Defense Threat Reduction Agency

On Tuesday, July 14, Willisa M. Donald of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) received the prestigious Roy Wilkins Renown Service Award in recognition of her contribution to equal opportunity policies and programs during the 106th NAACP National Convention in Philadelphia.

Donald, the Director of the DTRA/ U.S. Strategic Command Center for Weapons of Mass Destruction’s (SCC-WMD’s) Equal Opportunity and Diversity Programs office, was honored alongside fellow recipients from the Army, Navy, Air Force and National Guard Bureau for their work promoting civil rights.  The award is named after Roy Wilkins, who led the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for more than two decades and established the NAACP Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Department in 1969.

Presented during the 40th Annual NAACP Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs Awards Luncheon, the award recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of individuals who distinguish themselves by promoting the tenets of civil/ human rights, equal opportunity, human relations, and/ or public service.  Award criteria include promoting the development or advancement of all DoD personnel, and assisting in overcoming discrimination and eliminating barriers that hinder opportunity for all members of the Armed Forces and civilian workforce.

Working in civil rights for 24 years, Donald has spent the past 6 years with the Department of Defense, at DTRA. 

“For 24 years I’ve been administering Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Civil Rights just because I love to do it,” says Donald.  “It’s very heart-felt for me to be recognized for doing something every day that helps others and that brings me so much joy.  Being identified as deserving by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Mr. Myers and Ms. Durand is humbling; for them to say and think that my service warrants such an award is an honor—it’s a great honor!”

DTRA’s Equal Employment Opportunity accomplishments, thriving under Donald’s leadership, include the Hispanic Working Group, Diversity Training and Special Emphasis programs that feature different speakers each month to educate the workforce.

“Later this summer, we have Adm. Michelle J. Howard coming (to the Defense Threat Reduction Center),” says Donald.  “Admiral Howard is the first 4-star female admiral—and the first 4-star black female admiral.  So, just having different speakers such as her, who have made great strides and have achieved so much, is something that is great for the agency.”

Other EEO activities include the disability program, climate assessments, resolving complaints, providing a training course on EEO for Supervisors, and visits to remote agency locations to provide training and ensure compliance.

“Supervisors and managers will often come to EEO, just to ask questions or if they have concerns,” added Donald.  “That’s really what a fully-engaged EEO office should be doing.  We’re supposed to be making sure we’re involved in every aspect of the mission, and so that’s our daily goal.”

The citation for her Roy Wilkins Renown Service Award underscores Donald’s steadfast support of the agency’s Mentoring Program, special emphasis programs, and commitment to building and fostering talent and diversity among employees, as well as her strong belief for equal opportunity and advancement for all.

 “I truly love what I do—I am fulfilling my purpose in life,” says Donald.  “A lot of what we do is regulatory, but I also enjoy the diversity aspect of the programs—helping people to get along and work with one another, respecting our differences.  I enjoy it—I find value in it—personally and professionally.” 

At this point in her career, Donald is busy passing on her considerable knowledge about EEO programs to others.

“I am at a pivotal point in my career, where I am paying it forward, as often as I can,” says Donald. 





For more information on the NAACP Roy Wilkins Renown Service Award click here