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As an office of the
Department of Health and Human Resources, it seeks to improve the legal, social,
economic, educational and political status of women by working with businesses,
government agencies and non-profit groups. The agency also provides to
government and the public with information on the status of women in the state,
and works to recognize the accomplishments of West Virginia women.
The first meeting of the commission took place on September 28, 1973
to begin organizing the Commission. The second meeting of the Commission took
place on March 29, 1974 to pen down goals.
The chief goal of the Commission
was to “see qualified women in administrative positions, professorships and
counselors for women students . . . [M]ore women need to enter professions that
are not held normally by women.”
March 29, 1976 marked the creation of the Commission, whose first director was
Charlotte Fleshman of Charleston. This group of women, working out of offices in Fleshman’s home, conducted
extensive research concerning how women of all ages, races, and economic status
can find work experience, as well as other issues of concern.
Finally, on July 9, 1977, the West Virginia Women’s Commission was created. House Bill 1378
was passed, giving birth to a new Commission that would “encourage study and
review . . . the needs of women in the state” (HB1378). This piece of
legislation detailed the composition and duties of the newly formed Commission.
The Commission was also in charge
of strengthening home life and “directing attention to critical problems
confronting women as wives, mothers, homemakers, and workers.”
Also, the Commission was to
conduct surveys to obtain conclusions about the status of state women, to
recognize the accomplishments of state women, to research and write literature
helpful to women, and to maintain a close relationship with the Human Rights
Commission.
| Why do we need a Women’s Commission? |
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The Women’s
Commission is the only state agency mandated to bring women’s concerns
to the attention of legislators and other government officials.
- Only 14% of state lawmakers currently are women.
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Most West Virginia women work in three job areas: service (child care workers, restaurant
workers, etc.); professional (teachers, nurses); and administrative
support (secretaries, clerical positions), all of which are historically
low-paid.
- The longer a woman lives, the more likely she is to live in poverty.
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In West Virginia a woman is more likely to be assaulted, injured, raped, or killed by a
husband or family member than by a stranger.
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Although women
comprise more than half the adult population of this state, they are not
represented in decision-making positions in proportion to their numbers,
or their needs.
The Women’s Commission helps women individually and as a group.
For individuals the Commission offers
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information and referral about state and private services and issues ranging from
domestic violence to job training and
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conferences,
workshops, and public meetings across the state about social, legal,
family, and work issues.
For women as a group, the Commission provides
- a legislative voice
- a vehicle to bring women of diverse backgrounds together on common issues
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