Supporting Women and Girls Through the Homeland Security Mission

During Women’s History Month and every day, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) upholds the commitment to the rights, security and dignity of women and girls in everything we do. Through our work to combat human trafficking, protect the rights of immigrants who are victims of domestic violence and other crimes, and ensure parents have the tools they need to keep their children safe online, DHS continues to foster various initiatives that focus specifically on reaching out to and empowering women and girls every day.

We also uphold that commitment within our own workforce, by doing all we can to recruit qualified and talented staff, and by helping to create an environment where everyone has the opportunity to advance and thrive.

Leaders like Julia Pierson, who last year became the first female Director of the U.S. Secret Service, and Connie Patrick, the first female Director of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), have paved the way for women in law enforcement. These women are role models whose success encourages today’s young girls to pursue their dreams. They are also outstanding leaders, pure and simple.

DHS is proud to have so many remarkable women serving across the Department, including Kirstin Grote, Marcy Donnelly and Harleen Singh, three individuals featured as part of our Faces of Homeland Security. We recognize those who serve on the frontlines to ensure our Nation’s borders are secure, our traveling public is safe, and our cyber infrastructure is protected.

And through the work of the Blue Campaign, DHS’ unified voice to combat human trafficking; the DHS Council on Combating Violence Against Women; the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center’s (FLETC) international Women in Law Enforcement Leadership Training Program; and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) immigration relief for victims of crimes, as well as many others, DHS provides resources for the safety and empowerment of women and girls throughout the United States.

I am proud to serve alongside so many remarkable women from across DHS, and to continue our work for the protection and security of women and girls every day.

Click here for a fuller list of accomplishments by the Department of Homeland Security.  

Jeh Johnson is the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security