Celebrating the successes and challenges of working women
The recently held Washington Women in Trades “Dream Big Dinner” honored the legacy of “Rosies” – a nickname for “Rosie the Riveter” – women who worked in factories during World War II. The award ceremony recognized the successes and challenges of working women, as well as students, advocates, and workplace leaders.
The event was attended on behalf of King County by Joe Baca, a Community Workforce Agreement Administrator in the Department of Natural Resources and Parks’ Wastewater Treatment Division, and Samantha Kealoha, Labor Equity Program Manager with the Department of Executive Services Finance and Business Operations Division. The two were seated with Georgie Kunkel, a 98-year-old comedian and honorary “Rosie” for the night, who participates in talks and poetry readings at open mic events across the region. Joe and Samantha enjoyed being able to represent King County at the event as it gave them insight into the history of these amazing women.
“It gave me an opportunity to witness all the achievements these proud women shared from their lives during World War II,” said Joe. “Without them, the foundation for bringing the country together during turbulent times would not have happened so early in our history.”
Pictured: At this year’s Washington Women in Trades “Dream Big Dinner,” King County employees Samantha Kealoha and Joe Baca were seated with Georgie Kunkel, a 98-year-old comedian and honorary “Rosie” for the night.
The event also highlighted the current status of women, and others, in the trades industry. It shared information about the efforts of King County and surrounding areas to diversify the industry and include underrepresented workers.
“This event represents the sisterhood within the industry and how we are changing the face of the industry,” said Samantha. “Data shows that our region has surpassed the national average for women representation in this industry and events like this [dinner] recognize that push and those women and individuals who are part of this effort for change. “
King County looks forward to continuing this work, building a brighter, better future grounded in the passionate, capable work of those women and others who came before, like Georgie. Joe captures the sentiment of the evening for him and Samantha below, and how exciting it is to be part of that change.
“The event allowed me to be a witness to the achievements and honors bestowed on the women in the construction trades of today, and continue to marvel at their strength, abilities, and courage to be leaders,” he said. “I have no doubt the perseverance of the women in trades today will leave a shining example for new generations to follow, and I hope to be a part of this for many years to come. “
The “Dream Big Dinner” was well attended by public agencies, a host of “Rosies,” labor unions, contractors, apprentices and journey workers, and other honored guests. For more information about the Women in Trades Fair and the Dinner visit www.wawomenintrades.com/dream-big-dinner.
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Thank you to you, our readers
Our top stories, videos, and social media posts for 2018
Throughout 2018, the Employee Communications Team highlighted the professional accomplishments, County opportunities and important events, challenges and successes of our employees, sharing these in our weekly Employee News e-newsletter, the KC Employee News blog, our Twitter account, LinkedIn account, and YouTube channel.
Thank you to all our readers for engaging with our content, sharing it with others, and continuing to show us how we can provide you the information you need to succeed in your career, live a healthy life, and do great work for our residents and our community.
The 10 most-clicked Employee News stories for 2018 were:
10. Accomplished artist brings “East Base Flair” to transit center – 532 views
9. King County remembers Sue Ammeter – 537 views
8. New department focused on helping employees succeed – 649 views
7. Employee proud to have positive impact, helping local youth succeed – 655 views
6. GPS locators coming to fleet vehicles – 729 views
5. New Departments and Leadership Transitions – 816 views
4. The bare bones: How WA State’s only forensic anthropologist does it all – 890 views
3. Employee workgroup takes on equity challenges – 920 views
2. Michael Bennett – Real man, real mentor, real inspiration – 1,005 views
1. State retirement plan contributions increased Sept. 1 – 1,167 views
The three most-watched videos were:
3. Get to know the Senior Leadership Team – Whitney Abrams – 1,547 views
2. Nondiscrimination, Anti-Harassment and Inappropriate Conduct Policy – 1,847 views
1. Introducing King County Balanced YOU – 2,343 views
The three most-clicked LinkedIn posts were:
3. When thinking about Equity and Social Justice (ESJ), most people immediately think about age, ethnicity, and gender. Fewer people look deeper and realize that job classification can also be an ESJ issue. Shawn Abernethy, Human Resources Manager for the Department of Executive Services (DES) has been leading a group focused on just that: equity within workgroups. http://ow.ly/D6rr30lS2W7
2. With Executive Dow Constantine’s encouragement, Director Jennifer Hills has been working to change the way King County approaches risk. Rather than focusing on avoiding negative risk, Executive Constantine wants the County to use a balanced approach and take risk where it can add value. http://ow.ly/gQLp30jCwSJ“
1. One of the most satisfying things that a well-made map can do is convey a sense of place. An especially well-made map may convey a sense of a past place that both infuses and transcends a present location. Read more about the Japanese-American Remembrance Trail Map from Patrick Jankanish, GIS Specialist and Sr. Cartographer with King County Information Technology http://ow.ly/14rB30jQtpq
The three most-interacted with Twitter posts were:
3. RJT is one of our #KingCounty @iheartkcparks team members, and also represented Team Washington on the soccer field @2018USAGames! Here he is in our Employee Spotlight. http://ow.ly/3OAV30kYrSW @KCDNRP @KingCountyWA @CareersKC #GoPublic! View it here.
