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2009 Women's Commission for Oakland County
The Women's Commission for Oakland County was established in December 2007, to survey the status and needs of women in our community. In January 2009, the WCOC was reauthorized for a two year period. The 2009-2010 Commission will review the accomplishments of 2008 and set priorities and goals for the coming year. All meetings are open to the public and public comment is welcomed. A 2009 meeting schedule is available at the left. Applications are now being accepted for the 2010 Women's Commission for Oakland County. Click for an Application to the Commission.
 PODCAST Commissioners Christine Long and Marcia Gershenson why the Women's Commission was formed, and its mission
RECENT EVENT: “Rising To The Challenge” Women’s Conference
The Women’s Commission for Oakland County was pleased to support a women’s conference that was presented by the U.S. Department of Labor, Women’s Bureau in collaboration with the Michigan Women’s Commission, the Early Childhood Investment Corporation and Oakland Community College. The day’s events offered information and resources directly to women, women’s organizations, businesses and others facing hardship as a result of the current economic challenges. Topics included: unemployment insurance, COBRA, green job opportunities, access to job training funds; the Making Home Affordable program; benefits for first-time homebuyers; foreclosure prevention; and tax incentives for businesses and individuals. Cheryl Fried, chairperson of the Economic Autonomy Committee who helped plan the conference said, “It was a great conference which provided valuable and actionable information and resources to help people rise above their situation.”
Women's Commission Financial Planning Seminar Well-Attended on
September 19
Women's Commission helps promote a CFP Board of Standards Free Financial Planning Clinic in Southfield on September 19th.
The Women's Commission Economic Autonomy Committee with the support of Oakland County Commissioner Eric Coleman endorsed the Financial Planning Clinic which gave consumers the opportunity to get financial questions answered by professional Certified Financial Planner Certificants. Attendees could meet one-on-one with planners as well as attend many financial workshops during the day. Women's Commissioner Laurie Renchik, CFP participated as a volunteer planner for the event. She says "the free Clinic provided hundreds of Oakland County residents with the opportunity to discuss pressing financial questions and experience firsthand how financial planning can help."
Women's Commissions Host the White House Project Michigan Director
The Women's Commission for Oakland County and the Macomb County Women's Commission hosted Shannon Garrett, Michigan director of The White House Project, on April 29, 2009. Members from both county groups worked together to coordinate the event, which was held in Varner Recital Hall on Oakland University's campus. Ms. Garrett explained the mission of The White House Project, which offers a Debate Boot Camp, Go Lead training, and Michigan Go Run, a three-day workshop for women. She spoke at length about the unique challenges women face in the political arena, and how her organization can help women recognize and use their unique skills and tools to become more politically involved
Members of the Women's Commission for Oakland County Leadership Subcommittee Teri Donaldson, Terry Margolis, and Joni Hubred-Golden, worked with Macomb County Women's Commissioners Rose Coletti and Jessica Cheshire to organize the event. Also attending were Women's Commissioners Patricia Thomas, Kristine Zrinyi, Sandy Adams, Christine Walden-Hughes, Joscelyn Andrews, Cheryl Fried and Ann Erickson-Gault from Oakland County; and Cyndy Kelly, Diane Russell and Kathleen Elliott from Macomb County.
When the Women's Commission for Oakland County was established in 2008, members agreed they would study and assess four areas of citizen concern, and report their findings. The four issues of concern were:
Safety/Violence against Women
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The mission of the Issue Committee was to study violence in the homes, schools, streets, and facilities such as nursing homes.
Since violence is a learned behavior and the cycle of violence can start in the home, the members chose the issue of Domestic Violence with the goal to promote education, envestigation, enforcement, and elimination of violence.
| Health and Wellness
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The Health and Wellness Committee (HWC) focused on mental health parity, recommending support by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners for a Resolution to support parity legislation. The HWC will continue to focus on parity as well as other health issues facing women in Oakland County. Click for the resolution.
| Leadership
 | The Leadership Committee was involved in finding ways for women to better assert their leadership abilities and to explore ways to increase the number of leadership opportunities for women in Oakland County. One of the programs promoted by the WCOC is the White House Project, a non-partisan effort to get more women involved in politics. Visit their website by clicking here. | Economic Autonomy
 | The Economic Autonomy Committee worked with the United Way to promote the use of the new 211 service. The 211 service provides assistance to help callers find information about a wide variety of problems. Need help finding help? Click on 211 to get answers. |
In December, the Women's Commission for Oakland County's 2008 Annual Report was given to the Board of Commissioner's General Government Committee. It included a report from the Chair, Finance Director, and an Issue Report from each of the committees: Safety/Violence against Women, Health and Wellness, Leadership, and Economic Autonomy. Click here to view the WCOC 2008 Annual Report. Click here to view the WCOC Bylaws.
To contact the Women's Commission for Oakland County, email Oakland County Commissioner Marcia Gershenson, at gershensonm@oakgov.com, or call 248-808-1032.
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