In 1984, while working in Airway Facilities (AF) Division, two female electronic technicians - Maureen Beharelle and Laura O'Malley – were curious if there might be any interest in forming a support group for women technicians in Airway Facilities. Maureen and Laura sent surveys to several female technicians asking of their interest in forming a group. The group would serve as a forum for providing information on technical changes in the AF world, helping each other through problem solving, and be able to discuss various aspects of work in the technical field.

Women were interested! In October 1986, the group wrote their first newsletter. Abby Call became the editor of the ‘No-Name’ newsletter in 1987. In August 1987, Cathy Hedglen submitted the winning name for the support group, Maureen Beharelle submitted the winning name for the newsletter, and Abby Call submitted the selected logo. The support group became known as the “Technical Women’s Organization (TWO)” and the newsletter was named “The Circuit.”

The first Technical Women’s Organization conference, held October 1988, took place at Washington Headquarters with the Civil Rights Office. With Civil Right’s assistance, the following women developed and formalized TWO’s Constitution and By-Laws. These women, Abby Call, Vianne Fowler, Karen Hammond, Clarissa Holland, Marie Meyer, Barbara Silva, and Betsy Titherington, later became our Charter Members.

Our TWO logo represents the following: The triangle is symbolic of a communication antenna, which symbolizes the technical career fields -- such as electronics technicians, flight certification specialists, inspectors, civil and electrical engineers. The circle symbolizes the unity of these career fields through TWO. The silhouette represents the membership, while the airplane symbolizes our purpose and our dreams.

TWO’s original Creed: We, as members of the Technical Women’s Organization, vow to provide support, promote understanding, and create a climate of cooperation between professionals in technical fields for the purpose of aviation safety.

Where TWO Founders Are Today (7/9/2009)?

Abby Call - Management Analyst, Engineering Support, ATO CSA
Barbara Silva - MMAC Quality Management System Project Director (ARC)
Clarissa Holland - Employee Development Functional Manager, Pgm. Support Center, ATO ESA
Karen Hammond - Business Planner, Performance Analysis & Strategy, ATO Headquarters
ViAnne Fowler - Manager, Technical Services, Western Technical Operations, ATO ESA
Marie Meyer - ATSS, Burbank SSC, Western Technical Operations, ATO WSA
Betsy Titherington - retired