2. KOMO News did a recent feature on how how King County prevents voter fraud while counting ballots: “Vote by mail is a secure voting system,” King County Elections Director Julie Wise said. Read more http://ow.ly/iXZx30mxpYh #KingCounty #Vote View it here.
1. #Inclusion works! Our Supported Employment Program Manager Christina Davidson (center right) and two #KingCounty pros from @iheartkcparks and @kcmetrobus join @2018USAGames Job Fair host David Egan during the games in Seattle. #GoPublic @CareersKC @KingCountyWA @kcexec View it here.
Thank you for the amazing work you do every day and for giving us the opportunity to feature these achievements with other employees and the public. We strive to tell stories that highlight the work we do and that also supports our residents, builds strong communities, and helps to make our region a great place to live and work.
If you would like your work to be featured in Employee News in 2019, please email us at KCEmployees@kingcounty.gov.
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Pet of the Week: Kermit
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC
He’s a dog, not a frog – meet Kermit, our Pet of the Week!
This handsome young pittie mix is very sweet and snuggly! Kermit also loves to play and have fun. He can be a bit shy when meeting new people or being in new environments, but once he warms up he is a big ol’ sweetie who loves to do zoomies all over the yard!
Read more at Tails from RASKC
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Happy Holidays, we appreciate you!
Happy Holidays all our King County employees! Enjoy this time with loved ones and please stay warm and safe. Know that we appreciate you and everything you do in your work at King County. Thank you for your commitment, time and passion.
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Training Spotlight: Lean Problem-Solving Basics, Communication and Problem Solving Skills, King County GIS training
Lean Problem-Solving Basics, Feb. 5: Do you feel like you tackle the same problems over and over again? In order to effectively solve problems once and for all, they must be solved at the root! Read more and register.
Communication and Problem Solving Skills, Feb. 7: This one day training will address communication and problem solving skills with the public and with co-workers. This class covers skills for effective listening, speaking, dealing with conflicts and with defensive behavior. Read more and register.
King County GIS training, multiple dates: KC GIS is now offering its schedule of face-to-face GIS training classes in Seattle January through July 2019. Our GIS training program provides benefits to your employer through enhanced GIS effectiveness and ROI. GIS training also supports your future career development, while earning CEUs and GISP educational points. Read more and register.
Visit www.kingcounty.gov/learning to learn more about trainings and other opportunities to invest in YOU!
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Did you know you had this benefit? Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) can help you save an average of 30% on certain medical care and dependent care expenses by using pre-tax dollars. Learn more here.
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Employee discounts to Monster Jam and Monster Energy AMA Supercross
Employees can now access discounted tickets to Monster Jam and Monster Energy AMA Supercross at CenturyLink Field in Seattle during March 2019. Monster Jam is Saturday, March 15, 2019 at 7 p.m. Click here for instructions for the discount. Monster Energy AMA Supercross is Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 6:30 p.m. Click here for instructions for the discount.
See all available discounts on the Employee Discount page.
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Your Big Backyard is getting bigger
Crossposted from King County Parks Plog
King County Parks had a busy year making good on the levy promise to bring 2,700 acres into the King County system by 2020. By the time 2019 rolls around, Parks will be on the lookout for a mere 500 more acres to reach the goal. As an added bonus, scooping up lands happens to be in line with King County’s Land Conservation Initiativeto protect the livability, health, and ecological integrity of our region by preserving 65,000 acres of land within the next 30 years.
Read more at King County Parks Plog
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Volunteer registration now open for Count Us In 2019
All Home is now seeking volunteers for Count Us In 2019, the annual Point in Time (PIT) Count of people experiencing homelessness. The count will take place in the early hours of the morning of January 25, 2019 from 2 a.m.-6 a.m. The core purpose of the annual Point in Time (PIT) Count is to collect data on the needs of people experiencing homelessness in our community. The count also provides an excellent opportunity to increase awareness of homelessness and to spark action. A successful and accurate PIT Count is an essential component to informing the system response to the need in our community and to ultimately making homelessness rare, brief and one-time. Register here.
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Employee experience: Housing affordability in King County
At King County we are a 15,000 strong workforce of people committed to serving our 2.2 million residents, but like many in our community, some employees are facing an unprecedented challenge in finding and keeping a home they can afford in the county in which they work.
As we continue to identify strategies to tackle the shortage of affordable housing in our communities, we want to hear from employees: What is your experience as a King County employee trying to buy or keep a home close to your work? What challenges do you encounter? What barriers do you face?
If you would like to share your story, please email us at KCEmployees@kingcounty.gov and let us know your experience. Your ideas and perspectives will help us identify and shape policies to provide sufficient affordable housing units and home ownership opportunities for all King County residents.
Employee News 
