found here, too. In 2019, male elementary and middle-school teachers reported higher median earnings than women in the same jobs: $57,041 compared with $51,787 for women.

Among preschool and kindergarten teachers, women earned $30,537, which was not statistically different from men’s earnings of $31,149.

Parents and employers rely on child care workers so they can work and conduct business. Child care workers were also predominantly female (95%) and earned about $27,000 less per year than median earnings ($50,078) for all workers across all occupations.

Keeping Our Stores Open

Retail jobs are among some of the most common occupations in a variety of industries, including grocery and drug stores. Around 75% of cashiers are women but only 45% of women are first-line supervisors of retail sales workers.

Cashiers are among the lowest-paid members in the retail workforce. In 2019, the median earnings of female cashiers and first-line retail sales supervisors were $22,032 and $36,432, respectively; men in the same jobs earned $24,616 and $50,270.

Statistics in this story come from the 2019 American Community Survey’s Women and Men’s Detail Occupations and Median Earnings Table. Guidance on identifying essential occupations can be found in the Standard Occupational Classification definitions.

To read more, please go to the latest issue of the U.S. Census Bureau's Facts for Features on Equal Pay Day: March 24, 2021.

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Women make up a large portion of the essential workforce and have played a critical role in the U.S. economy and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Women make up a large portion of the essential workforce and have played a critical role in the U.S. economy and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Biodiesel From Argentina and Indonesia

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Spotlight on Commerce: Estela Currid, Export Compliance Specialist, Bureau of Industry and Security 

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Guest blog post by Estela Currid, Export Compliance Specialist, Bureau of Industry and Security

I began my career at the Commerce Department as an Export Compliance Specialist with the Bureau of Industry and Security’s (BIS) Strategic Intelligence Division (SID) in July 2016. In this role, I provide analytical support to BIS’s Office of Enforcement Analysis (OEA) and lead OEA’s Russia portfolio. On any given day I am evaluating the bona fides of parties for BIS license applications, identifying non-compliant export transactions, and assisting the Office of Export Enforcement through analytical case support for law enforcement investigations.

In 2018, my team and I participated in an interagency working group called “Neptune’s Trident” and we won a Meritorious Unit Citation for targeting procurement of underseas items to Russia from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. I also helped organize BIS’s 4th Biennial Targeting Proliferation Networks Seminar, which brings together export control, defense, intelligence, and law enforcement partners from across the U.S. Government to identify priorities for all BIS enforcement action against proliferators. In July 2019, I also was asked to be the BIS liaison to the Secretary’s Office of Policy and Strategic Planning (OPSP) for a year, during which time I coordinated BIS’s actions across all Commerce bureaus and advised OPSP officials on the impact and criticality of BIS policy actions. We helped publish more than 25 regulatory actions, one of the busiest periods in BIS history. I also worked with the National Security Council on several high-level department issues, including expanding military end-use and end-user controls on China, Russia, and Venezuela, and new Entity List controls on Chinese companies involved with destabilizing military modernization activities or enabling human rights abuses, until I returned to the SID this past month.

BIS is a great bureau to work for with opportunities to grow as a professional and leader. I believe in the importance of the work that we do at BIS and feel that I get to play a vital role in achieving our mission.

I appreciate the challenge that requires creative thinking to solve complex questions, and the focus on international export issues that directly affect the U.S. economic and security mission. Historically, there has always been a tradeoff between national security concerns while fully considering the impact on the economy, and it is often a difficult calculus. BIS plays an important role in supporting the Commerce Department’s mission in promoting economic growth and opportunity while strengthening U.S. National Security.

I was born and raised in Texas and studied International Affairs during my undergraduate and graduate education. I commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves following graduation from the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley as a distinguished military graduate in 2013. I am now a Civil Affairs Officer and Paratrooper in the in the 450th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne). I have served overseas in Israel, Germany, Kosovo, Kuwait, and Iraq. In my free time, I volunteer with a non-profit organization called “Girls on the Run” as a running coach.

