Honoring the Women Serving Our Organization and Community
By: Orange County Communications
International Women ’ s Day is observed annually on March 8. First recognized by the United Nations in 1977, it is “ a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic, or political. ” The date was chosen in recognition of important milestones of women's ’ suffrage movements in the early twentieth century. The United States later recognized the entirety of March as women ’ s history month in 1987.
Simply reviewing our staff breakdown reveals the strong contributions of women in Orange County. In fact, 56% of our employees are female. They serve our community in virtually every department, from Fire and EMS to Administration, from Planning Services to the Libraries. However, this percentage doesn ’ t tell the whole story. A more in - depth look reveals that women make up well over half our senior leadership, at 64%. The Senior Leadership Team is comprised of department heads and upper administration. In terms of administrators, two out of three of our highest - level positions (our Deputy County Administrator and
Assistant County Administrator) are filled by women. Women are also well - represented in the elected positions of Orange County and the towns of Gordonsville and Orange.
Nicole Washington is Director of Development Services and a member of Senior Leadership.
Interestingly, in the same year the United States adopted March as Women ’ s history month, Orange County elected its first female member to the Board of Supervisors. Arlene
Baker represented the Madison District (which today lies mostly in District One) in the late eighties and early nineties. She was known for an exciting and varied life that included holding a pilot ’ s license, farming, and working with stained glass, which seems fittingly in - line with the wide range of activities and
Arlene Baker served as Supervisor of the Madison District from 1988 to 1991.
trades available in Orange County. Since Supervisor Baker, there have been three additional women to serve on the Board, including Terri Pace, Shannon Abbs, and Crystal Hale. Supervisor Hale began her elected term this January.
Firefighter/Medic Hailey Brown and Firefighter/EMT Kaitlyn Lunsford serve our residents from Rescue Station 23.
Contrary to the current situation in Orange County, women have not always had the opportunity to serve at the top levels of local government. The ICMA ’ s (International City/County Management Association) “ Task Force on Women in the Profession ” noted that in the mid 1970’ s only 1% of top government administrators were women. That number has risen to almost 20% today, but there is obviously still a divide across much of the field. We are proud of the enduring leadership and positive impacts made by the hard - working female members of the Orange County team!
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