April 24, 2013
COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
5:00 PM
City Hall, Room 408
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Members Present Staff Present
President Julie Soo Executive Director Emily M. Murase, PhD
Vice President Nancy Kirshner- Media & Community Affairs Director Aimee Allison
Rodriguez Outreach and Development Manager Stacey Hoang
Commissioner Alicia Gamez Policy Director Ann Lehman
Commissioner Kay Gulbengay Grants Administrator Carol Sacco
Commissioner Andrea Shorter Commission Secretary Cynthia Vasquez
Public Policy Fellow Elizabeth Laferriere
Department Fellow Lina Malova
Department Fellow Nancy Rock
Department Fellow Johanna Saenz
Department Volunteer Jane Bernard-Powers
Excused: Commissioner Becca Prowda
I. Welcome
President Julie Soo called the meeting to order at 5:10 pm. Commissioners reviewed the agenda.
Action: Approve agenda.
m/s/c (Kirshner-Rodriguez/Gamez/Unanimous)
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Action: Approve minutes from February 27, 2013.
m/s/c (Gamez/Gulbengay/Unanimous)
Action: Approve minutes from April 8, 2013.
m/s/c (Kirshner-Rodriguez/Shorter/Unanimous)
Vice President Kirshner-Rodriguez thanked the Commission and Department for the collaboration for the joint meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women and the Small Business Commission. Vice President Kirshner-Rodriguez stated that she hopes to have more collaboration with other City Commissions.
No public comment.
III. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Dr. Emily Murase directed Commissioners to her written report. Dr. Murase introduced the new Executive Director for Donaldina Cameron House, May Leong. Ms. Leong has tremendous experience, knowledge, integrity and enthusiasm will be a great match for the work, staff, friends and supporters of Cameron House and previously sat on the Seattle Commission on the Status of Women. President Julie Soo welcomed Ms. Leong and look forward to continuing our partnership with the organization.
Dr. Murase announced that the next meeting of the Justice & Courage Oversight Panel will be on June 5th.
Dr. Murase reported that on February 28, Policy Director Ann Lehman was a panelist at the Alliance for Girls' S.H.E Conference: Championing Safe, Healthy and Empowered Girls. She presented on the Girls Report and updated statistics.
Dr. Murase recognized the Department staff, Commissioners and Friends of the Commission for a wonderful and successful Women’s History Month event on March 19. The Commission and Department on the Status of Women celebrated Women’s History Month with the members of the Board of Supervisors at the Board meeting where Supervisors recognized the contributions of 11 women from the community who demonstrate exceptional vision, dedication and leadership. The theme for the event was “Women Inspiring Innovation Through Imagination: Celebrating Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.” Following the Board presentations, the Friends of the Commission hosted a reception at the Public Utilities Commission Headquarters where the Mayor’s honoree was acknowledged and District Attorney Gascón presented his award to his honoree. Next year, we will be celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Women’s History Month.
Dr. Murase reported on her trip to Japan as a guest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from March 8 - 16. The delegation of 10 individuals recruited from across the country spent 3 days in Fukushima, the location of the 2011 nuclear accident from the massive Tohoku earthquake and subsequent tsunami, followed by meetings in Tokyo with business leaders, the Foreign Minister Kishida and Prime Minister Abe. Dr. Murase gave a presentation on the Gender Equality Principles to the senior leadership of the Keizai Doyukai, an association of CEOs and Presidents, who were very interested in this approach.
Dr. Murase asked Commissioners to save the date for the 43rd Annual Conference of the National Association of Commissions for Women (NACW) scheduled for July 24-27, 2013 at the Marriott Hotel in San Jose, California. NACW’s national membership is comprised of state, county, and city women’s commissions representing the interests of millions of women and girls. With a conference theme of “Bridge to Equality,” this event will attract women and supporters from across California as well as the country seeking a renewed spirit and tools to make a difference for women and families in their communities.
Dr. Murase reported that the recruitment period for the Violence Against Women Policy Analyst has closed and the evaluation of candidates has commenced. She hopes to be able to announce the successful candidate in the next few weeks.
In early May, we will be bidding adieu to super-fellows Lina Malova, Johanna Saenz, and Nancy Rock. Dr. Bernard-Powers concluded her formal volunteer work with the Department in early March. We thank all of these individuals for their tremendous contributions to the Department.
1. Report on the New York Women’s Agenda Launch
Policy Director Ann Lehman reported that she has been working intensively with the New York Women’s Agenda, a group of women corporate executives interested in adopting a version of the Gender Equality Principles in New York. On March 14, the New York Women’s Agenda launched the “New York Women’s Business Principles” at an invitation-only high profile event hosted by the Bloomberg Foundation at the Foundation Headquarters in Manhattan. Ms. Lehman served as a panelist for the launch, together with senior executives from Deloitte, IBM, and McKinsey & Company. Calvert CEO Barbara Krumsiek was also one of the featured speakers. Ms. Lehman hopes that companies present will take the Gender Equality Principles quiz and share the outcomes with other companies.
