Secretary's Opportunity 2000 Award

Pacific Telesis, San Francisco will be recognized for its successful affirmative action program and a number of executive and management development programs that produced a diverse workforce and helped women and minorities break the glass ceiling. Pacific Telesis, with more than 50,000 employees, has demonstrated a commitment to empower its diverse workforce by supporting programs designed to increase awareness and appreciation of various cultural differences and their impact in the workplace.

Exemplary Voluntary Efforts (EVE) Award

Allstate Insurance Company, Northbrook, IL. The largest publicly held property and casualty insurance company with a workforce of 46,000, Allstate has an integrated diversity management program which dates back to the 1960's. Its diversity program is an integral part of company policies and practices. It has been recognized as one of the best companies for working mothers and for its advancement of women in the workplace. Its chairman participated on a panel about affirmative action and diversity in corporate America at a White House conference in June 1995.

Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Lancaster, PA. The company has a diverse workforce despite the fact it is located in an area with a low population rate of minority groups. One of the projects responsible in achieving workplace diversity is a corporate mentoring program. During the past decade, Armstrong has supported initiatives to improve educational levels of minority students in the Lancaster area. It has focused on a high school dropout prevention program, internships and multi-cultural scholarships under the Lancaster Partnership Program which combines resources of seven other companies, Millersville University and the School District of Lancaster.

Cigna, Philadelphia One of the leading providers of insurance, health care, employee benefits, investment management and financial services to businesses and individuals worldwide, Cigna has more than 39,600 employees. Its exemplary efforts to retain a diversified workforce during a period of downsizing can serve as a model for other companies in similar circumstances. Cigna has an excellent representation of women and minorities at all levels, and provides managerial development and mentoring for these groups. It has nine diversity councils that actively promote a worker friendly environment, using focus groups and employee surveys to gauge the climate of the work environment.

Colgate-Palmolive Company, New York, NY. One of the largest leading global consumer products companies in the world, Colgate-Palmolive has focused its efforts on its greatest asset--its employees. Colgate believes that workforce diversity and inclusion at all levels is the most important contributor to its success and survival. Colgate continues to invest heavily in building the skills, abilities and potential of its employees by providing mentoring programs. It has also pioneered family related programs such as emergency child care, back-up care, child and elder care referral resources, as well as scholarship programs for children of Colgate employees. The company's EEO and affirmative action programs are monitored by the chairman.

Florida State University, Tallahassee The university's emphasis on equal employment opportunity and affirmative action dates to 1973 and includes both employees and students. The campus is the first educational institution in the state university system to hire a full-time affirmative action professional and has sponsored the National Conference on Equal Employment Opportunity. Its commitment to EEO is evidenced by workforce statistics which show increases for African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, women and Vietnam-era veterans. It has created a better work environment through a job-sharing program for mothers of young children. To ensure a diverse pool of applicants for job openings, Florida State's executive recruitment is handled by an executive assistant to the president.

KeyCorp, Cleveland KeyCorp is being recognized for identifying and developing employees with high potential for advancement throughout managerial ranks. It also is being recognized for the strong support of minority and women-owned businesses through its vendor and contracting programs, and for significant accomplishments in serving low income and disadvantaged communities throughout Cleveland. KeyCorp has implemented numerous friendly family and work-related programs including job support, alternative work schedules, flexitime, flexiplace and telecommuting, compressed work weeks, job sharing, and child care facilities.

Northern Trust Bank Corporation, Chicago Northern Trust has instituted a number of high profile diversity initiatives including the Corporate Diversity Council which has well-defined and established measurable 3-year goals in the areas of diversity, training, performance, management, representation, retention/development, and communication. An example of its commitment to diversity is the chairman's Diversity Advocate Award to recognize employees who champion and demonstrate a commitment to diversity. The prestigious award was established in 1995. The company has affiliate offices in Arizona, California, Florida and Texas, with more than 6,600 employees and assets of $19.9 billion.