When it comes to Women’s History Month, I would say I draw the most inspiration from my mother and grandmother, who were some of the greatest female influences in my life. They taught me the importance of setting goals and believing in your ability to achieve them. I also have always admired Sonia Sotomayor and look to her as an inspiration as someone with a similar Hispanic background. One of my favorite quotes from Associate Justice Sotomayor is “Success is its own reward, but failure is a great teacher too, and not to be feared.”

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of Department of Commerce employees during Women’s History Month.

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Estela Currid, Export Compliance Specialist, Bureau of Industry and Security 

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Estela Currid, Export Compliance Specialist, Bureau of Industry and Security 

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Biodiesel From Argentina and Indonesia

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Women in Commerce’s NTIA Leadership Making a Difference in Tech Equity

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As technology becomes more central to everyday life, policymakers are paying close attention to who is reaping the benefits of these advancements and who is being left behind. At the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), women in key leadership positions are working hard to secure our networks, close the digital divide and bring the next generation of technology online. NTIA is committed to ensuring all Americans have equal access to the digital economy, including people of color, rural communities and others who have been historically underserved.

In honor of Women’s History Month, below is a list of past and present NTIA women in leadership positions that play a critical role in policymaking that guides the future of tech and ensures America’s competitiveness in the 21st century global economy.

Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Director, International Telecommunication Union’s Telecommunications Development Bureau

Doreen Bogdan-Martin began her career at NTIA in 1989 as a telecommunications specialist. Today, she is the first woman to hold a top elected management position in the ​​​​​​International Telecommunication Union (ITU)’s 150-year history. ITU is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies. In her role, Director Bogdan-Martin is a champion for gender equality and the expansion of digital opportunity. She leads the ITU’s Telecommunications Development Union where she has been adept at strengthening global partnerships and launching important initiatives like EQUALS, the ITU’s gender empowerment initiative.

Evelyn Remaley: NTIA Acting Assistant Secretary and Associate Administrator for Office of Policy Analysis and Development

In addition to serving as the Acting Assistant Secretary, Evelyn leads the Office of Policy Analysis and Development (OPAD). Under her leadership, OPAD works to strengthen the U.S. response to cyber threats, protect online privacy, and develop policies that connect Americans to broadband Internet. “NTIA has a vital role to play in the digital advancement of women in the United States and around the world,” said Remaley. “Alongside Commerce Secretary Raimondo, we are dedicated to expanding broadband coverage so that those hit hardest by the digital divide can have equal access to the digital economy. We celebrate the contributions women have made to the digital ecosystem and NTIA is committed to ensuring that all woman can experience the benefits of that digital ecosystem which has become so essential to our daily lives.”

Dr. Sheryl Genco, Director of the Institute for Telecommunication Sciences

The Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS) in Boulder, Colo., is the Nation’s Spectrum and Communications Lab.  ITS is led by Dr. Sheryl Genco, the first woman to lead the lab in its 100-year history. ITS is on the cutting edge of communications research, and Dr. Genco is helping to cement the United States as a 5G leader. Dr. Genco emphasized that, “critical to our country’s success is a strong and vibrant engineering workforce and a commitment to promoting and supporting STEM education for women from elementary school through graduate programs. Creativity, curiosity, and excitement in state-of-the-art applied research is a foundation for our nation’s technical leadership for the next 100 years.”

Jaisha Wray, Associate Administrator for Office of International Affairs

NTIA is deeply committed to international engagement as well. Associate Administrator Jaisha Wray leads NTIA’s Office of International Affairs (OIA). Prior to her time at NTIA, Wray was the Director for International Cyber Policy in the Cybersecurity Directorate of the National Security Council. OIA represents U.S. interests before international bodies, encourages secure 5G systems, and promotes worldwide Internet connectivity. Through OIA’s efforts, the United States successfully supported Doreen Bogdan-Martin’s candidacy to lead the International Telecommunication Union’s Telecommunication Development Union. “We must continue to support the advancement of women in fields like technology and telecommunications. It has been an honor to work alongside a team of bright female leaders within NTIA and to support Doreen Bogdan-Martin’s historic role within the ITU,” said Wray.

