NOW OPEN: 2025 Nominations/Applications for Awards and Scholarship are open! Submissions are due February 14 before 11:59 pm PDT.
SWPA origins can be traced to the 1973 American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) National Convention. At this convention, the National Committee on Women in Public Administration (NCWPA) was formed under the direction of Joan Fiss Bishop. The committee worked to promote the leadership of women in public administration and support local chapters.
As time went on, members realized there should be a formal Section with ASPA. In 1982, an application was approved to form SWPA with SWPA leaders aiming to continue the work of supporting and expanding efforts to support and train women in the field. SWPA remains a strong and active force, celebrating over five decades of advancing women’s contributions to the profession.
SWPA is governed by an executive committee and national board. The executive committee is made up of four SWPA members who serve as chair, vice-chair, treasurer, and secretary. The national board is made up of twelve SWPA members who are elected to staggered three year terms.