Profiles of Members of EPA's LGBT Community: Charlena Bowling

Profiles of Members of EPA's LGBT Community

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Where were you born?

Wooster, OH.

What brought you to EPA?

I began as a part-time student contractor, referred by my college adviser in 2004, to fulfil my environmental engineering degree's work co-op requirement – it feels like pure luck that I was in the right place at the right time to get my foot in the door of the agency! I began in the former National Homeland Security Research Center, which was a new organization and research area at the time. After school I moved into a full-time student position and was later hired as a permanent federal employee in 2006.

Describe the type of work you do at EPA.

I’m a Public Affairs Specialist with the Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response's communications team and I love the variety that comes with this job! My team works with our management and researchers to communicate our applied research and technical support, and I lead our Center's internal communications efforts. I write and edit web content, science stories, fact sheets, and other communications materials; coordinate media/interview request for our researchers; develop communications campaigns for research products and outputs; and manage our Intranet site and content. I didn't start in communications when I first joined the agency, but I was able to forge a career path that interested me and leveraged my creative background and skills. I stepped down from my collateral duty as the Special Emphasis Program Manager for the LGBT Program in Cincinnati a while back, but I’m very proud of that work and thankful I got to be involved.

What is your highest level of education? What was your major?

I have a bachelor of science degree in homeland security and counterterrorism.

What inspired you to fight for equal rights for the members of the LGBT community?

I cannot ever remember thinking that people in the LGBT community should be viewed any differently than anyone else. I have friends and family who are LGBT and they’ve just always been a regular part of my life like anyone else. I guess it never occurred to me that supporting LGBT rights was something I had to decide on - it was something very natural for me and I know it’s the right thing to do. When the opportunity arose to be involved in the Special Emphasis/Diversity Program, I eagerly joined, and I’m glad that I’ve been able to have a hand in making a difference for our LGBT federal employees.

What message would you like to send other members of the LGBT community who are considering college or a career in environmental protection?

Go for it! The government is continuing to progress in the right direction and can only do so with a diverse and supportive staff working on those issues. In many cases, the government workplace is better suited for protecting individuals' rights than some of the private sector. EPA is on the leading edge of LGBT policies in federal agencies and I think we will remain there. People at the EPA are really committed to their work, and it shows!