Wachovia Honored for Supporting Employment of People with Disabilities
By Evelyn Mitchell Corporate Communications Wachovia Corporation Wachovia and Beth Butler of Human Resources Compliance in Birmingham, Ala., have been honored with a national award for commitment to employing people with disabilities. The Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation presented its inaugural Leadership Award April 25 at a breakfast in Washington, D.C. Attending were members of Congress as well as leaders of corporations and 80 vocational rehabilitation agencies nationwide. “We appreciate Wachovia’s proactive outreach in hiring qualified individuals with disabilities and improving services to customers with disabilities,” said Kathleen West-Evans, head of Business Relations for the council. “Beth Butler’s commitment to fostering independence through employment for individuals with disabilities is unsurpassed at the local, state and national level. We appreciate her incredible dedication as a corporate professional and as a person with a disability.” The council aims to "maintain and enhance a strong, effective and efficient national program of public vocational rehabilitation services to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve employment, economic self-sufficiency, independence and inclusion and integration into the community." Butler manages charges of employment discrimination for all lines of business at Wachovia. She brings her own perspective as an attorney, wife, mother and a person with a disability to her role. She is an advocate of disability awareness, both locally and nationally. Legally blind since birth, Butler uses large-print software and special magnification technology to assist in performing her job. Butler accepted the award on behalf of Wachovia, along with Vince Randazzo, head of Wachovia’s government relations department, and Dan McNatt, her immediate manager. “Wachovia is committed to being an inclusive company where employees and customers are treated fairly and with respect regardless of differences,” said Randazzo. “I can’t think of anyone who embodies our diversity values statement more than Beth. Her commitment is inspiring and has resulted in both employees and customers choosing to work with Wachovia.” Butler has served as chairman of the council’s advisory committee in Birmingham for four years. In 2003 she was appointed by Alabama Governor Bob Riley to serve on the Governor’s Committee for Employment of People with Disabilities. In April of 2004 she was elected southeastern regional representative on the U.S. Business Leadership Network, where she holds the office of secretary.
“This award demonstrates Wachovia’s continued commitment to creating a workplace where inclusion is embedded in the corporate culture,” said Butler. “I’m proud to work for a company that believes in recognizing, understanding, and respecting differences among all people and excited about our continued partnership with the Vocational Rehabilitation community.”
