Apr. 8, 2019
The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Sales at 7:17 p.m.
Attendance
Commissioners in attendance: Emily McCoy, Lee; Nancy Hopkins, Dranesville; Charlie Brown, Braddock; Vice Chair Lisa Sales, Mount Vernon; Kayla Rothstein, Student Representative; Michelle Russell, Springfield; Mattie Palmore, Minority At-Large; Sondra Seba Hemenway, At-Large
Commissioners absent: Vice Chair Barbara Lippa, Sully; Jane Materna, Mason; Helen Cole, Hunter Mill; Elise Helgesen Aguilar, Providence
Staff in attendance: Toni Zollicoffer, Michelle Mueller
Visitors: Cathy Ledec, member of the Tree Commission
Visitor
Cathy Ledec, member of the Tree Commission, introduced herself.
March 2019 Minutes
ACTION: Ms. McCoy provided two corrections to the minutes: National Woman’s Party rather than Women’s, and the TPSM dedication in August 2020 rather than groundbreaking. Ms. Brown moved to approve the March 2019 minutes as amended. Ms. Rothstein seconded the seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Nominating Committee
Ms. Hopkins and Ms. Brown reported that they contacted all of the Commissioners regarding the open position of Chair, but had no slate.
ACTION: Ms. Hopkins nominated Vice Chair Sales for Chair. Vice Chair Sales accepted the nomination. Vice Chair Sales transferred the chair responsibilities to Ms. McCoy for the duration of the election. Ms. Palmore moved to close the nominations for Chair. Ms. Hemenway seconded the motion, which passed unanimously. Ms. Sales nominated Ms. Hopkins for second Vice Chair. Ms. Hopkins accepted the nomination.
Ms. McCoy called for a vote on the position of Chair. All Commissioners voted to elect Ms.Sales. Ms. McCoy called for a vote on the position of Vice Chair. All Commissioners voted to
elect Ms. Hopkins. Ms. Sales resumed chairing the meeting.
NACW Conference
Commissioners voted at the March meeting to sponsor two people to attend the NACW Conference in Chicago. Ms. Russell and Chair Sales expressed interest in attending the
conference. Chair Sales agreed to ask Ms. Materna whether she would like to attend.
Young Women’s Event
Ms. Rothstein reported that the event planning committee had met three times. They are reaching out to panelists. The event will take place on September 21 at the Government
Center. She will request funding from the Commission for custom-printed bags, lunches, and perhaps pens and lanyards. The committee will also seek donations.
Policy Committee
Chair Sales reported that Legal Services of Northern Virginia can conduct a regional roundtable on Protective Order firearms surrender. Other women’s commissions are interested in
participating.
Sister Commissions
Ms. Mueller reported that she had met with the new staff person for the City of Fairfax Commission, Lesley Abashian. She plans to work more closely with DSVS in her role as
Human Services Coordinator.
Chair Sales reported that the Alexandria Commission is interested in collaborating. Their immediate past chair is a member of the Executive Committee. They have liaisons to some
other city commissions, and a Friends organization. They will be able to brief the Commission on their report on the status of women and girls at the Commission meeting on June 10. They
suggested a joint meeting two times a year or quarterly. Chair Sales said that she would reach out to the Loudoun Commission regarding their plans to host the NACW conference in 2020.
Turning Point Suffragist Memorial
Ms. McCoy reported that TPSM will have a Silent Sentinel awards fundraiser at the Army-Navy Club on June 6. She also reported on national and state efforts to celebrate the centennial of
women’s suffrage. The Women’s Vote Centennial Initiative is compiling a list of activities around the country. Ms. McCoy was appointed to the Virginia Task Force to Celebrate the
Women’s Vote Centennial. Virginia has budgeted $450,000 which will fund museum and travelling exhibits, teacher kits and events. Localities may be able to get funds from the state.
TPSM dedication is scheduled for August 26, 2020.
DVPPCC
Chair Sales and Ms. Zollicoffer reported that the DVPPCC is shifting its structure to be more nimble and responsive. DV Network will be represented; workgroups will be task-focused
rather than standing committees; and a formal leadership group has been created. The Social Impact Committee will be the only standing committee, but it will follow the direction of the
DVPPCC. Subject matter experts will be recruited for projects.
ACTION: Ms. McCoy moved to recommend to the DVPPCC that a survivor seat be added to its governing board, with due diligence to ensuring that there is no undue pressure to serve in that capacity and that the survivor is ready to serve. Ms. Palmore and Ms. Russell seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Domestic and Sexual Violence Services
Ms. Zollicoffer reported that new hotline staff had been hired and DSVS plans to add text and chat service. The Artemis House ribbon cutting event was successful and included several
Commissioners. DSVS is close to hiring a DVAC Coordinator. Commission Liaison interviews will take place on Friday.
Ms. Zollicoffer will meet with One Fairfax coordinator Karla Bruce on April 23 and will invite her to meet with the Commission for Women.
New legislation regarding ex parte protective orders requires a summary of allegations if there is no affidavit. The Firearms Workgroup hopes to reallocate the underutilized Compliance
Officer to help Protective Order respondents follow the law regarding firearm surrender. The project will be piloted with one judge. The workgroup also plans a roundtable with surrounding
jurisdictions on firearm surrender. They also plan to create a firearm surrender fact sheet for judges.
Community ReportsMs. Palmore reported on the Project Esther pampering day with Delta Sigma Theta on April 13.
She is also planning a Time to Thrive workshop on October 26.
Ms. Rothstein reported that she attended the Teen Job Fair, where she met staff from a shelter
in Alexandria that houses teens. Her chapter of Girl Up held a successful tampon fair. Ms.
McCoy spoke on suffrage for the West Springfield High School History Honors Society.
June 2019 Meeting Date and Location
Ms. Mueller explained that the Government Center will be unavailable on June 10. The Commission will meet at the Hyland/South County Government Center.
Meeting for Liaison InterviewsCommissioners discussed holding a closed meeting to interview Liaison candidates. If a quorum is not present, a vote cannot be taken, but the interview committee can make the selection.
ACTION: Ms. McCoy moved to hold a closed meeting on April 22 at 7:15 pm to interview
Liaison candidates. Chair Sales seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Request Regarding Gender and BACs
Cathy Ledec of the Tree Commission asked the Commission for Women to examine the representation of women on County Boards and Commissions. Due to the late hour,
Commissioners will continue the discussion at the May meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m.
Next Meeting
The Commission will next meet on May 13, 2019 at the Fairfax County Government Center at 7:15 p.m.
If you have any concerns, issues or thoughts that you would like to share, please send an email to Commission for Women. Your concerns and observations are important in helping the women and girls in Fairfax County.