As such, the goals of the Commission are as follows:

• To provide a focal point for women's issues in Contra Costa County.
• To educate and advise the Board of Supervisors and the public on issues relating to the changing social and economic conditions of women in the county with particular emphasis on the economically disadvantaged.
• To offer referrals to resources for women who need assistance with issues such as sexual harassment, child support, child abuse, or domestic violence.
• To legislatively advocate on behalf of women.
• To organize and co-sponsor conferences, forums, and public hearings which address women's issues.

Strategic Plan Goals 2001

• Help women develop a collective voice to influence public policy and affect positive change in their lives.
• Identify sources of information, services, and resources to empower women in Contra Costa County.
• Strengthen the Contra Costa County Commission for Women's identity and capacity as a leadership and advocacy body with the ability to mobilize groups of women
• Develop a fundraising program to achieve the Contra Costa County Commission for Women's mission and goals.

Standing Committees

• Information Committee - Tasked with providing access to information, knowledge, skills and resources to empower women in Contra Costa County.

• Legislative Committee - Tasked to help women develop a collective voice to influence public policy and affect positive change in their lives.

• Membership Committee - Tasked to review scheduled and unscheduled membership vacancies as they occur to determine the need for replacements.  In addition, they are tasked to find and recommend the most qualified candidates for membership considering community experience and geographical distribution as well as broad representation of racial, ethnic, age, religious affiliation and sexual orientation of the community at large.

• Public Relations Committee - Tasked with strengthening the Commission's identity and capacity as a leadership and advocacy body with the ability to mobilize groups of women.

Focus Areas for Coming Year

• Outreach to Girls

• Build Coalitions and Collaborations

• Passage of the Convention for Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) locally and nationally.

• President's Luncheon to be established

Watch the activities and legislative web pages for opportunities to participate in these events and information regarding the Commission's progress.

Accomplishments

Since 1980, the Women's Commission has been active in issues that impact women in Contra Costa County.

• Active in the National Association of Commissions for Women and the Association of California Commissions for Women and attend annual state and national conferences.

• Continues to review pending legislation, service delivery needs, economic and workforce trends that affect women and current programs in order to make informed recommendations to the Board of Supervisors.

• Participates in Women in Action Lobby Day in Sacramento to formulate common strategies and links with legislators on women's issues.

• Established the Women's Hall of Fame Awards to acknowledge the achievements of women in Contra Costa County in the areas of Demonstrating Leadership, Creating Community, Working for Justice, Preserving the Environment, Improving Health Care, Innovating in Technology, and Contributing to the Arts.

• Participate with other women's organizations in Pay Equity Day and Women's Equality Day to promote women's accomplishments towards these ideals.

The Commission's History:

The Commission was initially established in 1980 as a Task Force on the Employment and Economic Status of Women by the County Board of Supervisors.  Under the supervision of the County Manpower Department and with funding provided by the Federal Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA), the Task Force was formed. CETA was replaced by the Federal Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) and the Manpower Department's name was changed to the Private Industry Council. The Task Force was established for one year with a specific work agenda to develop and analyze County employment profile, determine status of CETA services to women, develop a profile of CETA's female participants, and prepare analysis findings and recommendations for submittal to the Board of Supervisors.  The Steering  Committee was made up of seven members with staff support provided by the Manpower Department.  The categories included: the Director of County Personnel Department, Business, Youth (16-21), Labor, Women's Organization, Displaced Homemaker, and Clerical Working.  Following submittal of the report to the Board of Supervisors on the findings and recommendations, the Board of Supervisors extended the life of the Task Force.

The Task Force was formally designated as an Advisory Committee in December 1982 as the Advisory Committee on the Employment and Economic Status of Women.  In 1982, the Board of Supervisors agreed to co-sponsor the Committee with the Private Industry Council.  The Task Force received half of the funds from the County General Funds and half from the Private Industry Council with Job Training Partnership Act Funds for a total budget of $17,730.

The Committee had always operated with a sunset date; however, in May 1989, the Board of Supervisors continued the life of the Committee without a sunset date.  Terms of the Advisory Committee were restructured so that the terms of office for the members expired on a staggered basis yearly on February.

In fiscal year 1992, due to changes in federal legislation, the Private Industry Council advised they were no longer able to continue co-sponsorship of the Committee which meant the budget was reduced in half.  The Board of Supervisors agreed to continue its co-sponsorship of the Committee for a total of $7,965.  The Board of Supervisors also agreed to formally change the Committee's name from Advisory Committee on the Employment and Economic Status of Women to the Contra Costa County Women's Advisory Committee.  During 1992-93 the budget was reduced to $5,575 and was reduced further to until 1995 it was $5,436.

