Profiles of Women of EPA: Justina Fugh
Justina Fugh, Director
Ethics Office
Washington, DC
Where were you born?
San Francisco, CA.
What brought you to EPA?
Both of my parents emigrated as children with their respective families from China to the United States in the 1950s, just a few years after the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act that prohibited Chinese immigrants from becoming American citizens. They and their families became American citizens under private bills of Congress. Both my parents quickly mastered English and the American culture, and both graduated from college. My father was a lawyer and the first Chinese American to become a general in the US Army, retiring as The Judge Advocate General. He instilled in me a keen commitment to public service while my mother inspired me to do my very best, always. Given that my parents and financial aid had provided for my college education at a private school, I committed to pay my own way through law school. I went to school at night and worked during the day for an environmental law firm. Of course, my parents helped by allowing me to live at home while attending school. I was impressed by the caliber of EPA attorneys I interacted with while I was at the firm. Upon graduation, I committed to join them.
What type of work do you do at EPA?
I oversee EPA's day-to-day ethics program and advise agency personnel on all legal issues pertaining to government ethics, professional responsibility and the Hatch Act (which limits partisan political activity of federal employees). Because we work for the federal government, all EPA employees must abide by the Standards of Ethical Conduct and conflict of interest statutes. We have to be sure that the American public is able to trust that we carry out our jobs without any financial conflict, or inappropriate favoritism, or partisan political influence. My job is to help EPA employees understand their ethics rules and responsibilities.
What is your highest level of education? What was your major?
I majored in art history at Vassar and have a JD from George Washington University.
What message would you like to send other women who are considering college or a career in environmental protection?
Don't define yourself by your gender or any perceived limitations. You are as powerful as your imagination and heart.