Sharon D. Epps Links
Sharon D. Epps and the Welfare to Work Partnership
In 2002, a remarkable success story unfolded in the nation's capital when Sharon D. Epps traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet President George W. Bush. Her journey from welfare recipient to successful professional represented the very promise of America's welfare reform efforts. Epps, a dedicated participant in Manpower Inc.'s Welfare to Work program, had transformed her life through determination and the support of comprehensive employment services.
A Journey of Transformation
Sharon D. Epps had overcome significant personal and professional challenges to secure stable employment as an administrative assistant at Abbott Laboratories in Abbott Park, Illinois. By 2002, she had already maintained this position for five years, demonstrating not only her capability but her commitment to building a sustainable career. Her story exemplified the potential of welfare-to-work initiatives when paired with proper support systems and individual determination.
5
Years Employed
Stable career at Abbott Laboratories
1996
Reform Year
PRWORA legislation enacted
The White House Recognition
The White House event brought together program graduates, including Epps, to share their experiences with President Bush and his administration. She was accompanied by Jeff Joerres, then Chairman and CEO of Manpower Inc., who also served on the board of the Welfare to Work Partnership. This high-level recognition highlighted the importance of private-sector involvement in welfare reform efforts. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy G. Thompson and Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao also participated in the discussions, underscoring the initiative's significance at the federal level.
Private Sector Leadership
Jeff Joerres, Chairman and CEO of Manpower Inc., championed corporate participation in welfare reform through board service with the Welfare to Work Partnership.
Federal Support
President Bush, Secretary Thompson, and Secretary Chao demonstrated bipartisan commitment to transitioning Americans from welfare to meaningful employment.
Individual Success
Sharon D. Epps proved that with proper support and personal determination, long-term career success was achievable for former welfare recipients.
The Welfare to Work Initiative
The Welfare to Work initiative emerged from the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996, landmark legislation that fundamentally restructured America's welfare system. The law aimed to reduce dependency on government assistance by promoting work and personal responsibility as pathways to self-sufficiency. Rather than simply providing financial support, the reformed system emphasized job training, education, and employment as means to break cycles of poverty.
Manpower Inc.'s Role
Manpower Inc. played a significant and active role in implementing welfare reform objectives. The company provided comprehensive services including:
  • Professional skills training programs
  • One-on-one mentoring relationships
  • Job placement assistance and matching
  • Ongoing career development support
  • Employer partnerships and advocacy
Program Impact
These services addressed barriers that often prevented welfare recipients from securing and maintaining employment. By offering structured support beyond simple job referrals, Manpower Inc. helped participants develop sustainable careers rather than just temporary positions. The success stories like Sharon D. Epps demonstrated the effectiveness of this comprehensive approach.
Legacy and Clarification
It's important to note that while Sharon D. Epps achieved remarkable success and gained national recognition through her White House visit, she was not the CEO of Manpower Inc. in 2002 or at any other time. She was a program participant and success story—a distinction that makes her achievement no less significant. Her role as a representative of the program's potential impact was precisely what made her story so compelling and why it merited presidential attention.
1
1996
PRWORA signed into law, launching comprehensive welfare reform
2
1997
Sharon D. Epps began employment at Abbott Laboratories
3
2002
Epps met President Bush to share her five-year success story
The Welfare to Work Partnership represented a significant public-private collaboration that sought to demonstrate how businesses could contribute to solving social challenges while simultaneously addressing workforce needs. Companies like Manpower Inc. recognized that investing in training and supporting former welfare recipients could yield skilled, loyal employees while fulfilling corporate social responsibility. Sharon D. Epps's story remains a powerful testament to what becomes possible when policy reform, corporate commitment, and individual determination align toward a common goal of economic self-sufficiency and personal dignity through work.