Women in leadership at NTIA extend well beyond the policy and engineering operations to include Chief Financial Officer Maggie Mitchell, Chief Information Officer Catrina Purvis, Director of Budget and Finance Laura Pettus, and Chief Counsel Kathy Smith. These women are a critical part of fulfilling the NTIA mission. NTIA’s mission is to expand broadband Internet access and adoption in America, expand the use of spectrum by all users, and ensure that the Internet remains an engine for continued innovation and economic growth.

In honor of Women’s History Month, we are proud celebrate the women leaders of NTIA and look forward to future generations of women who are positioned to use and shape the technologies of the future. NTIA will continue to work with its domestic and international stakeholders to help empower women in leadership positions and to ensure access to the transformative power of the Internet.

Click here to learn more about NTIA and the important role they play in our Nation's economic growth.

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Shaping the Future of Technology: Women in Commerce’s NTIA Leadership Making a Difference in Tech Equity

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Shaping the Future of Technology: Women in Commerce’s NTIA Leadership Making a Difference in Tech Equity

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Biodiesel From Argentina and Indonesia

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Making a Place for Women in Manufacturing

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The following blog is from the Commerce Department’s National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST)

Women continue to explore new opportunities and make inroads into industries once almost exclusively male, such as manufacturing. The evidence shows that attitudes both in the industry and among women are changing. The industry is seeing the inherent value of an integrated and inclusive workplace where a diversity of viewpoints and ideas are represented. Manufacturers have come to see that diversity boosts the bottom line, fosters a more dynamic and creative environment, and improves employee morale and retention. This has led to a concerted effort to draw women into the manufacturing sector, beginning early on in their education, by making it clear that anyone can succeed in these careers. As a result, opinions about manufacturing are changing among women, with more and more women seeing a place for themselves in this exciting and challenging industry.

Manufacturing is not the dirty, dangerous and dull profession it used to be. It’s increasingly safe, clean — high-tech — and it supports more than operators on the shop floor. In fact, American manufacturers are facing a looming shortage of 2.4 million workers by 2028 (and potentially nearly half a trillion dollars in lost GDP), so now is the perfect time for women to think about pursuing a career in manufacturing and all the jobs associated with it. That includes women with skills ranging from design and marketing to administration, finance and sales, and cybersecurity. All these skills are needed to make any manufacturing enterprise a success.

Still, while women make up about 47% of the total workforce, they only make up about 30% percent of the 15.8 million people employed in manufacturing industries, and only 1 in 4 manufacturing leaders are women. Census data shows that those who work in manufacturing earn over 21% more than the median income (and women in manufacturing make 16% more than the median for women), though women still make only 72% of the median male salary in the industry, so there is progress to be made both in terms of representation and pay equity. And seeing as manufacturing is becoming increasingly high-tech, manufacturers risk overlooking highly skilled workers by not recruiting women, who earn more than half of the associate, undergraduate and graduate degrees awarded in the United States.

Women have the same potential to contribute to manufacturing as men, and we need them to have that opportunity if manufacturing in this country is to reach its full potential. Their conscious inclusion in the industry will bring a much-needed infusion of new ideas, different perspectives and talent into this vital sector of the American economy as we seek to “build back better.” Manufacturing in America is rooted in the idea of teamwork, where a group of people work together to accomplish a common goal. Today’s manufacturing challenges demand a diverse, multifaceted approach to problem solving, production and leadership. Manufacturing jobs are the kinds of jobs that make America strong, and we’re stronger when we all stand together.

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National Institute of Standards and Technology

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Biodiesel From Argentina and Indonesia

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Spotlight on Commerce: Rebecca Dorch, Senior Spectrum Policy Analyst, Institute for Telecommunication Sciences, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

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Guest blog post by Rebecca Dorch, Senior Spectrum Policy Analyst, Institute for Telecommunication Sciences, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

I am the Senior Spectrum Policy Analyst at the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Institute for Telecommunication Sciences located in Boulder, Colorado. I have had unique opportunities and remarkable experiences over the last 25+ years by being involved with spectrum policy as a federal employee, first at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and now at NTIA’s Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS). I also have experienced the transformational impact of spectrum policy as a citizen—from faster broadband speeds and the growth of Wi-Fi to today’s 5G deployments. Spectrum policy is a long game, so the successes, failures, and impacts are not generally immediately apparent or recognized.

