Christine Todd Whitman, Former U.S. EPA Administrator and Governor of New Jersey.

Welcome to the Excellence in Public Service Series web site. I am glad that you have found your way to this important program, because women have so much to offer public service.

If our Nation is going to achieve its highest potential, we must engage more women in the political process. That includes electing and appointing women to positions of leadership throughout government.

I am happy to say that progress is being made. More women are serving at all levels of government than ever before, but we have a long way to go until we are fully represented. Of course, the battle is not only being waged at the federal level. Though we will not give up the fight for more women in prominent national positions, we also need women in local and state government. We need them in the court houses and state houses, as mayors and magistrates, senators and state legislators.

I am proud that this Series bears my name and even more proud that alumnae, governors and supporters of the Series are working hard to achieve these goals. This program helps cultivate, educate, and inspire women to strive for the higher reaches of public service and to bring with them the intelligence, perspective, and special brand of leadership that define effective women. We can all benefit from the unique experiences of women, so I hope you will consider committing yourself to this effort. In doing so, you will extend and broaden a proud tradition of women leaders at the local, state and national levels.