In September 1975, the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders observed International Women’s Year by creating the Advisory Commission on the Status of Women, to:
Study the needs, capabilities and concerns of women in Bergen County, and
Recommend and review programs and plans affecting the status of women, in order to promote the expansion of their rights and available opportunities. The 14
appointed Commissioners held outreach meeting throughout the county, which were attended by scores of individuals and representatives of organizations, who gave the Commission the benefit of their thoughts and concerns. Follow-up outreach campaigns were conducted in 1989 and 1993. This kind of outreach, supplemented by Commissioners’ links with groups and organizations in the county, has determined the Commission’s priorities for research, study, and publication of reports, recommendation and advocacy. The Commission’s high priority issues include health care, crimes of violence against women, affordable housing, employment rights and opportunities, child care, sexual harassment, child support collection, care of elderly parents, women in government, education, legislation affecting women and political action. The Commission has co-founded and has participated in several networking organizations such as the Bergen County Alliance for Women, the Family Support Coalition of Bergen County, the School-Aged Child Care Coalition, and the Bergen County Women’s Roundtable. Through these organizations, the Commission has kept in touch with the concerns of women and has co-sponsored programs on topics such as childcare, teenage pregnancy and affordable housing. The Commission’s annual Women’s History Month programs, highlights the contributions of individual groups of women, and its annual celebration of Women’s Equality Day, the anniversary of the suffrage amendment, serve to promote public awareness of women’s abilities and hard-won rights. In the late 1980’s, the Commission established a support group to increase public appreciation of the value of diversity in our lives and in the lives of children, and to address the challenge of communication presented by diversity. Another recent activity is a series of educational programs about Social Security geared especially for women planning retirement. Crimes of Violence Against Women
The Commission’s very first report, Crimes of Violence Against Women – R**e and Battered Women, published in 1977 was distributed throughout Bergen County and beyond. This pioneering source of material was requested by federal, state and county agencies and by universities, libraries, police training academies, civic service organizations, special interest groups and individuals all over the United States. The report’s findings were used to document need and to secure funding for three programs in Bergen County: Alternatives to Domestic Violence, the R**e Crisis Center and Shelter Our Sister, all of which provide essential services to women endangered by crimes of violence. In July of 1991, a tragic death caused by domestic violence shocked the community. An overwhelming response by women resulted in letters to the press, meetings and a protest march. To channel the fear and anger, and as a follow-up to its’ 1977 report, the Commission organized a Community Court Watch project. The project monitors the handling of domestic violence cases in court, noting whether the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act is being enforced, and how litigants are being treated. The impact of the Court Watch Project is evident in the result of this continuation effort – Court Watch II. Good government is responsive to the needs of our citizens. Community participation is vital to a responsive government. All are invited to contribute by serving on Bergen Advisory Boards. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Bergen County Commission on the Status of Women please apply by clicking on the link below. http://www.co.bergen.nj.us/FormCenter/County-Executive-Office-7/County-Board-Appointment-Application-47
