SENATOR SAYS SHE WILL SUPPORT FIRST WOMAN TO LEAD PA NATIONAL GUARD

Harrisburg, Nov. 25, 2003 – State Sen. Connie Williams said it has been a year of firsts for Pennsylvania women and she likes it.

“In January Pennsylvania swore in our first woman to the position of lieutenant governor and now we are poised to appoint the first woman in Pennsylvania’s history to command the state’s National Guard,” Williams said. “This is a giant step forward for women and is an apt demonstration of how committed the governor is to ensuring equal opportunity for women.”

The Senate must approve Gov. Ed Rendell’s appointment of Brig. Gen. Jessica Wright to the position of state adjutant general. In this position, Wright will serve as the top administrative officer for the 20,000-member Pennsylvania National Guard. Additionally, the state adjutant general has oversight over the network of services for Pennsylvania’s 1.3 million veterans.

With this appointment, Wright makes history in Pennsylvania and becomes the second woman in the nation to command a state’s National Guard.

“It is wonderful that the governor is so committed to advancing women and that he is looking beyond traditional gender roles in selecting Pennsylvania’s new generation of leaders,” Williams said.

“It’s also exciting to recognize the fact that General Wright will be a leader in a traditionally male-dominated field, and that this will not be an issue when her appointment comes before the Senate for confirmation. Not too many years ago, this appointment would have been inconceivable, but today, Pennsylvania women are able to attain career goals and positions in government, the military, education and private industry that are equal to their experience and knowledge. Just think what the future holds!”

Williams has long advocated for equal opportunity for women and this year was asked by the governor to join an Ad Hoc Committee on Minority and Women Business Opportunities in Pennsylvania.

“I readily agreed, because I believe that women have a great deal to offer in whatever arena they participate,” Williams said. “This is not a new issue for me. I was a business consultant before being elected to state office. I understand the roadblocks and the barriers minority- and women-owned businesses face with access to capitol and exclusion from the ‘old boys’ network.”

Williams has introduced legislation (S.B. 933) to assist women entrepreneurs through the creation of the Women’s Business Ownership Council within the Department of Community and Economic Development. Additionally, Williams prime-sponsored legislation (S.B. 278) that would create the Office of Women’s Health within the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The office would serve to educate and advocate for women’s health, as well as act as a clearinghouse and resource for information regarding women’s health data, services and programs.

“I will be proud to support the nomination of Brigadier General Wright when it comes before the Senate,” Williams said. “The opportunities afforded to women in Governor Rendell’s New Pennsylvania are limitless.”