ITS is home to the Nation’s Spectrum and Communications Lab and has a long history of impactful technical research and development, much of which is foundational to spectrum policy. Thinking about Women’s History Month cannot help but bring to mind Anita Longley, a much-admired spectrum pioneer from ITS. Along with her ITS colleague Phil Rice, in the 1970s Longley developed the Longley-Rice propagation model. The Longley-Rice propagation model (also known as the Irregular Terrain Model or ITM) was developed to improve the reliability of communications systems by harnessing the computational capabilities presented by computers to provide a means by which terrain roughness could be factored into the determination of signal strength.

Anita Longley’s propagation model is still used today and many advanced wireless analysis tools have the basic Longley-Rice methodology embedded in their programming. Propagation models are critical to spectrum sharing decision-making and pave the way to 5G and beyond. Indeed, Longley-Rice was one of the propagation models used to establish technical standards for spectrum sharing between military radars and the recently launched Citizens Broadband Radio Service.

This past year, I have realized even more clearly how the many years of technical, regulatory, and policy work by dedicated professionals and experts at both the NTIA and FCC have facilitated the exponential growth of new and innovative communications services. This technological growth has helped ease the connectivity challenges of many during 2020.

Having been in this field my entire career, I also realize there is enormous work still needed within the spectrum policy arena to realize the potential of 5G, improve spectrum utilization and efficiency, and automate spectrum management. These challenges are multidisciplinary and present opportunities for people with interests in electrical engineering, computer science, physics, atmospheric sciences, cybersecurity, data science, economics, philosophy, ethics, project management, and law to work together. Federal service provides opportunities for all to learn, advance, lead, and make a difference—whatever their gender. It is both humbling and exciting to be a part of that and to know that my work makes a difference in the world.

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of Department of Commerce employees during Women’s History Month.

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Rebecca Dorch, Senior Spectrum Policy Analyst, Institute for Telecommunication Sciences, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

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Rebecca Dorch, Senior Spectrum Policy Analyst, Institute for Telecommunication Sciences, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Biodiesel From Argentina and Indonesia

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Women-Owned Business Ownership in America on the Rise

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The following is a cross-post from the U.S. Census Bureau

Women-owned firms made up only 19.9% of all firms that employed people in the United States in 2018 but their numbers are growing.

There were 6,861 more women-owned firms in 2018 than in 2017, up 0.6% to 1.1 million, according to the Census Bureau’s Annual Business Survey (ABS).

Women-owned employer firms reported nearly $1.8 trillion in sales, shipments, receipts or revenue and employed over 10.1 million workers with an annual payroll of $388.1 billion in 2018.

The ABS provides data on race, ethnicity, sex and veteran status of owners of businesses with one or more paid employees. This information can be invaluable in helping economic development organizations promote growth of minority and women business ownership in their areas.

As the nation recognizes Women’s History Month, this data highlights some of women’s contributions to our economy.

Women Business Growth by Sector

Women-owned firms in the Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation sector rose 10.5%, from 22,219 in 2017 to 24,542 in 2018. The 10 sectors shown in the chart below also saw growth in women-owned businesses.

Characteristics of Women Business Owners

Demographic characteristics of the nation’s women-owned firms are similar to their male-owned firm counterparts.

Most women-owned businesses are run by White women (82.8% of all women-owned firms), non-minority (74.6%), non-Hispanic (92.4%), and non-veteran (98.9%).

Are There More Women-Owned Businesses in Some Sectors?

Women-owned firms tend to be more concentrated in certain sectors than all firms overall. According to the ABS, 191,230 or approximately 16.8% of the nation’s total 1.1 million women-owned firms in 2018, were classified in the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, compared to 14.3% for all firms in the sector.

Employees of women-owned firms were also concentrated in certain sectors. Nearly 2.0 million or approximately 19.4% of the 10.1 million employees of women-owned firms worked in the Health Care and Social Assistance sector in 2018, compared to 14.9% of all firm employees.

