Text Box: We are thrilled to kick this New Year off with our First Edition of the PCSW News!   I have been fortunate to do the work that I care and am passionate about and once again I am blessed. It is a privilege and honor for me to join the wonderfully dynamic team of the PCSW.  I have long admired the leadership and dedication of those working so fluidly to enhance and improve the status of women in the state.  This is a very exciting time for us as we build on the already strong foundation left by Leslie Gabel-Brett.  The PCSW will move into 2007 with new opportunities and challenges and we couldn’t be more excited!   We look forward to hearing from you.  Drop us a line anytime, we can be reached at pcsw@cga.ct.gov  Watch your mailbox for the next edition of the PCSW News in April.   Learn more about Teresa. Text Box: A Message from Our Executive Director Text Box: February 2007

Text Box: Legislative Highlights Text Box: The PCSW provides information, research and analysis to elected official and the public regarding issues affecting the status of women in Connecticut.  The legislative session convened on January 3, 2007 and already we’ve been tracking, monitoring and testifying on bills that impact women and girls.  The PCSW convenes the Connecticut Women’s Health Campaign and the Young Women’s Leadership Program.  These two programs have additional legislative priorities that complement those of the PCSW.   View PCSW 2007 Legislative Priorities. View YWLP 2007 Legislative Priorities. View CWHC Universal Access Position Paper. View our latest testimony.   Text Box: To stop receiving this newsletter but remain in our database for other communication, click here. To remove yourself from our database entirely, click here. Got this from a friend? To be added to our mailing list, click here.  

Text Box: Teresa Younger and Attorney General Richard Blumenthal wear red on Making Women Visible Day

Text Box: The state legislature’s Permanent Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW), in partnership with the Girl Scouts, the YWCA of the Hartford Region, Aspira, Southern CT State University and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy presented the 13th annual Making Women Visible Day on January 24, 2007.  The theme, Girls and Leadership was celebrated by girls from all over the state.  Girl Scouts traded in their green for red today by wearing red sashes that said, “This is what a leader looks like”.  Read the complete story.                     “Women in Action” panelists Jeannette Archer-Simons, Connecticut Trails Girl Scouts Council; Jill Spinetti, Governor’s Prevention Partnership; Teresa C. Younger, PCSW; Deborah Ullman, YWCA of the Hartford Region; Cheryl Norton, Southern Connecticut State University; Margaret Conable, New England Carpenters Local 24; Commissioner Linda Schwartz, Department of Veterans Affairs; Beatriz Rozie, YWCA of the Hartford Region; and 2/c Christine Torres, U.S. Coast Guard Academy.   View more pictures from the day.

Text Box: 13th Annual Making Women Visible Day—January 24, 2007 Text Box: You Can... Text Box: 2/c Christine Torres poses with a Girl Scout on Making Women Visible Day

Text Box: 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. They are to inform leaders about the nature and scope of discrimination, to serve as a liaison between government and private interest groups concerned with services for women, to promote consideration of women for governmental positions, and to work with state agencies to access programs and practices as they affect women.

Text Box: Permanent Commission on the Status of Women 18-20 Trinity Street • Hartford, CT 06106 Phone: 860-240-8300 • Fax: 860-240-8314 pcsw@cga.ct.gov • www.cga.ct.gov/pcsw

Text Box: Meet our new Director   Learn about Making Women Visible Day   Read our Legislative Highlights   View results from our Teen Poll   Learn about our Young Women’s Leadership Program

Text Box: PCSW News—February 2007 Text Box:   Text Box:   Text Box: PCSW Releases Teen Poll Text Box: PCSW released the results of a poll of teen girls and boys on Making Women Visible Day. The PCSW commissioned the Center for Survey Research and Analysis (CSRA) at the University of Connecticut to conduct a telephone survey of teens, both girls and boys, ages 14 through 17, in Connecticut to gather perceptions on issues and challenges that young women face in their everyday lives.  The poll examined the everyday challenges and issues, hopes for the future, and career interests and goals of teens in Connecticut and to note differences in perception between teen girls and boys.   Key findings include the following: ■ 95% of teens are confident they will finish high school and get a job.  Career interests are varied among the polling sample.  ■ The vast majority (91%) of teens say that men and women are equally qualified to be president. ■ Almost 100% believe in equal pay for equal work for men and women. ■ Over half (53%) of girls say going to a safer school would make their lives better.   View the Executive Summary.

Text Box: Introducing the Young Women’s Leadership Program Text Box: The Young Women’s Leadership Program was established in 2006 as a project of the PCSW.  It is lead by a group of young women representing a wide variety of career fields and areas of expertise.  The program sponsors a yearly essay contest for high school students, a reproductive Justice Networking event, promotes legislative advocacy, speaker’s bureau and e-newsletters.  Its mission is to inspire and empower young women in high schools, vocational schools, colleges and beyond to emerge as leaders.   The Young Women’s Leadership Program made its official debut on Making Women Visible Day with an essay contest for high school freshman. The YWLP asked 9th graders, “What would it be like to have a female President of the United States?” and “Why is it important to have female leaders?”  Winners were announced and awards presented at Making Women Visible Day.   Two winners and 25 runners up were chosen as this year’s top honorees.   Read the complete story. Read published essays from our contest winners and runners up. View YWLP’s informational brochure.   Text Box: Teen Poll result highlights were on display at the Legislative Office Building through January 30, 2007

Text Box: Panelists Onyx Anderson and Jillian Spies react to the Teen Poll results on Making Women Visible Day

Text Box: YWLP Essay Contest place winner Caroline Kitchener receives her first place award from Representative Hetherington

Text Box: Second place essay contest winner Jason Feinman reads his essay on Making Women Visible Day