Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women Hosts 46th Annual National Association of Commissions for Women Empowerment Summit and Conference

Posted on Sep 20, 2016 in Main, NEWS
Conference attendees converse with First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige.

Conference attendees converse with First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige.

The Hawai‘i State Commission on the Status of Women (HSCSW) recently hosted and sponsored a successful national conference, bringing together advocates for women and girls from across the country. Notable speakers included members of the Hawai‘i Women’s Legislative Caucus, who spoke to the group of more than 100 attendees about the importance of women’s involvement in politics and the impact gender can make on crafting sensible and solution-based legislation; United States Senator Mazie Hirono, who spoke about the importance of women’s commissions and their historical work on the Equal Rights Amendment; filmmaker Kamala Lopez, documentarian and director for the recently released (and award-winning) film “Equal Means Equal”; and First Lady, Mrs. Dawn Amano-Ige, who spoke to the attendees at Washington Place regarding her support of women’s rights. Other sessions included: workplace equity, paid family leave and wage equality, how to craft victim-centered legislative policy, and creating safe places for girls to thrive.

Hon Com. Amy Monk, Maui Com. Leslie Wilkins, Senator Maize Hirono, Kauai Com. Lisa Ellen Smith, Hawaii Isl Com. Cyd Hoffeld, Hon. Com. Sherry Campagna, Hon Com. Judy Kern pose a for photo during the National Commissions on the Status of Women conference.

Hon Com. Amy Monk, Maui Com. Leslie Wilkins, Senator Maize Hirono, Kauai Com. Lisa Ellen Smith, Hawaii Isl Com. Cyd Hoffeld, Hon. Com. Sherry Campagna, Hon Com. Judy Kern pose a for photo during the National Commissions on the Status of Women conference.

Attendees additionally toured ‘Iolani Palace and the YWCA and learned of the rich historical legacies left by Hawai‘i’s early feminists and leaders for equality.

Hon Com. Judy Kern & Amy Monk, NACW President Cecilia Zamora enjoy an afternoon at Washington Place during the conference.

Hon Com. Judy Kern & Amy Monk, NACW President Cecilia Zamora enjoy an afternoon at Washington Place during the conference.

The Hawai‘i State Commission on the Status of Women was created in 1964 and is one of the longest serving commissions in the nation. For more than 50 years, the Commission has served as legislative advocates, policy researchers, and agents of change to ensure all women and girls throughout Hawai‘i are treated with dignity and equity. Their work benefits the women and girls of Hawai‘i in various important areas: Title IX and campus safety, labor protections for domestic workers, protections for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors, employment protections, and anti-discrimination of women in the workplace.

For forty-six years, the National Association of Commissions for Women (NACW), a 501(c)(3) organization, has represented the interests of the board and staff from state, county, and city women’s commissions. NACW has been the only national advocate of women’s commissions who, in turn, articulates the interests and concerns of millions of women and girls from across the nation. NACW’s membership is made up of a diverse blend of all ages, economic, and ethnic backgrounds. NACW acts as a bridge between government and communities, communicating the needs and issues affecting women and girls in order to create positive social change.

Conference attendees toured ‘Iolani Palace and then YWCA to learn about Hawai‘i’s history and the role women have played in it.