Sex Parity

Average annual earnings of employees of women-owned firms lag behind the national earnings average of the workers of all firms:  $38,238 in average annual payroll per employee compared with $54,114.

Women-owned firms in nine of the 20 sectors the ABS covered had average annual payroll per employee statistically lower than the total for all firms in those sectors.

The lack of sex parity was also visible in average annual sales, shipments or revenue.

In 2018, women-owned firms earned an average of $1.6 million in sales, shipments or revenue; male-owned firms earnings were double that at $3.2 million.

What States Have the Most Women-Owned Businesses?

With more firms than any other state (742,139), it’s not surprising that the nation’s most populous state, California, also had the most women-owned firms in 2018.

California’s 149,927 women-owned firms employed over 1.3 million workers with $57.4 billion in annual payroll in 2018.

In Hawaii, women-owned firms made up 24.7% of all firms in the state. In Virginia, women-owned firms made up 23.7% of all firms, and in Colorado women-owned firms made up 22.2% of all firms in the state.

In terms of employment, women-owned firms in Montana made up 11.0% of all employees in the state.

Women-owned firms in the District of Columbia reported average annual payroll per employee of $57,031, higher than the national average of $38,238 for all women-owned firms in the United States.

What About the Self-Employed?

In addition to ABS data on women-owned employer businesses, the new Nonemployer Statistics – Demographics (NES-D) program publishes data on women-owned nonemployer firms,  typically referred to as self-employed. The 10.6 million self-employed women-owned firms in 2017 reported sales, shipments, or revenue of $286.1 billion.

The NES-D program supplements ABS data and includes similar breakouts by the race, ethnicity and veteran status of the business owner. It also includes data the business itself, including the industry classification, and breakouts by receipts size and legal form of organization. Combining the ABS and NES-D data gives us the total number of women-owned firms in the United States.

Some key statistics from the 2017 NES-D:

The nearly 1.6 million Hispanic women-owned firms reported sales of $34.7 billion in 2017.

The nearly 3.7 million minority women-owned firms reported sales of $83.8 billion in 2017.

The 142,000 veteran women-owned firms reported sales of $3.1 billion in 2017.

Where Do We Go From Here?

As governments and communities strive to encourage business ownership by people who mirror the race and ethnicity of their residents, there is also a push to have business ownership reflect the sex of the workforce.

The Census Bureau’s ABS and NES-D provide key data that federal agencies, for example, can use to promote business ownership by women. The Small Business Administration, the Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency, and the National Women’s Business Council also provide key resources to encourage women-owned businesses, along with dozens of federal, state, local and private sector organizations.

ABS data are only possible thanks to the millions of businesses who respond to Census Bureau surveys and programs.

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Women-Owned Business Ownership in America on the Rise

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Women-Owned Business Ownership in America on the Rise

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Biodiesel From Argentina and Indonesia

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Spotlight on Commerce:  Tanika Hawkins, Acting Director of Administration, Office of the Secretary

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Guest blog post by Tanika Hawkins, Acting Director of Administration, Office of the Secretary

I have served for 25 years at the U.S. Department of Commerce. I am the Acting Director of Administration with the Commerce Department’s Chief of Staff and oversee, coordinate, and perform all administrative functions and essential tasks for the Office of the Secretary. Each day, I directly support the Secretary and Deputy Secretary and serve as the liaison for the Chief of Staff to other departmental bureaus and offices within the Office of the Secretary. My office is responsible for managing the Commerce department’s financial resources, human resources and facilities as well as establishing and monitoring the implementation of departmental policies and procedures for administrative functions affecting program operations in Commerce’s operating units.

Before coming to the Office of the Secretary, I supported the essential functions for three Commerce agencies including the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the International Trade Administration (ITA) and the Economic Development Administration (EDA).

I was born and raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland where I currently reside with my husband of 20 years and son.

What I love most about my job at the Department of Commerce is its greatest resource, the people.  It’s been a pleasure being an integral part of four Presidential transitions and working for three Secretaries of Commerce.

My advice to today's youth is to set goals, establish good work habits, and be committed and dedicated to your career. Always strive for a career, opposed to a job.

