Let’s Move the Needle Forward with Intention!
By Pamela Antil and Tammy Letourneau
As the primary authors of the 2014 final report of the ICMA Task Force on Women in the Profession, we’d like give you the straight scoop here on what the “#13Percent” conversation is and isn’t really about.
The percentage of women in the most senior CEO/CAO positions in cities and counties has increased and decreased the past 40 years and was about 13 percent in the mid-1980’s and again in January 2015 when the use of #13Percent was started by our colleagues at ELGL and continued by us here at the League to draw attention to the low number of women in senior level local government postiions across the nation. A “#” is simply used to group articles and Twitter tweets about advancing women in local government together for others to easily find.
Today, women currently account for about 16 percent of the top CEO/CAO positions in local government across the nation (according to the latest numbers from the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). That being said, the use of “#13Percent” is a symbolic reminder of the work that still needs to be done to advance women to the most senior executive level positions in local government – not only in city administration, but as police and fire chiefs, department heads, and other senior level executive staff positions.
Since women make up a little more than 50 percent of ALL state and local government employees across the country, we want to see the needle move forward – and the #13Percent movement was born! And although the percentage of female CEO/CAOs and other executives will continue to fluctuate through the coming years, #13Percent will serve as a reminder that our work is not complete until diversity of all kinds, including gender, at the executive level is commonplace.
So what ISN’T this movement about?
#13Percent is NOT a slam against men in local government. We love our male colleagues in the profession. Many of our local government heroes and mentors are men. Many men have stepped forward to write blog posts and speak about the importance of advancing women in local government and supporting these efforts with intention.
The above being said, #13Percent does NOT mean that success will be singularly defined as a woman achieving City/County CAO status. Not every woman, or man for that matter, in local government wants to be a City or County Manager. #13Percent CELEBRATES when women reach their career goals — whether they become the CAO, Assistant CAO, department head, Police Chief, Fire Chief, etc. #13Percent simply seeks to OPEN THE DIALOGUE to ensure that women are sufficiently prepared and given consideration by elected officials for the top CAO spots.
#13Percent recognizes that GENDER DIVERSITY isn’t just a nice thing to think about, it’s actually been proven to contribute a more SUCCESSFUL & INNOVATIVE WORKPLACE. That’s why we’d like to see more GENDER BALANCED executive teams and organizations. More on the connection between gender diversity and its positive affects on organizations can be found here: Gallup and here: Business Ethics.
#13Percent is an OPEN DIALOGUE recognizing that one size does not fit all, but it is focused on striving for gender diversity and the ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT — of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds.
And finally, #13Percent believes EVERYONE’S VOICE IS IMPORTANT and should be heard! We’d love to hear your story and ideas. Share them HERE and KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING!
