Memories from a Federal Working Girl

Patricia always wanted to work for the federal government. After a visit to the White House when she was nine years old, she was "hooked." Patricia grew up in rural Orange, Virginia, where her family owned a small farm. There, with her parents, Willis and Helen Shirley, three brothers, three sisters, and Grand and Pappy, her paternal grandparents, she was told if she worked hard she would succeed. That there was "no one out there better than she," but to always remember she was no better than anyone else. She began her federal career as a file clerk working for the US Food and Drug Administration. After a year, she accepted a position with the US Navy where she worked as a draftsman and report preparer. Continuing her federal journal, she accepted a position with the US Air Force where she worked as the division secretary for the chief of the division. Seeking an increase in pay and more responsibility, she accepted a position with the Office of Secretary of Defense as a legislative assistant, interacting with congress members and their staffs. After a short period, she was offered a position in the international and intelligence law division, interacting with our intelligence agencies: CIA, DIA, and National Security Agency. Patricia continued to progress in her career accepting a position with defense research and engineering, first working with and interacting with our NATO allies and then with the Defense Science Board where she became executive assistant to the director. After the 9-11 terrorist attacks, Patricia accepted a position with the administrative office of US Courts as an administrative analyst planning training sessions for judges' secretaries. Patricia ended her federal career in 2008 after forty years of serving our government.