HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009 - Womens Commission - Annual Report1
Women’s Commission 2009 Annual Report
For the year 2009, the Commission members were: Annette Zacharias,
Barbara Goff, Becky Goldbach, Kathleen Sullivan-Bailey, Kristen Sergi,
Kristine L. Callahan, Marjorie McTaggart, and Sue Baccari
In 2009, we were able to accomplish the following:
> We established our area of focus as economic well-being and health
for women.
> The Commission recognized our student writer winners of the Women
in Your Own History Essay Contest (grades 7-9) at a Poudre School
District Board Meeting along with their teachers on April 14, 2009 (as
well as at the City Council Meeting on April 21, 2009). Private schools
and home school groups were invited to participate as well.
This year we received over 160 essays, and the winners for the 7th
grade were Corley Hicks writing about “Grandma Patty”, James Kim
writing about “Belinda Howerton”, and Rose Van Dyne writing about
her mother. For the 9th grade, the winners were Griffin Hay writing
about “Piano Playing Phyllis”, Nicole Mac Aulif writing about “Billie
Jean King”, and Carolina Restrepo writing about “Orin O’Brien”.
> The Commission presented the International Women’s Day
proclamation on March 3, 2009 at the City Council meeting
> We showcased the winner of the Marcile N. Wood Award that
recognizes the efforts of a person who works to improve the quality
of life for women in Fort Collins. Our recipient for 2009 was Kori
Wilford for her work in the community. Kori is the Chair of the
Journey Conference in Fort Collins and also focuses on educating
women of all ages to take responsibility for their reproductive health.
Kori was recognized for her contributions at a City Council Meeting on
July 7, 2009 and our commission presented her with a crystal statue,
a donation to a project of her choice and a special dinner that
included her family, her nominator, and some of the Commission
members.
A radio program was taped with Kori Wilford and Kim Newcomer and
aired on KRFC. on September 24.
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> David Roy continued as the Women’s Commission Council Liaison and
we continue to enjoy the pleasure of retaining Suzanne Jarboe-
Simpson as our city staff liaison.
> The Women’s Commission lent their support to the Human Relations
Commission in presenting a community dialogue program dealing
with elder abuse in May.
> One of our members spoke about the Women’s Commission at the
March Journey Conference in the city. More than 300 girls/young
women attended the one-day conference which focused on topics
identified by former conference attendees. Conference topics included
physical and emotional health, nutrition, human sexuality, financial
fitness, exercise and personal safety
> This year the Commission joined the NACW, the National Association
of Commissions for Women.
> Our Commission had several discussions regarding a video “Look us
in the Eye” dealing with the problems of ageing in women. The
consensus of the group was to target next year to review other
videos for possible showing, to make a decision on a topic for
presentation, to find speakers to provide follow up information and to
try and coordinate this with the Senior Advisory Board and possibly
the Human Relations Commission. The goal is to have a community
dialogue about how a particular topic impacts senior women and
ways for senior women to have their voices heard.
> In our response to the City Council, our Budgeting for Outcomes
Funding Areas and Statements included:
Economic Health: Fort Collins has a healthy economy reflecting
the values of our unique community in a changing world.
Environmental Health: Fort Collins creates, maintains and
promotes a healthy and sustainable environment with an
adequate, high quality water supply
Neighborhood Livability: Fort Collins improves the livability,
choices and affordability of our neighborhoods.
Safer Community: Fort Collins is a safe place to live, work, learn
and play
> The Commission celebrated the holiday season with light
refreshments and a look at the year past as well as the up-coming
year.
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We go into the new year with a renewed commitment to focusing on
ways to increase the visibility of women’s issues in Fort Collins. To
this end the Commission will hold a one-day retreat in February to
take a concentrated look at where we have been and where we need
to be going in 2010.
The Women’s Commission was not able to meet all of our goals from the
2009 Work Plan, but feel we are moving in the right direction to make a
difference in our community.