The CSE Institute congratulates Ms. Jovida Hill on her appointment as Executive Director of the Philadelphia Commission for Women. The appointment was effective July 1, 2016. Ms. Hill has been part of Mayor Kenney’s administration since February of 2016, serving the administration in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Some of the issues she has highlighted to work on include: violence against women, pay inequity, and economic and racial disparities.
The purpose of the newly formed Commission for Women is to promote the advancement of gender equality in the areas of: education, employment, compensation, and professional development. The Commission is meant to facilitate communication between the local government, business entities, and female employees in order to combat gender inequality in the workforce. The Commission for Women will also work with Mayor Kenney and advise him on public policy issues that effect women in Philadelphia.
The development of the Philadelphia Commission for Women was spearheaded by Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds-Brown. Councilwoman Reynolds-Brown recognized the disparity between wages (women still get paid 77 cents to the dollar men are paid), and the lack of women holding board position within the Philadelphia area. In a press release announcing the formation of the Commission, Councilwoman Reynolds-Brown is quoted saying, “As an official arm of City government, the Commission for Women would provide the foundation for change including building key relationships and helping to create equitable opportunities for women at all levels of the Philadelphia workforce.”
The Commission for Women was established through an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, which voters approved during the May 2015 election. The Philadelphia Women’s Commission was initially created by Executive Order in 1981 by former Mayor Bill Green. The Commission continued during the Goode administration, but ended during the Rendell administration. With the change to the Home Rule Charter, the Commission, is now permanently in effect and will be comprised of 27 additional members who are all appointed by the Mayor and City Council members.
As a part of her new position, Ms. Hill will work alongside the Commission members to help Mayor Kenney and City Council develop initiatives to address women’s issues in Philadelphia. The Commission will meet six times a year.
Other major cities across the United States have also established Commissions for Women. These cities include, New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Denver, Atlanta, Seattle, and San Francisco.
The CSE Institute is excited about Ms. Hill’s appointment as Executive Director of the Philadelphia Commission for Women. The CSE Institute looks forward to collaborating with the Commission in the future and supporting Ms. Hill in her new role.