WLB 2020 Recap, Legislative Session, and Girl Power Contest! OH MY!

Thank you to all our sponsors, speakers, and guests!

News You Can Use January 31, 2020 Our 40th annual Women's Legislative Briefing (WLB) was held on Sunday, January 26, 2020 at 12:30 p.m. at The Universities at Shady Grove. The theme was "Women Voices and Votes Count."  Attendees had the opportunity to participate in a variety of breakout sessions addressing timely topics such as voter engagement, racial equity and the 2020 Census, sexual assault and domestic violence prevention, women's health, economic justice, women in the criminal justice system, human trafficking prevention, and women leaders breaking ground in their field.  The WLB included sessions for Emerging Leaders (students in grades 6-12) to participate in interactive workshops that focus on civic engagement and pathways to leadership. The briefing also  included a president's networking reception for the leaders of the co-sponsoring organizations and corporations. The WLB was co-sponsored by more than 60 women's and community organizations, with the support of major sponsors such as The Universities at Shady Grove, Capitol Hill Consulting Group, Marriott International, AARP and Kaiser Permanente. Thank you to all of our phenomenal sponsors that made this event so special! We couldn't have done it without you.  Our 2020 keynote speaker was award-winning journalist Barbara Harrison. She enlightened us with a discussion of how women's voices and votes have counted throughout history, and shared portions of a moving speech by Sojourner Truth.  Pictured: WLB 2020 Co-chair Tazeen Ahmad (left), Commission Vice President and WLB Co-Chair Donna Rojas (right), and our WLB 2020 Keynote Speaker, award-winning journalist Barbara Harrison (center).  High school student Jessica Holloway, our 2020 Emerging Leaders speaker. Not only did County Executive Elrich speak at our 40th Annual Women's Legislative Briefing, but he shared his ongoing support for the Commission's 2020 Legislative Priorities, including justice for survivors of human trafficking, protections for domestic violence victims, and economic equity for women.  Pictured: County Executive Elrich, award-winning journalist Barbara Harrison, Emerging Leaders speaker Jessica Holloway, and our dedicated Commissioners.  We honored County Councilmember Nancy Navarro with an induction into the Montgomery County Women's History Archives.  Pictured: Councilmember Navarro (left), County Executive Elrich (center), and Commission President Nicole Drew (right).  We love candid pictures and this is an exceptionally special one of several of our former Presidents. From left to right: Chandra Walker Holloway, Lorna Forde, keynote speaker Barbara Harrison, County Executive Marc Elrich, Debra Bright Harris and current President Nicole Y. Drew, Esq. CFW Programs Be on the lookout for the official announcement of our Annual Women's History Month Girl Power Contest, coming in March 2020! Be sure to save the date!  We are working on a wonderful event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage. Stay tuned! Please join us as local family law attorneys walk through the "ins" and "outs" for separation and divorce in Maryland. Topics covered include: Methods of Dispute Resolution, When and Where to File, Types of Divorce and Grounds, Financial Statements, Alimony, Property and Equitable Distribution, Role of the Attorney, and Domestic Violence/Orders of Protection. All classes are free and are from 7 pm-8:30pm. Sign up for classes here. February 4, 2020: Connie Morella Library March 3, 2020: Damascus Library April 7, 2020: Chevy Chase Library May 5, 2020: David Library June 2, 2020: Silver Spring Library 2020 Legislative Session The Maryland General Assembly convened for the start of their 2020 session on Wednesday, January 8th. Each session is 90 days. The Commission's priorities for the session include bills that fall under the following topics:  Safety and Security for Women Economic Empowerment for Women Women in Leadership Women's Health This year, the Commission is supporting numerous bills, including: HB242/SB206: Criminal Procedure - Motion to Vacate Judgment - Human Trafficking (True Freedom Act of 2020) This bill attempts to expand Maryland's "vacating convictions" law to allow survivors of human trafficking to remove certain crimes (other than prostitution) from their criminal records. This would grant dignity to survivors, as well as allow them to access employment and stable housing. HB123/SB217: Labor and Employment – Salary History Information Disclosures Black women in Maryland are paid 69 cents to the dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men. Latina women are paid just 46 cents to the dollar. Employers often rely on salary history to determine the salary of new employees, which perpetuates the problem of inequitable wages based on gender rather than experience. This bill attempts to prohibit employers from seeking and relying on job applicants' salary history when considering an applicant for employment or determining their wages. Additionally, it would require employers to provide the salary range for a position to a job applicant upon request. HB233/SB212: Assault in the First Degree - Suffocation or Strangulation Non-fatal strangulation is one of the most significant risk factors for femicide. Studies have shown that prior non-fatal strangulation is associated with a six-fold increase in the chances of attempted homicide and a seven-fold increase in the changes of completed homicide. Under current law, suffocation and strangulation is classified as assault in the second degree. This bill attempts to reclassify suffocation and strangulation as assault in the first degree. This is the first time the bill is being introduced. Time to Care – Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program 79% of Maryland mothers are in the workforce. The burden of childcare and care-giving for ill and aging relatives disproportionately falls on women. There is no paid family or medical leave system in Maryland, which contributes to economic hardship for working people, particularly women. This bill would establish a family and medical leave insurance fund to partially replace wages for employees that take leave to care for a new child, a family member with a serious health condition, their own medical condition, or a family member's military deployment.   Women's voices and votes will count this session! Keep an eye on your emails for Action Alerts regarding our priority bills. On Wednesday, January 29, Commissioner Tazeen Ahmad testified on SB206: The True Freedom Act of 2020. This bill would expand Maryland's "vacating convictions" law to allow survivors of human trafficking to remove crimes from their criminal records, if they were forced to commit those crimes while being trafficked. This bill grants dignity to survivors, allowing them to access housing and employment. You can watch the hearing here.  Commissioner Tazeen Ahmad (6th from the right, back row) testified alongside human trafficking survivors and other experts in the field. We are hopeful that we will see a favorable report on this impactful legislation! Announcements       The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) is currently accepting applications for the position of Firefighter/Rescuer I (Recruit)! This announcement is to provide information for the upcoming recruit class tentatively scheduled to begin in the fall of 2020. Recruit class duration will be 26 weeks.  Click here for more information. Kudos Corner Do you know a woman who received a community award/honor or deserves kudos that you'd like for us to consider highlighting?  Let us know by e-mailing us at cfwinfo@montgomerycountymd.gov. On Thursday, January 30, Commission intern and MCPSS high school student Claire Gelillo testified in front of the Maryland General Assembly House Ways and Means Committee in favor of HB208. This bill would require the availability of free menstrual products in all Maryland public school bathrooms. Way to make your voice count, Claire!  Visit our Website and Facebook Page Be sure to visit our Facebook page and our website for all the latest news and stories. Be the first to "Be in the know"! Visit our Instagram Page Did you know the Commission for Women was on Instagram? Check out our page and give us a follow!   Check out our LinkedIn! Follow us on LinkedIn to see event and professional updates from the Commission!    Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com. This service is provided to you at no charge by Department of Transportation of Montgomery County MD. Visit Go Montgomery to view more news. 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