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What Does the Commission for Women Do?

Current Projects Reports and Publications Historical Activities
On March 5, 2013, the Board of Supervisors proclaimed March to be Women's History Month, and honored Fairfax County women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) professions. The proclamation recipient was Dr. Joy R. Hughes, Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer at George Mason University. 2013 Women's History Month proclamation presented to Dr. Joy R. Hughes Current Projects
Researches Affordable Housing Options for Victims of Domestic Violence In January, 2013, the Commission for Women completed and distributed to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors its white paper of recommendations to improve access to safe, affordable housing by survivors of domestic violence in Fairfax County. The report is the outcome of over two years of work by the Commission's Domestic Violence and Affordable Housing Committee, consisting of Commissioners Cathy Baum of Hunter Mill District, Lee Helfrich of Mason District, Emily McCoy of Lee District and Kari Warren of Mount Vernon District. Read the Domestic Violence and Affordable Housing White Paper. On October 1, 2012, the Commission for Women convened a dialogue of interested policy makers and community members to develop and prioritize recommendations in response to the increasing need for emergency and long-term housing for victims of domestic violence, which helped to inform the white paper. Participates on the Fairfax County Domestic Violence Prevention Policy Coordinating Council	Peg Hacskaylo, Executive Director of the District Alliance for Safe Housing speaking at the Commission for Women's Dialogue
Coordinates the Verizon Wireless HopeLine Project. HopeLine from Verizon accepts wireless phones and accessories in any condition from any carrier for reuse and recycling. The phones are then refurbished or recycled in an environmentally sound way. Refurbished phones – complete with 3,000 minutes of wireless service – are provided to local domestic violence organizations or local government and law enforcement agencies for use with their domestic violence clients. The Commission for Women collects no-longer-used cell phones and accessories at various locations around the county. In return for the collection, Verizon Wireless will provide a cash donation to Artemis House, the county’s shelter for victims of domestic violence. In both 2009 and 2010, Verizon Wireless donated $7,500 to Artemis House. Please help the Commission for Women continue this important project by donating your used cell phones and accessories. Contact Michelle Mueller for more information about the project or where to donate.	Commission for Women cell phone recycling results in $7,500 donation from the Verizon Wireless HopeLine Project for Artemis House
Celebrates Women’s History Month (March) In 2013, the Board of Supervisors designated March as Women's History Month in honor of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) professions. In 2012, the Commission sponsored a Women's History Month essay contest for public high school seniors on their "Personal Sheroes." The Board of Supervisors' Women's History Month Proclamation was received by the first place winner, Briana Neuberger of Chantilly High School.   Supports the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial	2012 Women's History Month Essay Contest Winners with Commission for Women members
Reports and Publications
In January 2013, the Commission for Women produced a white paper of recommendations regarding the housing needs of domestic violence survivors for consideration by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Read the Domestic Violence and Affordable Housing White Paper. The Commission also releases a report every two years detailing the work of the Commission for that time period. Read the 2011/2012 Biennial Report The Commission conducts research on issues related to women and girls and promotes research findings and policy recommendations to the county’s Board of Supervisors through oral testimony and published reports. The following are a sample of the reports that the Commission has released since its inception in 1971: Rape Law Reform: A Report on the Public Hearing (March 1976) Quality and Equality: A Study of the Fairfax County Public School System Battered Wives: Report of the Fairfax County Commission for Women (April 1977) The Courts and Sexual Assault: Court Observer Program (March 1982) Separation and Divorce Information Spanish version Report on Women and Diversity in Fairfax County Forum (April 2000) Spanish Resource Guide for Women Summer Tech Resource Guide for Girls Women Business Owner’s Directory	The Global Children’s Foundation presents a check to the Artemis House, the county’s domestic violence shelter
Historical Activities Early in the Commission's history, the Commission helped establish: The Human Rights Commission (now affiliated with the Office of Human Rights and Equity Programs) The Women's Shelter (now Artemis House) The Women's Re-entry Center (a career development center for women re-entering the workforce) The Victim/Witness Program (now the Victim Services Section of the Police Department) The Commission is also a leader in creating many Fairfax County employment policies favorable to women and families. Related reports include: Job Sharing Policies and Practices for Fairfax County Employees; Managing Work and Family: Bottom Line Issues for Fairfax County Employees (January 1994) Gender Distribution on Fairfax County Boards, Authorities, and Commissions; Breaking Barriers: Women's Achievement in Fairfax County Government (a report by the Glass Ceiling Task Force, July 1997)