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PCSW: Still the State's Leading Force for Women
A Message from the Executive Director
Dear Supporters and Friends:
When the going gets tough, women get even tougher. So now that the dust has settled, I want to bring you up to date on where things stand. Essentially, the PCSW was affected in two major ways: extremely deep budget cuts, and a change to wording – but not the focus – of our mandate. Yes, we took it on the chin but please make no mistake: we are still the State’s leading force for women’s equality, and we are very much here for the women of Connecticut and their families.
Because our budget went from $1.1 million to $452, 407, we’ve had to cut back on our greatest resource -- our staff. Our staff are a reflection of the women in this state -- working women, with household and family responsibilities, mothers, daughters, grandmothers and sisters. At the end of the day, we downsized by 4.5 staff. How did these layoffs affect our work? Limited staffing and limited funds mean that we will not be able to cover as much ground, or as often. We won’t be able to host multiple public hearings this year, and we’ll have to begin charging $300 for the sexual harassment awareness training we used to provide free of charge to State agencies. It means we won’t be “in the room” for as many of the coalition meetings that inform critical conversations.
The second area of change was in the language to our mandate. Fortunately, the focus of our work did not change with the wording. We are still responsible for focusing our efforts on our three “quality of life” desired results, which are:
· All Connecticut women are economically self-sufficient;
· All Connecticut women have optimal health and wellness throughout the lifespan; and
· All Connecticut women are free from sex discrimination in all aspect of their lives.
Here I quote the slightly revised mandate, which says we’ll achieve these efforts by: Making recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor for new or enhanced policies, programs and services that will foster progress in achieving the desired results; Reviewing and commenting on any proposed state legislation or recommendations that may affect women of the state and provide copies of any such comments to members of the General Assembly; Advising the General Assembly and Governor concerning the coordination and administration of state programs that affect women of the state; Gathering and maintaining current information regarding women of the state that can be used to better understand the status, condition and contributions of such women; Maintaining a liaison between the women of the state and government agencies, including the General Assembly; Conducting educational and outreach activities intended to raise awareness of critical issues for women of the state; Promoting the consideration of qualified women for all levels of leadership positions; Informing leaders of business, education, state and local governments and the communications media of the nature and scope of the problems faced by women of the state, with a view to enlisting such persons’ support in working toward solving such problems; Receiving and referring complaints of sex discrimination to the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities; Holding fact-finding hearings; Recommending policies to federal agencies and political subdivisions of the State relative to the women of the state; and Establishing task forces as needed.
Just as women are doing all over the state, the PCSW has tightened its belt—really, really tight -- and we’ve accepted the challenges of finding creative approaches to moving forward.
Please know how sincerely my staff and I, along with our commissioners, appreciate all the support over this past trying year. While it’s true we’ll have to find new ways to provide the same level of service with fewer staff and less money, we remain resolute. As we work to make sure our State government feels the presence of 51 percent of the population – the women we represent – and listens to them, we’ll need you more than ever. So please continue to be our ally; be present, be visible and be vocal.
Please join us for Women’s Day at the Capitol on Tuesday, Feb. 9. And please do not hesitate to call me with concerns and suggestions about how the PCSW can continue to be your partner.
Teresa C. Younger
What's Happening!
2009 Legislative Report
YWLP
Confections and Conversations
Talent
Bank "Meet & Greet" to Promote Women in Leadership
PCSW
October 2009 Newsletter
PCSW
News August-September 2009
YWLP
Newsletter Sept 2009
The 2009 Women's Directory of Organizations is now available! Click here to view and/or download PDF.
For Pay Equity Day materials, click here
In the News
Yale
Daily News Column Lauds PCSW
Teresa
Younger's op-ed in the Hartford Business Journal: "The Strange New
Equality"
Women's Equality Day
PCSW
Urges Ratification of CEDAW
Women
Business Owners Vital and Growing
Official Statement - PCSW and CWEALF on
U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Ricci
v. DeStefano
PCSW Events
YWLP's Third Essay Contest for 12th Graders
General Events
Dec. 2: YWLP Networking Event “Confections and Conversations” on Dec. 2 at the CT NOW/NARAL office at 56 Arbor St., Hartford. Join us for cupcakes, community and collaborations.
Jan. 7: Talent Bank Networking Session. Whether you are interested in sitting on a State board or commission, or are already in our Talent Bank, please join us from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Legislative Office Building to hear what’s new.
Feb. 9: Women’s Day at the Capitol. It’s the same idea, but with a new name. Formerly “Making Women Visible Day,” Women’s Day at the Capitol is an educational exchange on women in leadership. We still want you to wear red! Mark your calendars now and plan to bring a friend. Details to come soon.
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Would you like a Pay Equity button? Get yours now!
To order, contact Michelle Noehren, Legislative Liaison by
clicking here.
About Us
The Permanent Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW) was established by the State Legislature in 1973. Seventeen appointed volunteer Commissioners join a staff and volunteers to work to eliminate sex discrimination in Connecticut. The PCSW informs leaders about the nature and scope of discrimination, serve as a liaison between government and private interest groups concerned with services for women, promotes consideration of women for governmental positions, and works with state agencies to access programs and practices as they affect women.
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Permanent Commission on the
Status
of Women 18-20 Trinity Street Hartford, CT 06106 |
