WJA 2023: Kendra R. Howard

Administrative Judge, U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Commission

If it hadn’t been for a few tough chemistry classes in college, Kendra Howard might be a doctor today instead of filling her current role as an EEOC administrative judge in St. Louis.

“I failed chemistry three times, so I got a degree in business,” she said.

Her mother was a non-practicing attorney, and Howard says she grew up admiring the critical thinking skills she acquired in law school. So she decided to follow her mother’s example, and went to law school at Washington University focusing on intellectual property law. Eventually she expanded into civil litigation before applying for a seat on the EEOC bench and receiving her appointment in 2010. Today, she presides over hearings on federal employee or applicant complaints of discrimination.

“I feel I am making a difference in people’s lives,” she said. “We spend more time at our jobs than most other places, so when our work environment is bad it can have a significant impact on our lives.”

Howard believes keeping an open mind was key to her success and led her to the career she loves.

“Without being open to opportunities and learning new things you just never know when something is the best choice for you,” she said.

She adds that the Golden Rule is one of her guiding principles and she strives to treat others as she wants to be treated.

“I would also say I strive to leave the world in a better place than I found it,” she said.
“And I just feel if we all do our part, no matter how small, to make something better, we can collectively make progress and move forward.”

Howard credits her colleagues and mentors for helping her reach her goals.

“It’s bigger than me and I certainly didn’t accomplish anything without a lot of help and support from countless other people,” she said. “I am trying to do my part to help and encourage other people to support others, to teach, to mentor, and to do all those things that people did to help me be successful.”