Re: State of Mississippi Commission on the Status of Women

Reception and public forum, which was held on

Wednesday, 27 February 2002.

The reception commenced with a welcome from Commission Chair Onetta Starling Whitley. Lt. Governor Amy Tuck introduced the Commission appointees and discussed the Commission's significance and potential impact on the state. Former Lt. Governor Evelyn Gandy addressed the group, and emphasized her desire to see more women in elected offices.

Speaking next was Delores Crockett, Atlanta-based regional administrator of the U.S. Department of Labor's Women's Bureau, who said that she was very optimistic about the Commission's impact. Crockett was followed by Commissioner Edna Khayat Boone, who provided a historical perspective of the Commission's establishment. On behalf of the Commission, Boone expressed gratitude to those present who had been instrumental in getting the Commission established.

Commissioner Bettye Ward Fletcher opened the forum portion of the reception by inviting guests to step forward and present their concerns to the Commission. After numerous women addressed the Commission, Fletcher assured those present that Commission members will consider and discuss all issues presented during the forum.

Fletcher announced that additional forums will be held in other areas of the state: in Columbus, on April 6; and in Gulfport, on April 13. Two hearings--one in Greenville and one in McComb--are in the process of being finalized and will be announced at a later date. Commission Vice Chair Patricia Waddell-Riddick concluded the reception by expressing her gratitude to all who attended.

The nonpartisan Commission on the Status of Women was established during the 2001 regular legislative session by House Bill 797, which was signed by Governor Ronnie Musgrove, and to become effective July 1, 2001. In accordance with the act's criterion that Commission appointees be "of recognized ability and achievement," demonstrate a "record of efforts to improve the status of women," and "representative of the ethnic, geographic, socioeconomic, and cultural diversity of the population of this state," Governor Musgrove, Lieutenant Governor Tuck, House Speaker Tim Ford, and Attorney General Mike Moore appointed thirteen women to the Commission.

The Governor's four appointees are Jill C. Childress, Summit; Frances Fredericks, Gulfport; Carla A. Garrett, Jackson; and Yevonne Stapp Prewitt, West Point. Lt. Governor Tuck's three appointees include Julie G. Ferguson, Brandon; Bettye Ward Fletcher, Jackson; and Gayle Parker, Gulfport.

Appointees of House Speaker Tim Ford are Norma S. Bourdeaux, Meridian; Nancy N. Horton, Jackson; and Patricia Waddell-Riddick, also from Jackson. Attorney General Mike Moore's appointees include Edna Khayat Boone, Ocean Springs; Mary W. Leary, Jackson; and Onetta Starling Whitley, Jackson.

Serving as officers for the Commission are Whitley, chair; Waddell-Riddick, vice chair; Leary, secretary; and Ferguson, treasurer.

The Commission's vision statement expresses the Commission's goal to improve "the overall quality of life of women, specifically in the areas of education, health, economics, political participation, and race relations." The Commission is empowered to conduct research on issues affecting women in Mississippi; to advise and consult with the executive and legislative branches on policies affecting women; to assess programs and practices in all state agencies as they affect women; to hold hearings, meetings, conferences, and workshops; and to apply for and accept funds, grants, gifts, and services from public and private sources.

The Mississippi Commission on the Status of Women holds open meetings in the Woolfolk Building in Jackson at 1:30 P.M. on the first Thursday of each month. The Commission encourages those who share their concerns about women's status to contact them at: State of Mississippi Commission on the Status of Women, P. O. Box 13372, Jackson, MS 39236-3372. Additional information is available from Kathy Fortenberry, Boards and Commissions Coordinator with the Office of the Governor, at (601) 359-3158.