City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women Celebrates 40 Years

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 14, 2014

For more information, please contact:

Cathi Crabtree, Chair, City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women, 812.272.1600

Sue Owens, Program Specialist, City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department, 349.3468

City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women Celebrates 40 Years

Bloomington, Ind. - The City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women is holding a reception to celebrate 40 years since its inception. The reception will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 6:30 p.m. in the atrium of City Hall, 401 N. Morton St. Desserts and light refreshments will be served. After the reception, the Commission will present a report to the City Council summarizing its accomplishments over the years. The presentation will take place at 7:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.

The Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women was founded by the City of Bloomington in 1974. In December 1973, the ordinance to create the commission was introduced by then City Council President, Charlotte Zietlow. The ordinance was passed on Feb. 7, 1974. The first commission meeting was held on June 25, 1974, with 12 commissioners in attendance. The commission was established to work in the areas of fact finding, education and suggesting solutions to problems affecting the quality of life for women and men in Bloomington. In 1986, Mayor Tomi Allison (1983-1995) declared March as Women's History Month.

Today, the Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women identifies needs, resources and gaps in resources for women and monitors federal, state and local policies and their impact on women. In addition, the Commission issues reports and makes recommendations regarding the status of women in Bloomington and Monroe County. The Commission also hosts an annual Women's History Month Luncheon honoring the Woman of the Year and recognizing Lifetime Achievement. At its annual Leadership Development Conference, the Commission honors an Emerging Leader. To further their interest in leadership, the Commission offers scholarships to help women defray the costs of educational programs designed to enhance leadership skills and ability.

For more information, please contact Program Specialist Sue Owens at 349.3468 or owenss@bloomington.in.gov.

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