WOMEN'S SUPPORT AND EMPOWERMENT COUNCIL
(WSEC)
Mission
Formerly the Women Scientists and Engineers Council, the Women's Support and Empowerment Council (WSEC) was created to provide support and to address issues that affect the careers of all women at Berkeley Lab. The WSEC and Berkeley Lab’s Human Resources Department work in partnership to determine priorities and develop strategies for recruitment, retention, work-life balance, and the empowerment of all women at Berkeley Lab.
Key activities include:
Engaging Lab leaders in recruitment, retention, career development, and promotion
Improving policies for work-life balance
Empowering Lab employees through training, recognition, and providing opportunities for networking
The WSEC is different from a traditional ERG because it is made up of members who are both Division-appointed as well as volunteers. Three subcommittees (policy, networking, and empowerment) meet separately to work on WSEC goals and key activities. WSEC members meet quarterly in January, April, July, and October.
Recent Accomplishments
Gathered and shared data to clarify retention, pay equity and parental leave for Lab community
Updated acronym to include all women at the Lab: from Women Scientists and Engineers Council to Women's Support and Empowerment Council
Initiated monthly Visible Spectrum highlighting talented women at the Lab
Offered rich program of events in honor of Women's History Month
Initiated quarterly meetings with Women's ERG counterparts at most National Labs across the U.S.
Ran dozens of Lab-wide social events, peer exchanges, and educational events
Collaborated on events with many other ERGs concerning intersectional issues
Developed new WSEC slideshows for Lab-wide presentations
Created and promoted ERG Welcome Letter
Developed a new logo
Raised a brand new banner
Celebrating Women
For ten years, Berkeley Lab staff from across almost all research areas have mentored TechWomen Emerging Leaders from across 20 countries.
The TechWomen program brings "Emerging Leaders" from Africa, Central and South Asia, and the Middle East mentorship, knowledge sharing, and network opportunities. Read more about it on techwomen.org.
Building on the DOE’s Women @ Energy: STEM Rising project, the WSEC has held four Women@ The Lab events between 2013 - 2020. Read profiles of our honorees on the Women @ The Lab website.
This year’s Women @ the Lab award ceremony was held virtually. Watch the replay where 15 talented and dedicated employees were honored for their work and achievements, as well as an overview of the Women Scientists and Engineers Council’s accomplishments to date.
The Visible Spectrum series spotlights talented, dedicated women employees at the Lab.
Peer Exchanges and Coffee hours and Special Events
The Networking Subcommittee hosts monthly networking peer exchanges and/or coffee hours where members learn from other women their experiences and challenges, share resources, and engage in fellowship together. Examples include:
WSEC Empowerment and Networking co-sponsored event: Lucinda Jackson, "Not 'Just a Girl' - Growing Up Female and Ambitious"
Parental Leave
WSEC has been collaborating with others at LBL to help improve parental leave information. Sometimes events occur in an employee’s life that may require a Family and Medical Leave (FML) and the Integrated Disability & Absence Management (IDAM) Services team is here to help.
Check out LBL's new visual resources here.
Click to view 1 minute IDEA slide
Activities
Monthly networking peer exchanges and coffee hours
Women@ The Lab event for FY20
Empowerment workshops
Celebrate Women's History Month
Policy - Chairs: Wei Feinstein, Shi Wang
Networking - Chairs: Katie Carney, Andrea Taylor
Empowerment Chairs: Baishakhi Bose, Liana Klivansky
More information on committee missions, initiatives and accomplishments: WSEC Subcommittees
Chairs
Chair: Vanessa Hsia
Vice-Chair: Lydia Rachbauer
Secretaries: Lauren Lui, Laleh Coté
Subcommittee Chairs: Katie Carney, Andrea Taylor, Baishakhi Bose, Liana Klivansky, Shi Wang, Wei Feinstein
Strategic Communications Liaison: Tiffany Win
Chair Emerita: Ina Reichel
Executive Sponsors
Carol Burns, Deputy Director for Research and Chief Research Officer
Henrik von der Lippe, Engineering Division Director and the Lab’s Chief Engineering Officer
Women’s Support and Empowerment Council (WSEC) executive co-sponsor Henrik von der Lippe shares his perspective as an ally and the importance of having an inclusive environment. Read the full interview>>
Membership is open to all LBNL employees. We ask that every member join one or more of the subcommittees that carries out the objectives of the WSEC. Subcommittees include: Policy, Networking and Empowerment.
Contact Information
For more information, please contact the WSEC Executive Committee at wsec-excom@lbl.gov.