Oct. 15, 2018
The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Lippa at 7:20 p.m.
Attendance
Commissioners in attendance: Emily McCoy, Lee; Vice Chair Lisa Sales, Mount Vernon; Vice Chair; Barbara Lippa, Sully; Elise Helgesen Aguilar, Providence; Kayla Rothstein, Student Representative; Helen Cole, Hunter Mill; Nancy Hopkins, Dranesville; Sondra Seba Hemenway, At-Large; Charlie Brown, Braddock; Michelle Russell, Springfield
Commissioners absent: Mattie Palmore, Minority At-Large; Chair Cynthia Bhatnagar, Mason
Staff in attendance: Toni Zollicoffer, Michelle Mueller
Visitors: Shyamali Roy Hauth
Introduction of New Commissioner
Michelle Russell, the new Commissioner from Springfield District, introduced herself. She is a military wife who has lived here for two years, and is an active volunteer. Commissioners welcomed her.
Group Photo
Since two Commissioners were absent, the Commission did not take a group photo as planned. Ms. Hemenway asked Commissioners to be prepared for a photo at the November meeting.
Introduction of Visitors
No visitors attended the meeting, except the speaker.
Speaker: Shyamali Roy Hauth of VARatifyERA
Ms. Hauth explained that although the Equal Rights Amendment originated in the 1920s, it was approved by Congress in 1972. The law included a seven-year deadline for ratification by ¾ of the states, or 38 states. Although the deadline was extended to 1982, ERA failed to be ratified by enough states at the time. Support was bipartisan at first, but over time the issue became more partisan and polarized.
ERA is needed because constitutional protection is stronger than legislation. Ms. Hauth stated that women of color may benefit most from ERA because they have the greatest gender pay
gap. She stated that some people oppose ERA because they think it will promote abortion, but it is not related.
ERA has been passed by the Virginia Senate five times, but the House has not passed it. In 2018 it could have passed the House, but it died in Committee. Ms. Helgesen Aguilar stated
that while other states are working on ratification, our legislative session is earliest, so Virginia could be the 38th state to ratify.
Following ratification by the 38th state, judicial or legislative efforts would be needed to
overcome the 1982 deadline.
Ms. Hauth listed several things Commissioners could do to support ERA:
1) Sign the petition at VARatifyERA.org.
2) Help reach out to military women and veterans.
3) Contact Sen. Norment and ask for a floor vote.
4) Attend the symposium at William and Mary on November 9 or the bus tour stop at GMU on
November 11.
Vice Chair Lippa stated that if the Commission plans to take any action, it should check in with
the County Lobbyist first, though the issue is already in the Board Legislative Package.
September 2018 Minutes
ACTION: Ms. Rothstein moved to approve the September 2018 minutes. Ms. Brown seconded the motion, which was approved by all Commissioners except for Ms. Helgesen Aguilar, who
abstained.
Young Women’s Event
Ms. Rothstein reported that planning was continuing on the event.
Board of Supervisors Protective Order Resolutions
Ms. Aguilar explained that the BOS would be setting their legislative positions, so the Commission should decide whether they wanted to support the two resolutions concerning
protective orders, which Commissioners received at the September meeting.
ACTION: Ms. Aguilar moved to inform the Board of Supervisors that the Commission for Women supports the two resolutions regarding protective orders. Ms. Sales seconded the
motion, which passed unanimously.
Human Trafficking Policy Paper
Commissioners discussed the draft trafficking paper. Vice Chair Lippa suggested adding an Executive Summary of recommendations and Ms. Hopkins recommended adding a table of
contents.
Ms. Zollicoffer recommended submitting the human trafficking paper to the Board of Supervisors after the new Human Trafficking Coordinator is hired, because it would be beneficial to have the Coordinator’s support, and some time was needed to check for any possible objections to points in the paper. The paper could be released at the end of November. Commissioners also asked for the creation of talking points.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month Recap
Ms. Mueller reported that Commissioners were among those honored at the county Domestic Violence Annual Meeting, including Ms. Palmore, Vice Chair Sales, and former Executive
Director Ina Fernandez. Ms. Zollicoffer reported that Step Up 4 Kids, the new child witness to domestic violence initiative, was announced. She reminded Commissioners that they should
wear purple for Purple Out on October 18 in honor of domestic violence victims.
Turning Point Suffragist Memorial
Ms. McCoy reported that the Channel 16 videos about TPSM are now available. The content for the memorial is nearly complete. Ms. McCoy also reported that she had been appointed to
the Virginia Task Force on Celebrating the One Hundredth Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage, and they met in late September. Ms. McCoy and Ms. Mueller staffed a table at Rep. Beyer’s
Women’s Conference and
Office for Women & Domestic and Sexual Violence Services
Director Toni Zollicoffer reported that the hiring process is underway for the Domestic Violence Coordinator and Human Trafficking/Sexual Violence Coordinator. She also plans to hire a Data Analyst and dedicated hotline staff. She stated that the office is researching adding text or chat capability to the county hotline, and the research conducted by the Commission on this topic has been useful. She also reported that OFWDSVS moved to the Pennino building.
Community Reports
Ms. Sales reported on some likely proposed legislative proposals regarding sexual assault. Ms. Brown announced that she and her husband had donated many handmade wood crafts to
Bethany House for a fundraiser on November 17, 2018 from 10:00 am to 2:00 p.m. at the Bethany House office, 6601 Little River Turnpike in Alexandria.
Human Trafficking Awareness Month
Ms. Mueller suggested that the Commission request a proclamation to be presented at the Just Ask teen conference in January.
ACTION: Ms. Brown moved to submit a proclamation to the Board of Supervisors to be presented at the Just Ask teen conference. Ms. McCoy seconded the motion. All Commissioners voted yes except for Ms. Russell, who abstained.
ACTION: Ms. Hemenway voted to sponsor the Just Ask teen conference for no more than $1,000. Ms. Sales seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Women’s History Month
Ms. Mueller reported that Ms. Palmore could discuss a joint event with the NAACP Women’s Committee, which she co-chairs. Ms. Rothstein stated that she would set up a WHM
Committee meeting.
Clearinghouse on Women’s Issues Membership
Ms. Mueller distributed information about the Clearinghouse, which the Commission has joined in the past. Ms. Hopkins described the Clearinghouse, since she has been attending their meetings. Ms. Cole suggested that the Commission purchase a three-year membership at a discount, as indicated on the membership form. Ms. Mueller explained that in past years, County financial staff had informed her that the Commission could only purchase one-year memberships.
ACTION: Ms. McCoy moved that the Commission join the CWI, for $40 for one year. Ms. Hemenway seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Funding for Business Cards and Badges
ACTION: Ms. Sales moved to approve up to $400 to purchase name badges and business cards for Commissioners and staff. Ms. Hemenway seconded the motion, which passed
unanimously. Funding for coffee maker, bottled water and storage bin
ACTION: Ms. Hemenway moved to approve up to $250 for a storage bin, coffee maker and bottles of water for Commission meetings. Ms. Hopkins seconded the motion. All Commissioners voted yes except Ms. Rothstein, who abstained.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
Next Meeting
The Commission will next meet on November 19, 2018, 2018 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.