About the Commission for Women
Upon completion of a 1974 study on the status of women, the Alexandria City Council established the Commission for Women in order to eliminate gender discrimination and to encourage equal opportunity for women in all aspects of their lives. Today, the Commission's members continue to provide advice and consultation to City Council on issues concerning women.
Commission Members
- Mary Catherine Gibbs, Chair
- Liz Johnson, 1st Vice Chair
- Kathleen Sander, 2nd Vice Chair
- Susan Lowell Butler
- Deborah Connor
- Diane Crawford-Batt
- Joan Dodaro
- Patty Donmoyer
- Tina Games-Evans
- Tarina Keene
- Susan B. Kellom
- Laura Mandala
- Patricia Morris
- Eileen Rivera
- Susan Ross-O'Brien
- Jenny Wade
For more information to join an Alexandria Board or Commissions, contact the Alexandria Citizen Assistance Office at 703-838-4691. To contact the Commission for Women, e-mail the Commission Chair or call 703-746-5030.
Commission for Women Meetings
The Commission meets the second Tuesday of every month at 7:15 p.m. in Room 2000 at City Hall.
Subcommittees include:
- Community Outreach -- Staffing tables with information about the services of the OOW and the Commission at Market Square Farmer's Market.
- HIV/AIDS -- Serving on the HIV/AIDS Commission to represent the Commission for Women and the women of Alexandria
- Human Rights -- Serving on the Human Rights Commission to represent the Commission for Women and the women of Alexandria.
- Legislation -- Promoting legislation that serves the best interests of the women of Alexandria and the Commonwealth.
- Needs Assessment -- Evaluating the economic and health status of women in Alexandria
- Shelter -- Working with the Domestic Violence Program to ensure that the shelter is able to meet the needs of all women and children who require services
- Walk to Fight Breast Cancer-- Support and representation on the Walk Coordinating and Development Committees
- Women and Girls' Wellness -- Working with local organizations to celebrate Women and Girls' Wellness Month in April.
- Women's History Tour -- The Friends of the Commission offer self-guided walking tours on women's history in Alexandria, or can provide guided tours for groups. For more information about these tours, contact Susan Butler at 703-370-3334.
- Youth Policy -- Serving on the Youth Policy Commission to represent the Commission for Women.
Commission for Women Projects
The Commission sponsors a variety of projects to serve the needs of Alexandria's women. Each October, the Commission is a coordinating sponsor for the Walk to Fight Breast Cancer, which raises money for vital and potentially life-saving mammograms for uninsured and underinsured women living in the city. Every spring, the Commission hosts a Salute to Women Banquet, in which we honor women who have made significant contributions to the progress of women's issues in the city.
The Commission is also currently undertaking a Needs Assessment of the women of Alexandria. The first phase is a study of the economic status of women in the city. We are studying census data and will be conducting focus groups and public hearings to evaluate the economic conditions and needs of the city's women. The next phase of the project will be to study the wellness of women in the city. If you would like to help, please contact us!
The Commission is also committed to the education of Alexandria girls. Each year, we sponsor Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, which this year paired 70 students and mentors throughout the Washington metropolitan area. This spring, we also sponsored, for the first time, mentoring for girls at George Washington and Francis Hammond Middle Schools through the Washington, D.C. group SisterMentors.
COURT OBSERVATION PROJECT
Definition
The Court Observation Project is a volunteer-based project designed to monitor domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking cases in the judicial system.
Mission
To provide feedback to the judicial system in the handling cases of violence against women and children, and to create a more informed and involved public around the issue of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Goals
- To study the judicial process as it relates to sexual and domestic violence and stalking cases in the City of Alexandria.
- To provide the City of Alexandria with current statistics and quantifiable data regarding the criminal justice system as it relates to sexual and domestic violence and stalking.
How to Volunteer
Volunteers are asked to commit to working at least one morning each month in the Alexandria City Courthouse. Training is provided on a regular basis.
Interested individuals should contact Laura Mandala at 703.798.5452 or Laura@MandalaResearch.com
Participate in Commission Events
The Commission's meetings are open to the public and the Commission welcomes volunteers on all of its projects. To learn more, contact the Commission for Women.
Other events:
- Salute to Women Awards Banquet, held annually in March during Women's History Month, honors women who have made significant contributions to the Alexandria community. Participate by nominating a deserving woman or attend the banquet to support of the wonderful achievments of the nominees.
- Women & Girls' Wellness Month is recognized in the month of April. The Commission partners with Women's Health Virginia to promote health and wellness for women.
- Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day is held annually on the 4th Thursday in April. Volunteers are needed to serve as mentors to Alexandria youth. Mentor applications need to be completed two weeks prior to the event and returned to the Office on Women.
- Tour Old Town Alexandria and learn how Alexandria women make history! The Women's History Tour was created by the Alexandria Commission for Women. Self-guided tours are available as well as extended tours with a tour guide, provided by Commission for Women and Friends of the Alexandria Commission for Women. For more information, contact Susan Lowell Butler at (703) 370-3334.
- Participate at many on-going events at the Women's Business Center of Northern Virginia
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