Dr. Murase stated that we should be very proud of the national reach of our innovative programs, particularly Ms. Lehman’s critical role in providing technical assistance to the New York Women’s Agenda.
2. Report on the April 15 Gender Equality Challenge Launch
The Challenge invites companies with over 1,000 employees and an office in San Francisco to submit a model practice to be shared widely.
Noni Allwood, West Coast Director for the Center for Talent Innovation and a member of the Gender Equality Council, explained that the April 15th launch was a tremendous success. The City Hall press conference featured Theresa Briggs of Deloitte and Cecily Joseph of Symantec who gave strong statements in support of gender equitable workplaces.
Commissioner Gulbengay recognized President of the Board of Supervisors David Chiu and Supervisor Malia Cohen for attending the launch and for their continued support.
Commissioner Shorter recognized the great speakers and productivity of the launch.
President Soo recognized staff for coordinating such a successful event.
Ms. Allwood thanked the Commission for recognizing her work with the GEP.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
All matters listed hereunder constitute a Consent Agenda and are considered to be routine by the Commission on the Status of Women. They will be acted upon by a single roll call vote of the Commission. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the Commission so requests, in which event the matter shall be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered as a separate item. Members of the public may speak on each item listed on the Consent Agenda.
Action: To approve the Consent Agenda.
m/s/c (Gamez/Gulbengay/Unanimous)
A. Resolution Recognizing Noni Allwood
B. Resolution Recognizing Tomoko Hagiwara
C. Resolution Recognizing Judge Patrick J. Mahoney
D. Resolution Recognizing Patty Shimek
E. Resolution Recognizing the 25th Anniversary of the Asian Women’s Shelter
F. Resolution Recognizing the 40th Anniversary of the Arab Cultural Center
Tomoko Hagiwara thanked the Commission for the recognition and presented the Commission with CDs of her music. Ms. Hagiwara’s daughter, a 2002 U.S. Olympian Figure skater, expressed how much of an inspiration her mother has been and how she hopes to be as accomplished as her mother. Ms. Hagiwara’s friend and student thanked Ms. Hagiwara for being an amazing teacher. Jodi Levitz, Co-Chair of the Chamber Music Program at the Conservatory thanked Ms. Hagiwara for her leadership, patience, and dedication to her music.
Judge Mahoney (ret.) thanked the Commission for the recognition and recognized Dr. Murase and his colleagues. Dr. Murase thanked the judge for his efforts to raise awareness about the unmet needs of young women.
Dr. Murase introduced Patty Shimek who was recommended by Kathy Baxter to be recognized for Child Abuse Awareness Month. Ms. Shimek expressed her deep appreciation for the recognition by the Commission. Ms. Shimek explained that she launched Partners in Prevention in 2010 to increase awareness of the devastating effects that abuse and neglect have on children. Partners in Prevention added a heart to the traditional blue ribbon symbol for child abuse awareness, using this new logo to create easy ways for individuals and organizations to demonstrate their support in the battle against child abuse. Ms. Shimek explained the importance of nurturing and protecting our children to help them grow to be healthy adults. Kathy Baxter expressed how thankful she was for the important work Ms. Shimek has been doing.
Dr. Murase announced that Loubna Qutami, Executive Director of the Arab Cultural and Community Center, has been accepted into a PhD program for the fall, and will be transitioning out of the organization. Sanaa Bengholam, a domestic violence advocate, thanked the Commission for recognizing the 40th Anniversary of the Arab Cultural and Community Center. Dr. Murase explained that under the leadership of the Commission the first grant to the Center was from our Department, which has allowed the agency to leverage funding from other funding resources. President Soo recognized the late Commissioner Carolene Marks for working actively to address the needs of Arab American women.
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. Report Back from the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women Meetings
1. Department on the Status of Women Staff Presentation
Aimee Allison, Media & Community Affairs Director, reported that our department coordinated a delegation of 25 participants at the 57th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York, representing a wide range of academics, advocates, and service providers. The overarching theme for this session held in March was ending violence against women and girls. The Department organized 3 workshops that featured innovative San Francisco work on behalf of women and girls.
• The first panel, “Partnership Models to End Domestic Violence,” featured Ms. Allison and Department Fellow Jane Bernard-Powers who provided details of the Family Violence Council. Our panelists partnered with Women NorthCarolina who shared their innovative women’s rights internship that brings community and university resources together to train the next generation of women leaders.
• The second panel, “Local Solutions to End Human Trafficking,” featured Department Fellow Johanna Saenz who discussed models in her native Columbia to fight trafficking. Department Fellow Nancy Rock reviewed the landmark 2010 California Transparency in Supply Chain Act, the first law in the nation to require corporations with over $100 million in global receipts to publicly disclose measures to ensure that supply chains are free of human trafficking.
• The third panel, “Microfinance and Gender Equality in the Workplace,” featured Ms. Lehman, Department Fellow Lina Malova, do-it-yourself electronics guru Limor Fried, founder of the Manhattan-based electronics boutique AdaFruit. This well-attended panel attracted many younger women who view Limor as a hero. The good relationship the Department has developed with Ms. Fried can help us reach the engineering and manufacturing sector in the future.
