TITLE
Recommendation to direct City Manager to report back in 90 days with a plan to create a Commission on Women and Girls in the City of Long Beach, as recommended by the Long Beach Human Relations Commission.
DISCUSSION
Women represent 50% of the City’s potential. While there are many issues specific to women and girls, every issue needs to be looked at through a woman’s lens.
In 1975, Long Beach City Council Member Renee Simon introduced the idea of a Women’s Commission and could not get a second. One male Council member remarked, “If this passes, I will move to establish a Men’s Commission.”
California cities with Women's Commissions include:
San Francisco
Berkeley
Carson
Compton
Glendale
Los Angeles
Pasadena
West Hollywood
Santa Monica
It is my duty as an elected woman to uplift women. I have spent much of my career working in predominantly male fields, and I know the impact that a specific focus on promoting the needs and concerns of women can have.
Additionally, Long Beach recently celebrated the 100th anniversary of Women’s Suffrage, with educational demonstrations by silent sentinels at major events in the city and educational programming, including more recent events surrounding the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution, which has yet to be passed.
On March 2nd, the City Council resolved to support the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment, acknowledging explicitly the continuing unequal status of women and girls in our country’s most important founding document.
The creation of a Long Beach Commission on Women and Girls will provide a space for specific education, outreach, and advocacy in our communities for the advancement of women and girls that is long overdue. This commission would create leadership roles for cis, trans, and all who identify as female, and would discuss women-specific issues, such as the wage gap and disproportionate domestic violence, among others.
For years, thanks to the advocacy of women’s rights advocate and activist member - and 2nd District resident - Zoe Nicholson, members of the Long Beach Human Relations Commission have been discussing the creation of a Women’s Commission. On Wednesday, August 4, 2021 the Human Relations Commission hosted a panel of leaders in the effort for Women’s equality including the Honorable Abbe Land, LA County Women’s Commission Commissioner Dora Jacildo, Mayor Lindsey Horvath, and Tunua Thrash-Ntuk.
This discussion concluded with the members voting unanimously to recommend that the City Council create a Long Beach Commission on Women and Girls.
This matter was reviewed by Budget Manager Grace H. Yoon on August 30, 2021.
STATEMENT OF URGENCY:
The Fiscal Impact analysis was received after the regular deadline to submit items for the September 7 Council Meeting agenda. Therefore, the fiscal impact analysis should be added via the supplemental agenda process.
FISCAL IMPACT
The recommendation requests a report within 90 days on a plan to create a Commission on Women and Girls in the City of Long Beach, as recommended by the Long Beach Human Relations Commission. This recommendation of developing a plan is anticipated to result in a moderate impact on staff hours beyond the budgeted scope of duties and a moderate impact on existing City Council priorities. It is also anticipated that implementing the actual plan to create a Commission will have staffing and other potential financial impacts that may add to future funding shortfalls. These fiscal impacts will be included and disclosed as part of the report that is brought back to City Council for City Council’s consideration and direction.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
CINDY ALLEN,
COUNCILWOMAN SECOND DISTRICT