The Rouse Company, Columbia, MD. One of the largest publicly held real estate development and management companies in North America, it is a leader in bringing about revitalized economic viability to urban centers, including Columbia, Md., and downtown marketplaces such as Gallery Place in Washington, D.C., Harborplace in Baltimore, Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston, and South Street Seaport in New York City. For 55 years, Rouse has given grants to community programs to help people from disadvantaged backgrounds overcome negative economic and social factors and gain necessary skills to improve their employability. These programs have included training for youth deemed unemployable in Baltimore; English language classes for Hispanics in Mt. Prospect, Il.; a residential job training and educational program for mentally challenged children and adults, dental services to underprivileged children in Detroit, and the Jubilee Housing of Washington, D.C., providing affordable rents to poor families.

Exemplary Public Interest Contributions (EPIC)

Chicago Women in Trades, Chicago A nonprofit community-based organization that began operations in 1981, it has served as an informal support group for women working in the construction industry. It is fully committed to affirmative action and equity in the workplace and has extensively promoted OFCCP goals. It helped create national legislation to help other community organizations replicate successful model of affirmative action through technical assistance. Its three publications have had national impact in opening doors for women and bringing attention to employment barriers in the construction industry. These publications are: Breaking New Ground: Worksite 2000, a comprehensive research study; Tools for Success, a manual for tradeswomen, and Building Equal Opportunity, an evaluation of the impact of affirmative action on six construction sites.

Chinese for Affirmative Action, San Francisco The organization has taken a leadership role in civil rights and employment, ranging from research and technical assistance to advocacy. During the past 20 years, it has contributed significantly to improve the hiring of minorities and women in those occupations and industries in which they were underrepresented. Through some of its projects, the number of women and minorities in public work construction was increased significantly, and through its advocacy and outreach and recruitment activities unprecedented employment opportunities were opened in San Francisco's police and fire departments.

Los Angeles Urban League The League addresses the needs of minorities, low-income and disadvantaged individuals at seven locations through varied services, including Head Start, adult literacy, vocational training, job placement, business development and other family related services. The number of clients served has risen dramatically--from 60,000 in 1993 to more than 80,000 in 1995. One of the League's most notable successes has been the high placement rate of graduates who have completed skills training programs. The placement rate for graduates from the Data Processing Training Center exceeds 90 percent.

SER-Jobs for Progress of the Texas Gulf Coast, Inc., Houston. Founded 30 years ago as a volunteer job bank primarily for Hispanics, it is today a full-service operation with 65 employees that operates educational and skills training projects to help the economically disadvantaged learn skills leading to better-paying jobs. Specialized and remedial training programs prepare the disadvantaged to gain skills required in today's labor market. Through its projects, SER also serves as an invaluable resource to federal contractors by referring qualified workers. This service helps federal contractors comply with affirmative action obligations.

AWARDS

The U. S. Department of Labor and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs take great pride in hosting a public awards program to honor Federal contractors and community organizations for their exemplary efforts in implementing equal employment opportunity and affirmative action programs in the workplace. These innovative programs help assure that our nations' work force demands for skilled workers is met and that it is diverse and representative at all work levels, from entry level to the boardroom.

THE SECRETARY'S OPPORTUNITY 2000 AWARD honors a Federal contractor for the successful implementation of a significant multi-faceted program ensuring equal employment opportunity and affirmative action within its organization, and for supporting these goals in the community.

EXEMPLARY VOLUNTARY EFFORTS (EVE) AWARDS honor Federal contractors, contractor associations, or educational institutions for outstanding programs that have enhanced equal employment opportunity in their workplaces.

EXEMPLARY PUBLIC INTEREST CONTRIBUTIONS (EPIC) AWARDS honor public interest organizations groups for their community efforts in a partnership that serves individuals seeking employment and Federal contractors. Public interest organizations provide training, employment, support and advocacy services within their communities. They serve as the match-maker, providing trained, qualified workers to contractors to help them fulfill their affirmative action obligations and ensure equal employment opportunity.

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.