Department Fellow Lina Malova explained that it was her first time visiting New York and was overwhelmed by all of the women present and the wealth of information everyone contributed. Ms. Malova thanked the Department, Commission, and Friends for the opportunity to engage in the UN process.
Department Fellow Johanna Saenz expressed how thankful she was for the opportunity to work with the Department to show the great work that is being done in San Francisco. Ms. Saenz was fascinated to see how well received and how interested participants were in the topic of human trafficking.
Department Fellow Nancy Rock explained how welcoming everyone was and what an impact the work that we are doing on human trafficking has had, not just locally but internationally.
Dr. Murase recognized Marily Fowler, Dr. Jean Shinoda Bolen, and Julianne Cartwright-Traylor for helping the Department play a role at the UN Commission on the Status of Women and for their continued leadership.
2. San Francisco Bay Area Delegates Reports
A. Dr. Jean Shinoda Bolen, author of Moving Toward the Millionth Circle presented the Commission with her book and thanked the Commission for their leadership and continued support for a 5th World Conference for Women. Dr. Shinoda Bolen expressed how great it was to have San Francisco present at the UN and how we need to continue to work together to ensure that a world conference take place in the near future.
B. Kathryn Johnson, San Francisco State University
Kathryn Johnson explained that this was her second trip to the UN as a representative of San Francisco State University and Democratic Women in Action. She reflected that the experience was just phenomenal. The event attracted 6,000 women and over 193 flags were flying over the UN. Ms. Johnson explained how San Francisco is a global city that has connections to the world.
C. Ana Maria Sanchez, Women’s Intercultural Network
Ana Maria Sanchez with the Women’s Intercultural Network explained that as a survivor of domestic violence, an author on domestic violence and healer and counselor, the opportunity to attend the UN sessions was an incredible opportunity. Ms. Sanchez hopes to have a panel on self-care at the 2014 Session focusing on holistic solutions and hear diretly from survivors.
D. Roberta Guise, Guise Marketing & PR
Roberta Guise expressed how wonderful it was to see the commitment of the various participants to women’s issues. The 3 key messages that Ms. Guise took from the UN were:
• Think globally and act locally
• Enact change incrementally
• Acceptance is silence.
Ms. Guise expressed how we need to fight and not support human trafficking. She stated her view that we must protect, prevent, provide services and prosecute those who prey on other human beings.
E. Maryann Ellison, Law Offices of Linda M. Scaparotti
Ms. Ellison explained that this was her first trip to the UN and she was overwhelmed by the wealth of information that was shared. As a mother of 4 daughters, Ms. Ellison has been active in various communities, striving to educate herself on real world problems. Ms. Ellison explained that she hopes to continue to be involved and to see change at a larger level.
Commissioners expressed their gratitude for the dedication, heart, and hard work that it took to represent San Francisco at the UN and the innovative methods used to do so.
Ms. Allison reported that we will continue to work with the White House Council on Women and Girls on issues raised at the UN.
Dr. Murase recognized Ms. Allison for her leadership and dedicated work on the UN trip.
VI. Reports
Vice-President Kirshner-Rodriguez reported that she attended the Health Benefit Exchange on April 23. Vice-President Kirshner-Rodriguez hopes to hold a joint meeting with the Health Commission at some future date.
Commissioner Gamez reported that she attended the Vagina Monologues supported by our Friends and the Commission.
President Soo reported that she continues to sit on the St. Francis Memorial Hospital Board. President Soo helped coordinate a presentation from Nancy Goldberg with SFCAHT and Monica Anderson, a human trafficking survivor, where they discussed identifying victims of human trafficking and how to get trained on how to serve survivors.
VII. PUBLIC COMMENT
Robin Brasso with the Democratic Women in Action, asked the commission to support the following bills:
AB154 – Early Access to Abortion Bill
Ms. Brasso reported that even in California abortion clinics are not readily accessible. Aspiration abortions are safe and women need to have access when they need it. Advance Practice Clinicians are trained to do pap smears and mammograms and are qualified to perform aspiration abortions in the first trimester. The bill is co-sponsored by NARAL, Black Women for Justice, Planned Parenthood, and the California Women's Health Alliance. Ms. Brasso stated that interested supporters should contact WomensHealthAllianceCA@gmail.com to get more info and to get involved.
SB138 – Confidentiality of Medical Information Bill
This bill keeps abortion services confidential if a girl or woman is under a parents' health insurance. Under the new Affordable Care Act, parents can keep their children on their health insurance up to the age of 26. Ms. Brasso stated that women should be allowed to keep this information private even from her parents if she so wishes.
AB1153 – Tom Ammiano's bill would provide parenting information for teenagers who are pregnant and provides child care for those who already have children.
VIII. ADJOURNMENT
Adjourn the meeting in memory of Activist Joan Baez Sr.
m/s/c (Kirshner-Rodriguez/Gulbengay/Unanimous)
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