My greatest inspiration is my mother. She worked for 41 years as a civil servant for Department of State and traveled around the world. She has always encouraged me, prayed for me, loved me into the women I am today. I am thankful for her inspiration. So, in honor of Women's History Month, I salute her.

To me, Women's History Month is a time to acknowledge and spotlight women that have made an impact on the world through accomplishment in society, community, activism, leadership, and technology. Being able to empower women around me brings me great joy.

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of Department of Commerce employees during Women’s History Month.

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Tanika Hawkins, Acting Director of Administration, Office of the Secretary

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Tanika Hawkins, Acting Director of Administration, Office of the Secretary

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Biodiesel From Argentina and Indonesia

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Spotlight on Commerce: Ashley Zuelke, Program Manager, Denver Regional Office, U.S. Economic Development Administration

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Guest blog post by Ashley Zuelke, Program Manager, Denver Regional Office, U.S. Economic Development Administration

I serve as a Program Manager in the Denver Regional Office at the Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). I joined EDA in August 2020 to support economic response to and recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. My team and I work with applicants throughout our 10-state region, manage grants, and ensure we are making impactful investments, such as capitalizing Revolving Loan Funds that provide gap financing to small businesses, partnering with states to support rural resiliency planning, equipping the next generation of nurses, and more. These investments advance job growth and contribute to economic resilience, quality of life, and opportunity – objectives that have driven me since the beginning of my career.

I graduated from the University of Montana in 2009 - at the height of the Great Recession - with degrees in journalism and international relations. I was fortunate to have opportunities to serve at the U.S. Embassy in Paris and in the U.S. Senate. In 2010, I was hired to work in the Office of the Secretary of Commerce. That year, President Obama launched the National Export Initiative to spur economic recovery and support jobs by helping U.S. businesses expand sales to international customers. After serving in legislative affairs for two years, I joined the Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration and, for the next four years, coordinated and developed programs and policies to help U.S. exporters – particularly women-owned businesses, businesses owned by people of color, and start-ups – grow and support local economies. As part of that trade promotion coordination work, I’m proud to have been part of a Bronze Medal Award-winning team and for originating a Presidential initiative to increase rural exports.

I have family on the Montana Hi-Line, and I deeply understand the value of helping a business create even one job in a small community. That’s why, after attaining a master’s in business and data analytics from University College London, I worked as the director of research for the Rural Community Assistance Partnership, a national nonprofit that builds capacity in rural communities in every state and U.S. territories.

After those experiences, joining EDA felt like a homecoming. EDA’s mission motivates me every day. I deeply admire and am inspired by my EDA colleagues. And I derive great fulfillment from working with EDA’s grantees and partners, including those in my original home state. I am excited for EDA’s future, and the impact EDA investments will have in our nation’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. We truly are building better, more resilient local economies together, and I am honored to be a part of it.

A fellow Montanan, U.S. Representative Jeannette Rankin, was the first woman ever elected to Congress. She said, “I want to be remembered as the only woman who ever voted to give women the right to vote.” When I was asked to share my story here, I thought of several women who have extended the opportunity to me in the spirit of Rankin’s words. Many of those role models were, and still are, colleagues at the Commerce Department. They helped me understand the importance of extending the career ladder to others, serving the underserved and expanding equity. They inspire me to be a mentor at EDA and through organizations like the Colorado Leadership Alliance. I am so grateful to those leaders and the women whose stories may go untold but are no less important. The fact that I can think of so many women – too many to name – who have been instrumental to my and other’s success testifies to progress made and progress we celebrate this Women’s History Month.

Ed. note: This post is part of the Spotlight on Commerce series highlighting the contributions of Department of Commerce employees during Women’s History Month.

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Ashley Zuelke, Program Manager, Denver Regional Office, U.S. Economic Development Administration

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Ashley Zuelke, Program Manager, Denver Regional Office, U.S. Economic Development Administration

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Biodiesel From Argentina and Indonesia

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Commerce’s USPTO Concludes Successful Women’s Entrepreneurship Symposium 

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The Commerce Department’s U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s (USPTO) hosted the final installment of the 2021 Women’s Entrepreneurship Symposium (WES) today and heard from a diverse panel of successful women innovators who shared their stories of entrepreneurship and the challenges they faced along the way.

