Our 4th Annual Girl Power Contest Is Here!

Are you ready for the 2020 Census?

News You Can Use February 28, 2020 We will be accepting entries for our 4th Annual Girl Power Contest from March 1 to March 31. This year's question is:  As we commemorate the 100th anniversary of women's right to vote, what barriers do you think still exist for women and girls and how can you help to break them? We welcome short stories, poems, drawings, and other creative submissions from all Montgomery County residents, ages 5 to 105. Submissions can be intellectual, emotional, funny, spiritual, or serious. Winners will be announced on or before April 30. For more information, and to submit an entry, please use this form. We look forward to receiving your entries!     We are publicizing this year's Girl Power Contest on social media and on the air waves.  Be on the look out for Commission President, Nicole Y. Drew. Esq., on County Report This Week, starting today!  Black History Month 2020 Featured Changemaker: Christine "Tina" Clarke Ms. Clarke is a noted civil rights activist and historian. She has fought from a young age for equality and justice. Ms. Clarke comes from a family with a long history of activism. She is the granddaughter of Noah E. Clarke, the son of a freed slave who was one of the first African-Americans in Montgomery County to attend college. Throughout the early 1900s, he successfully fought for formal education of black children in Montgomery County. Ms. Clarke's activism began when she was young, when she picketed her local library. Although she was an avid reader, she was not allowed to access public libraries due to segregation.  Her activism continued through marches for equality at Glen Echo Park and other locations. She helped coordinate the county's Black History Month, Martin Luther King Jr., Day, and Juneteenth celebrations for many years. She was one of the first members of the county's Black Democratic Club.  In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Ms. Clarke served as African American liaison officer to County Executive Douglas M. Duncan. In this role, she advised the County Executive on how best to serve the Black community of Montgomery County. Ms. Clarke is a member of Montgomery County's Human Rights Hall of Fame.  2020 Legislative Priorities PAY EQUITY Update: The Maryland House of Delegates heard testimony on HB123, Labor and Employment - Salary History Information Disclosures. Commission Secretary Tiffany Boiman testified on behalf of the Commission before the House Economic Matters Committee. The Maryland State Senate heard testimony on the cross-filed bill, SB217, Labor and Employment - Salary History Information Disclosures on Thursday, February 13.The Senate Finance Committee delivered a favorable report! VACATUR (TRUE FREEDOM ACT) Update: We are pleased to share that the True Freedom Act (HB 242/SB 206) has passed BOTH chambers!  We will continue to keep you updated on this important legislation. ASSAULT IN THE FIRST DEGREE - SUFFOCATION OR STRANGULATION  Update:  HB233/SB212  passed out of the House Judiciary Committee! The Maryland State Senate heard testimony on this bill on January 29. FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE INSURANCE PROGRAM: TIME TO CARE Update: We support SB539/HB839. The Maryland House of Delegates Economic Matters Committee will heard this bill on February 24 at 1:00pm. You can watch the hearing here. The Senate Finance Committee heard this bill on February 27 at 1:00pm. Women's voices and votes will count this session! Keep an eye on your emails for Action Alerts regarding our priority bills. CFW Programs 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. March 3, 2020: Damascus Library April 7, 2020: Chevy Chase Library May 5, 2020: David Library June 2, 2020: Silver Spring Library We've partnered with Montgomery County Public Libraries to offer a series of FREE financial seminars to help walk you through the ins and outs of "all things" money. The seminars will be led by Jamie Lapin, owner of Risk Management Group, LLC. Seminars will take place at the Rockville Memorial Library in the second-floor meeting room. Topics include: March 31:  Financial Planning 101  Financial Planning 101: Do you know the difference between a stock and a bond? Do you recognize the need to invest to beat inflation, but are scared due to the volatility of the market? Learn the basics of financial planning, along with terms and tools to equip yourself with the knowledge you need to succeed financially. April 7: Planning for Retirement Planning for Retirement: Not running out of money before running out of time is most people's biggest concern. Learn how to use your assets or sources of income to invest in safety and security.  Our goal is to maximize your resources and autonomy. Because it's not just your money, it's your future.  April 14:  Social Security and Medicare Social Security and Medicare: Smart, strategic decision-making about Social Security and Medicare can be as important as saving, investing your assets and planning for expenses. When should you take it? When must you take it? Learn how to utilize and maximize the government programs you have invested in for your working life time. April 28: Divorce and Money Divorce and Money: Divorce is a strain on your finances as well as your nerves. Will you be fiscally ok when it's over? What is your role in making sure of that? Sign up today! Been out of work for some time? Are you trying to change careers? Are you looking for new employment opportunities? If you answered yes to any of these questions then these workshops are for you! Throughout this series you will hear from human resource professionals on topics including: crafting the perfect resume, networking tips, creating your own elevator pitch, interview best practices, dressing for the workforce, and wage negotiation. This is a 5-part series, and participants can choose to attend one or more seminars. All classes are FREE. June 9, 2020: Creating Your Best Resume June 16, 2020: Networking Tips & Elevator Pitches June 23, 2020: Interview Best Practices & Dressing for the Workforce June 30, 2020: Wage Negotiation July 7, 2020: Career Coaching All classes will be held at the Up-County Regional Services Center, Third Floor, Room D. Sign up here. The 2020 Census is almost upon us!  The Federal Government uses Census data to allocate funding and resources. That means that every Marylander counts!  For more information, visit https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/census/. Announcements The Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Service's official coronavirus announcement and updates can be found here. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that usually cause mild respiratory illnesses such as the common cold.  Some Coronaviruses have caused more severe illness, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).   Health officials are still learning the details on how this new virus spread.  Other coronaviruses spread from an infected person to others through: The air by coughing and sneezing Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes Health experts are still learning about the range of illness from this virus.  Cases reported have ranged from mild illness (like a common cold) to severe pneumonia that requires hospitalizations.  So far, the deaths from this virus have occurred mainly in older adults who had other health conditions. People who have been diagnosed with the COVID-19 novel Coronavirus have reported symptoms that may appear in as few as 2 days or as many as 14 days after exposure to the virus: Fever Coughing Difficulty breathing Pneumonia As of January 27, 2020, the CDC has recommended that travelers avoid all non-essential travel to China.  Chinese officials have closed transport within and out of Wuhan and other cities in the Hubei province, including buses, trains and the international airport. Right now, the COVID-19 novel Coronavirus has not been spreading widely in the United States, so there are not additional precautions recommended for the general public.  Steps you can take to prevent the spread of flu and the common cold will also help prevent Coronavirus: Stay away from people who are sick.  If you are sick, stay home from work and school Do not travel if you are sick Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hand.  Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is the best way to prevent the spread of this virus and many other illnesses Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when coughing or sneezing Stay informed on the latest information.  Visit the CDC COVID-19 website for more information and the latest updates. If you have traveled to China in the last 14 days and feel sick with fever, cough or difficulty breathing: See your primary care provider right away.  Call ahead and tell them about your symptoms. Avoid contact with others Do not travel if you are sick Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when coughing or sneezing Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.  Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. 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. 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. This email was sent to stevenmagallanes520.nims@blogger.com using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Montgomery County Maryland · Monroe Street · 13th Floor Rockville · Rockville, MD 20850 · (240) 777-2900