| About Us |
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| Organization |
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In 1964, Governor Mark Hatfield established the Governor’s Commission on the Status of Women to advise him of the needs and concerns of Oregon women. In 1983, Governor Victor Atiyeh gave the commission independent agency status, with a directive to continue its mission to strive for the implementation of programs and policies benefiting women. The Oregon Commission for Women was legislatively established in 1983 to work for women's equality. The commission does this by advocating for women in the community, providing information on women to the governor and state legislature, serving as a link for women to state agencies, and providing services to individual women in Oregon. The commission meets at various locations around the state to gather information about women. It also publishes a handbook called Oregon Women and the Law, as well as holding an annual fundraiser to honor Oregon's outstanding women. The commission's women's educational program provides seminars statewide on women's health, wellness and financial literacy. The commission produces a quarterly newsletter. The commission also administers Communities in Partnership to Stop Violence Against Women and Children (CPSVAWC), an AmeriCorps program focusing on creating communities where violence against women and children is not tolerated or ignored. AmeriCorps members serve for one year.
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| Mission Statement |
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Performance Measures
The mission of the Oregon Commission for Women is to work for the implementation and establishment of economic, social, legal, and political equality for women and to maintain a continuing assessment of the issues and needs confronting women in Oregon.
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| Principles & Values Statement |
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We believe:
- in the importance of cultural, ethnic, gender, age and ability diversity in the workplace, educational system, and other venues and protection against discrimination.
- that all women deserve full and equal treatment under the law.
- that women deserve equal employment opportunities and treatment.
- in the importance of access to information and resources for women needing housing, legal help, food, education, health care, counseling, and business startup capital.
- that women need improved access to educational and training opportunities.
- that it is important to celebrate and provide education about women’s achievements in all areas.
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| Goals |
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- To advocate for cultural, ethnic, gender, age and ability diversity in the workplace, educational system, and other venues, and seek meaningful protection against discrimination.
- To advocate for full and equal treatment of women under the law.
- To advocate for equal opportunity and treatment for women in employment.
- To ensure that women in need of housing, legal help, food, education, health care, counseling, business startup capital, etc. have access to information and resources.
- To advocate for equality of educational and training opportunities for women in Oregon.
- To celebrate with and educate Oregonians about women’s achievements in all areas.
- To increase the viability and visibility of the Commission for Women.
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| History |
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About the Commission
The OCFW Story
In 1964 Governor Mark Hatfield established the Governor’s Commission on the Status of Women to advise him of the needs and concerns of women in Oregon. In 1983, Governor Victor Atiyeh gave the Commission independent agency status with a directive to continue its mission and the Legislature created the Oregon Commission for Women to work for the implementation and establishment of economic, legal, political, and social equality of women, and to continually assess the needs and issues of women and girls. The agency is overseen by an 11-member board of directors who are actively involved in policy setting and attending to the growth of the Commission.
We achieve our mission of advocating for women’s equality by providing information, education, and advocacy to the Governor, the Legislature, community leaders, and members of the public on issues important to the lives of Oregon’s women. We produce a bi-annual report on the status of women in Oregon and we listen to the needs of women through our public Focus Meetings.
The Commission also sends out a quarterly newsletter; performs research; produces educational materials such as the “Oregon Women and the Law” legal handbook; provides information and referrals for citizens with questions or problems; and acts upon citizens’ complaints when appropriate. The Commission serves in advisory and informational capacities to public officials and non-profit organizations in Oregon and other states in order to benefit women and girls throughout the country.
The Commission often receives invitations to speak at conferences, workshops, businesses, organizations, and educational institutions on matters related to health, legal rights, domestic violence and the economic status of women.
Since 2001 the Commission has administered the Communities in Partnership to Stop Violence Against Women and Children (CPSVAWC) AmeriCorps Program. This statewide program provides educators, advocates, attorneys, and paralegals to work toward a strengthened community response to end violence against women and children.
We believe that an important part of advocating for women is to give them the tools to be their own best advocates. We do this through educational forums on issues including: women’s leadership, women’s health, women and economics, and women and the law. We celebrate the accomplishments of women in Oregon through our annual Women of Achievement Awards Dinner. We also provide a place for information dissemination, connection, collaboration and partnership among women serving agencies throughout Oregon.
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