WES, an annual event launched in 2011, has proven to be one of the USPTO’s most popular programs to date. Over 6,000 attendees tuned in this year to hear lessons learned, helpful tips, and resources for women entrepreneurs to protect the various forms of intellectual property (IP) which might be present in their businesses - namely patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets.

Today’s panel of three women described how they got to where they are, and what they recommend for all the aspiring young women in our country. They also addressed the vital role of intellectual property (IP) protection, how to identify a market segment for growth, and discussed best practices and successful habits in today’s changing business climate.

Panelists included Janeya Griffin, Founder and CEO, The Commercializer; Rea Huntley, Founder and CEO, Lavii INC; and Sarah Gibson Tuttle, Founder and CEO, Oliver and June. Dr. Lisa Cook, Professor at Michigan State University, and Edison Research Fellow at the USPTO, moderated the panel. Dr. Cook is part of USPTO’s Office of the Chief Economist.

Throughout the month of March, the WES Women’s Entrepreneurship Symposium (WES) offered engaging, expert panels featuring successful women entrepreneurs, notable inventors, and subject matter experts from the USPTO, the International Trade Administration and the Small Business Administration.

In addition, the discussions focused on important topics such as expanding opportunities for women and underrepresented groups in innovation, increasing educational opportunities for girls and women in invention and STEM, and highlighting the role women entrepreneurs play in innovation and economic growth.

View the playlist of all WES sessions on the USPTO’s YouTube page and browse all upcoming USPTO events.

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USPTO Graphic on Women's Entrepreneurship Symposium

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USPTO Graphic on Women's Entrepreneurship Symposium

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U.S. Department of Commerce Issues Affirmative Preliminary Antidumping Duty Determinations on Biodiesel From Argentina and Indonesia

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Twenty Five Years Later: Commerce Continues to Honor the Lives of Secretary Ron Brown and Eleven Commerce Employees

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Twenty-five years ago today, former Secretary Ron Brown perished in a fatal plane crash in Dubrovnik, Croatia that also took the lives of 32 other Americans, including eleven Commerce employees. Brown was leading a delegation of business executives to the former Yugoslavia to explore business opportunities that might help rebuild the war-torn region and sought to make a meaningful difference in the Balkans.

“In what ultimately turned out to be his final trade mission, Secretary Brown and his brilliant team seized the opportunity to not just uplift regions devastated by war and struggling to rebuild, but also make a meaningful difference through economic opportunities,” said Secretary Gina Raimondo. “That is why I am especially privileged, at this time in history, to lead a team of talented professionals who are committed to excellence and fulfilling Secretary Brown’s and this Department’s mission to ensure economic opportunities for all Americans.”

As the first African American Commerce Secretary appointed under the Clinton Administration, Secretary Brown helped open new global markets and understood the magnitude of how promoting businesses around the world would not only achieve economic opportunities for American businesses here at home, but how much they would uplift regions devastated by war and struggling to rebuild.

Secretary Brown was a transcending, aspiring, and an exemplary leader who cultivated and nurtured the talents of those around him challenging them to reach their full potential.  Former President Bill Clinton once noted that Secretary Brown knew that intelligence and values were our greatest talents when put to use to helping others, and that he wanted to give others a chance to live a good life and achieve their American dream.

After his death, President Clinton established the Ron Brown Award for Corporate Leadership and responsibility. This annual award is a U.S. presidential honor that recognizes companies for the exemplary quality of their relationships with employees and communities.

The Commerce Department also honors the life of Ron Brown each year by awarding the Ron Brown Excellence in Innovation Award to one exemplary Commerce employee who embodies the spirit and standards held up by Ron Brown. In addition, Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) honored Secretary Brown shortly after his death by renaming the largest ship in their fleet to the NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown. Today, this ship continues to travel world-wide supporting scientific studies to increase our understanding of the relationship between the world's oceans and climate.

