Equal Opportunity Office strengthens Wright-Patt through diversity

  • Published
  • By Loren Deer
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – The Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Equal Opportunity office works nonstop to help individuals successfully fulfill the Air Force mission with its assistance.

Stephanie L. Lee is the Equal Opportunity Director as well as the Negotiated Dispute Resolution Program Manager for the installation.

“The primary mission of the Equal Opportunity Program is to eradicate unlawful discrimination and to sustain Air Force policy to provide equitable opportunities to our workforce and secure a discrimination free workplace,” said Lee.

The Equal Opportunity office is made up of five equal opportunity specialists, civilian and military.

“We are committed to providing a positive human relations environment through education, training, and technical assistance to leaders, employees, and military members,” said Lee.

The training that the EO office provides helps everyone to be able to identify, understand, and prevent discrimination.

“The EO office offers counseling services for civilian and military complaints, analysis to leadership on the Defense Equal Opportunity Climate Surveys and provides a biannual assessment to the wing commander regarding EO trends data and the climate of the installation to ensure our work, living and recreation areas remain free of discrimination barriers,” said Lee.

Equal Employment Opportunity helps to promote and protect the diversity within Wright-Patterson’s workforce.

“It is important for organizations to adhere to the EO policy, which states that we must promote an environment free from personal, social, or institutional barriers that prevent individuals from rising to the highest level of responsibility,” Lee said.

Lee said that it is against Air Force policy (military and civilian), to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older/civilians), disability, reprisal, or genetic information.

According to the Department of Labor Statistics, a diverse workforce is more likely to succeed than one that isn’t.

“Diversity is what makes each person unique and different based on their background, characteristics, experiences, language and physical abilities consistent with the Air Force Core Values and mission,” said Lee.

Lee explained that the EO office sits on the Special Observance Committee, chaired by the Civilian Personnel Officer to recognize: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., African American History Month, National Women’s History Month, Days of Remembrance, Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride M, National Hispanic Heritage Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, national American Indian /Alaska Native Heritage Month.

“I am proud to represent an office of dedicated EO professionals. We continuously train and remain current on our processes, laws, directives and instructions that govern the EO program,” said Lee.

For additional information on our services, programs and complaint processing, please call the EO office at (937) 904-5950.