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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-03-2015 - 8b 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date:February 3, 2015 Action Agenda Item No.8-b SUBJECT: Report of the Human Relations Commission DEPARTMENT:Housing, Human Rights and PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N)No Community Development ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: James E. Davis, Jr., 919-245-2488 Human Relations Commission Report PURPOSE: To provide an update on the activities of the Human Relations Commission (HRC) in response to the Commission’s request to address the issue of the equitable treatment of women. BACKGROUND: At the April 8, 2014 BOCC work session, the Board considered information regarding the Establishment of a Women’s Commission and agreed to receive a report from the HRC regarding its approach to address issues of the equitable treatment of women.This report was made to the Board on May 20, 2014, which included the HRC’splan to address the topic of gender equality during FY2014/15. The Board requested an update on the HRC’s accomplishmentsin executing its plan. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Thereis no financial impact associated with accepting the HRC’s report. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Boardacceptthe report of the HRC and provide feedback to staff regarding anynext steps. 2 Human Relations Commission Report to the Board of County Commissioners February 3, 2015 The purpose of this report is to provide an progress in addressing the topic of the equitable treatment of women. OnMay 20, 2014, the Human Relations Commission (HRC) provided the Board of Commissioners with its plans to engage in events and activities to promote the awareness of the inequitable treatment of women with the intent to address gender inequities that may be concern that such initiatives may have been abandoned with the dissolution of the Commission for Women. The HRC has made great strides towards completing its goals, as illustrated below: Goal Update Resolution to acknowledge August 26, 2014 as The HRC presented aproclamation on June 17, in Orange County.2014, signed by Commissioner Jacobs. Given the timing between the signing of the proclamation and the actual date of recognition, staff James Davis promoted the th Day (August 26)in an interview with Aaron Keck on WCHL. 2015 Human Relations Month Forum will The 2015 Forum was held on Sunday, January thth focus on the 50anniversary of the Voting 25 th Rights Act of 1965 and the 95anniversary of ad of a th the 19Amendment granting women the right focus on the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the th to vote.panelists presented information about the 19 Amendment and an array of prevailing barriers to gender equality. Forum panelists included Orange County Commissioner Renee Price, Mary Ray, Exec. Director of the Interfaith Prison Ministry for Women, and Dr. Donna 3 Bickford, Assoc. Director of Undergraduate Research at UNC-CH. Carrboro Mayor Lydia Lavelle made a special presentation. The event was moderated by Ardith Burkes, Interim Director of the Compass Center for Women and Families. Host a Community Read with a selected book The HRC opted to host the Community Read and discussion on the topic of the equitable (or during the month of March, which is Wo historically inequitable) treatment of women.History Month. The date of the Read is Monday, March 23, 2015 at the Orange County Main Library in Hillsborough. The selected Ehrenreich. The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Donna Bickford, Assoc. Director of Undergraduate Research at UNC-CH. Forge relationships with organizations that The HRC is continuing to build its relationship with the League of Women Voters of Orange and Durham County, as well the Compass Center for Women and Families. In addition to the above, the HRC continues to respond to other issues of discrimination, equal access and inequities as presented by the public, constituents and the Board of Commissioners. Since July 1, 2014, the HRC has promoted Human Rights Day and participated in a Human Rights Day event hosted by the Orange County Department on Aging. The HRC hosted its annual Fair Housing Poster Contest for elementary-aged students, as well as an Essay Contest for middle and high school students. These annual events permit the HRC to engage our youth in the initiative to promote civil rights and social justice. Looking forward, the HRC will host the thnd 25Annual Pauli Murray Human Relations Award ceremony on Sunday, February 22, and will th engage in an event or activity to promote the 25 anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). While the HRC has made several accomplishments in its quest to foster countywide parity, we acknowledge that the work is ongoing.