Committee Chair: Commissioner Heidi Tringe
Staff: Cary Brown
VCW believes that women of all ages must have equal access to the benefits and privileges of economic security and prosperity.
VCW monitors legislation and public policies, provides research and information, and collaborates on measures that support the following outcomes:
- Women and men earn equal pay for equal work.
- Women earn a livable wage.
- Vermont workplaces are free of gender bias and harassment.
- Women entrepreneurs have support in starting or expanding businesses.
- Vermonters have support to balance work and family life.
- Vermonters will have adequate public assistance - social benefits.
In September 2019, VCW commissioners identified areas of interest to them, listed below. The ones in bold may fall under this committee’s purview.
1. Reducing use of term “Women’s Issues”, and increasing buy-in that we all benefit
2. Increase discussion of lack of options for low-wage workers experiencing harassment
3. Mandatory (required to be taken) maternity and paternity leave
4. Requirement that all salary information is public including private employers
5. Listening Project – data
a. Not what we think – what do we hear?
6. Easy wins (little things like “Men Working” sign, changing tables in men’s rooms)
7. ERA x2
8. Title IX Discrimination against incarcerated women. Education, job training, access.
9. Paid Family Leave
10. Raise the minimum wage
11. Women’s economic power, specifically low wage workers
12. Child protection reform and transparency
13. Child Care
14. Communication around legal protections – breastfeeding protections, sexual harassment protections, etc.
15. Obesity – poor nutrition
16. Continued investment in childcare
17. Massive culture change within women’s correctional facility needed
18. Children’s health – school lunch programs, nutrition taught in schools (P-12)
19. Universal basic income
20. Promote our resources -> social media, website, send a rep to conferences, advisory organizations
Meets the second Monday of each month at 8:00 a.m. via conference call
2022
March 4, 2022 Agenda | Meeting Cancelled
February 4, 2022 Agenda | Meeting Cancelled
January 7, 2022 Agenda | Minutes
2021
December 3, 2021 Agenda | Minutes
2019
November 4, 2019 Minutes
2018
May 3, 2018 Minutes