In 1993, the Committee applied for and received non-profit exempt status 503(c)(4).  Also in the 1993, the Committee's membership was increased to 25 members.  The Committee was transferred to the County Health Services Department 1994. In 1999, the Board of Supervisors agreed to formally change the Committee's name to the Contra Costa Commission for Women.

Historical Accomplishments:

• Established this web site for providing a communication tool and resources to women in Contra Costa County (2000).

• Successfully lobbied the Board of Supervisors to pass a Zero Tolerance for Domestic Violence Ordinance for Contra Costa County.  The County has budgeted over $2 million for the initial implementation of the ordinance (2000).

• Commission awarded a Certificate of Appreciation to the Honorable Donna Powers and the Richmond City Council for their leadership role in creating the Rosie the Riveter Memorial recognizing the contributions of women during WWII (2000).

• Women's Equality Day event established as an ongoing event to recognize women's accomplishments toward equality (1999).

• Women's Hall of Fame Awards are established as an annual event acknowledging the achievements of women in Contra Costa County (1997).  

• Sponsored a series of five public hearings on the concerns and problems facing women and their families in Contract Costa County (1995).

• Participated in Women in Action Lobby Day (WIALD) in Sacramento.  This conference provides a forum to formulate common strategies and links with legislators on women's issues.  The Commission has participated every year since 1995.

• Successfully advocated for a change in policy at the Antioch City Police Department to allow the issuance of Emergency Protective Orders for victims of domestic violence, helped facilitate an educational strategy training for Department in cooperation with STAND! Against Domestic Violence (formerly Battered Women's Alternatives) (1994).

• Organized and coordinated public hearings on the "Feminization of Poverty" and "Women, Family and the Workplace" (1993).

• Developed a Sexual Harassment Poster and assisted in the drafting of legislation introduced by Assemblywoman Jackie Speier and signed by Governor Wilson (1993).

• Advocated for a pay equity study for County employees.

• Participated and hosted the Northern State Commission Hearing on Adolescent Mental Health (1993)

• Established an Affirmative Action Ad Hoc Committee and promoted the establishment of an Affirmative Action Coalition made up of various community organization representatives assisted the County in the development of an Affirmative Action Plan.  Provided input to the County Affirmative Action Officer on County affirmative action issues and suggested changes to the Quarterly Affirmative Action report.  Recommended  and subsequently approved by the Board of Supervisors, that  the County Affirmative Action report reflect the County workforce by department, income level and sex, reviewed other public/private affirmative action plans for methodology used in pursuing their plan.

• Developed and distributed an informational brochure on the Women's Advisory Committee (1990)

• Co-sponsored a conference on women and minority business with the Contra Costa and Solano Counties' Private Industry Councils, the Business Resource Center, and the Solano Business Assistance Center (1989).

• Prepared and obtained endorsements for a Contra Costa Women's Agenda.  This agenda was presented and adopted by the Board of Supervisors (1989).

• Co-hosted a reception for the Region IX Commissions on the Status of Women Conference (1989).

• Organized and sponsored a Contra Costa County Women's Agenda Conference/Luncheon.  Approximately 50 women's organizations were invited to send representatives and to share with the Committee their organization's goals in order to compile a Contra Costa County Women's Agenda.  Sixty-seven representatives from 32 organizations attended the conference.

• Endorsed the Concord AIDS Anti-Discrimination Ordnance.

• Assisted the California Commission on the Status of Women with the planning of its annual conference and provided speakers for workshops held at the conference.

• Participated in the California Commission on the Status of Women's "Women's History Month" held each March, by selecting the honoree for recognition.

• Participated in the County Working Women's Awareness Program held each May.

• Co-sponsor and participant in the East Bay Single Parent/Displaced Homemaker Conference held each October.

• Participated in the County Self-Esteem Ad Hoc Work Group.

• Participated in the Contra Costa and Alameda Counties Reproductive Choice Coalition, endorsed the goals and objectives of the Coalition.

• Participated on the Greater Avenues for Independence (GAIN) Advisory Committee.  The Women's Advisory Committee made detailed recommendations regarding several components of the GAIN Plan which were ultimately incorporated into the County GAIN Plan.  These recommendations were based on the Committee's collective experience with the Nontraditional Jobs Project and with Project Self Sufficiency.

• Participated on the Video Display Terminal (VDT) Coalition, endorsed the goals and objectives of the Coalition, recommended that Contra Costa County consider establishment of a VDT ordinance.

• Reviewed contract requirements and provided input on the County's Minority and Women Business Enterprise Program.

  For more information about the Commission, please contact Ms. Linda Douglas at 925-370-5055.