Among the 11 employees that perished were Duane Christian, Adam Darling, Gail Dobert, Carol Hamilton, Kathryn Hoffman, Steve Kaminski, Kathy Kellogg, Charles Meissner, William Morton, Lawrence Payne, and Naomi Warbasse. These extraordinary public servants made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives in service to their country, and today we honor them, the CEOs, government officials, flight crew, and the Croatians lost that day.

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Official Photo of Former Commerce Secretary Ron Brown

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Official Photo of Former Commerce Secretary Ron Brown

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Commerce Secretary Raimondo Hosts Town Hall Meetings with Employees:  Stresses Importance of Accessibility, Equality and Transparency 

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On March 3, Gina M. Raimondo was sworn in as the 40th U.S. Secretary of Commerce by Vice President Kamala Harris. And, since then, she has hit the ground running by hosting a series of town hall meetings with Commerce Department employees in locations around the world throughout the month of March.

In her role as Secretary of Commerce, Raimondo will lead ten key agencies focused on promoting jobs and economic growth including the International Trade Administration, the Bureau of Industry and Security, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Economic Development Administration, Minority Business Development Agency, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Bureau of Economic Analysis, and National Institute of Standards and Technology.

During each town hall meeting, Secretary Raimondo praised the fact Commerce is home some of the brightest minds in the federal government – including some of the best scientists, economists, and experts across every field.

“One of my top priorities as Commerce Secretary is to ensure that I have a strong line of communication with all the bureaus that make up the Department of Commerce. I want to understand what you all are working on and to be accessible and transparent in the decisions we make at the Department level that affect the different parts of Commerce,” she said.

Secretary Raimondo expressed her pride in leading a department that looks like America and her commitment to diversity.  She stressed that every employee in the Commerce Department will play a key role in rebuilding the economy and getting Americans back to work.

“This is our opportunity to tackle our most pressing challenges and create a more equitable economy for all Americans. From scientists forecasting the weather and grant administrators supporting communities across the country, to trademark examiners and census takers – we have the tools within the Commerce Department to uplift communities that have been left behind,” she said.

At each town hall meeting, Secretary Raimondo outlined her key priorities to include: Investing in the American workforce; helping small and minority-owned businesses reach their potential; establishing digital equity and broadband access for every American; ensuring American manufactures can compete fairly on the global playing field; and prioritize innovation and technology to bring back jobs to the United States. Prior to each agency town hall meeting, Secretary Raimondo met with bureau leadership on their goals and priorities

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, each town hall was held virtually. Secretary Raimondo expressed optimism that the next round will be held in-person, but stressed safety is her number one priority in returning to the workplace.

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Commerce Secretary Raimondo Hosts Virtual Town Hall Meetings with Employees

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Commerce Secretary Raimondo Hosts Virtual Town Hall Meetings with Employees

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Secretary Raimondo to Host the 2021 Investment Summit!

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We are pleased to announce that U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo will host the 2021 SelectUSA Investment Summit happening June 7-11, 2021.

Secretary Raimondo serves as the 40th U.S. Secretary of Commerce, recently sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris. As Secretary, Gina Raimondo's mission is centered around the development of good-paying jobs, empowerment of entrepreneurial innovation and growth, and helping American workers and businesses compete.

“I am excited to host this year’s SelectUSA Investment Summit,” said Secretary Raimondo. “As the global economy continues to build back from the COVID-19 pandemic, investments here in America will help drive our economic recovery. We have the workforce, the resources, and the ideas to help businesses grow and compete – and I am looking forward to showcasing that alongside our great public and private sector leaders.”

The 2021 Investment Summit will feature programs focused on the U.S. investment environment, industry trends, and new opportunities while concurrently promoting foreign direct investment (FDI) in the United States. Additionally, the 2021 Investment Summit will introduce the Select Global Women in Tech Mentorship and Training Network, a global mentorship network supporting international female tech entrepreneurs interested in expanding their business to the U.S.

SelectUSA is thrilled to host the 8th annual, and first virtual Investment Summit—five days of interactive workshops, speakers, and more. Browse the expanding Agenda and preview the meeting platform Demo Video for a glimpse of the virtual platform.

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Secretary Raimondo 2021 SelectUSA Investment Summit

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Secretary Raimondo 2021 SelectUSA Investment Summit