In 1961, President John F. Kennedy introduced the concept of affirmative action and reaffirmed Executive Order 9980--non-discrimination policy in the Federal government--that was signed in 1948. He also established the Commission on the Status of Women (Commission), chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt, to look into problems women encountered in employment in the Federal government. Based on recommendations of the Commission, the Federal Women's Program was established in 1963 as a vehicle to provide opportunities for recruitment, selection, training, and advancement of women in the Federal government. The primary purpose of the Federal Women's Program is to improve the status of women in the Federal government through education and counseling members and agency employees and by providing management officials with information on workforce trends. Executive Order 12067 placed responsibility for overall leadership of the Federal government's entire Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) effort under Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). EEOC is responsible for the consistency of EEO policy in Federal agencies. The passing of Executive Order 11478 in 1969 required agencies to establish and maintain affirmative EEO programs. The Order also brought the Federal Women's Program into the overall EEO Program and placed it under the stewardship of the Director of EEO.

In 1967, Executive Order 11375 added sex to other prohibited forms of discrimination such as race, color, religion, and national origin. In response to this, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) established the Federal Women's Program (FWP). In 1969, Executive Order 11478 integrated the FWP into the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Program and placed the FWP under the direction of EEO for each agency. OPM regulations implementing Public Law 92-261 require that Federal agencies designate a FWP Manager to advise the Director of EEO on matters affecting the employment and advancement of women. This law also requires that Federal agencies allocate sufficient resources for their Federal Women's Programs.

The Federal Women's Program Manager (FWPM) position was established to ensure that agencies meet the requirements of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Guidelines. The FWPM advises management of their FWP responsibilities, the status and progress of the program and the concerns of women in their organization. The FWPM is responsible for ALL women within their organization, regardless of grade level.