Commission on Status of Women Sponsors "Women on Board" Leadership Event

Commission on Status of Women Sponsors "Women on Board" Leadership Event

Date of Record: February 24, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 24, 2006
 
For More Information:
Jillian Kinzie, City of Bloomington's Commission on the Status of Women, 856-1430
Craig Brenner, Special Projects Coordinator, Community and Family Resources Department, City of Bloomington, 349-3471
Maria K. Heslin, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349-3569
  

 
Bloomington, IN -- The City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women and several other organizations are sponsoring a women's leadership development event on Thursday, March 23, 2006, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Monroe County Public Library. "Women On Board" aims to encourage women to get engaged in civic life and learn about opportunities for leadership on boards, commissions and organizations.

The event will feature a keynote address by the Honorable Viola Taliaferro, workshops and a panel presentation followed by a reception. The recipients of the Commission on the Status of Women's "Emerging Leader Awards" will also be presented at this event. The recipients and their categories are Julie Thomas, Community; Debra Vance, Professional; and Stacy Jones, Student.

Workshops include:

• "Finding Your Passion and Your Voice" by Carol McCord
• "Cultivating Collaboration" by Denise Lessow
• "First Steps Toward Making a Difference in Leadership" by Beverly Calender-Anderson
• "Political Involvement" by Regina Moore and Cathi Crabtree

There is no fee for this opportunity to learn how to get involved and make a difference in our community.

In Bloomington, there has been a noticeable decline in both the percentage of women running for city elected positions and the percentage winning since the 1991 elections. This trend must be turned around if women are to achieve parity in representation and, consequently impact the policies at the city level.

Women comprise approximately 51 percent of the population; yet, when the 108th Congress convened, 86 percent of its members were male. This places the United States 60th worldwide in terms of the number of women serving in the national legislature. Large gender disparities are also evident at state and local levels: 86 percent of state governors, 88 percent of big city mayors and 78 percent of state legislators are men, according to the Brown Policy Report. As Eleanor Roosevelt put it, "Only women in power would consider the needs of women without power."

Event sponsors include the City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women, Girls Incorporated of Monroe County, the Indiana University Asian Culture Center, Indiana University Office for Women's Affairs, Ivy Tech Community College, Leadership Bloomington-Monroe County Alumni Association, City of Bloomington Office of the City Clerk, Bloomington Hospital, Middle Way House, League of Women Voters of Bloomington/Monroe County, and City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department.

For information contact Craig Brenner at [brennerc@bloomington.in.gov|mailto:brennerc@bloomington.in.gov].  
    

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