Virginia Allan discusses her early work with the National Federation of
Business and Professional Women in pushing for equality for women, their
development of a talent bank to refute charges of a lack of qualified
women, and leadership in fighting discrimination. In part of the
interview, Charles Clapp joins the conversation to talk about the
selection and qualities of Virginia Allan as chairman of the Task Force
on Women's Rights and Responsibilities and the selection of Task Force
members. Both agree Catherine East played the key role as staff person,
providing information for the Task Force. They discussed the tone of the
meetings and the final report, "A Matter of Simple Justice," and the
need to be moderate to a point and politically astute to secure
acceptance from higher White House staff. They also discussed the
broader impact of the Task Force deliberations and recommendations at
the state level and how state commissions on the status of women
contributed new ideas to the federal level, and how these ideas
percolated up towards the International Year of the Woman. In a
concluding segment, Virginia Allan discusses her work as Deputy
Assistant Secretary of State to establish contacts with non-governmental
organizations on foreign policy issues and to coordinate the U.S.
observances of the International Year of the Woman. She also briefly
discusses her role in the establishment of the women's study center at
George Washington University.