Three Vermont women have been appointed to serve on the Vermont Commission on Women (VCW), the state’s non-partisan commission working to advance rights and opportunities for women and girls.
Governor Phil Scott appointed Annie Mackin of St Albans. Mackin is the Chief Media Relations Officer at the University of Vermont Health Network. She was recognized as a Vermont Rising Star by Vermont Business Magazine, and is committed to serving her community through volunteer work and addressing issues of affordability and accessibility. She comes from a strong background in communications and environmental conservation, and is committed to advancing the state conversation to make things better for women and the natural environment.
The Senate Committee on Committees appointed Esther Charlestin of Middlebury. Charlestin is a first generation Haitian American, born to immigrant parents Anita and Glachan Charlestin, who instilled the value of education in her. Through their encouragement, she completed a Bachelors in History & Communication, Masters in Corporate Communication and Public Relations, and Master of Arts in Teaching. “My hope is to serve by empowering women and using my voice to do so,” Charlestin says.
Speaker of the House Jill Krowinski appointed Brenda Churchill of Bakersfield. She is a proud resident of her town, serving as a Selectboard member, a Justice of the Peace, zoning administrator, and American Rescue Plan Act fund manager. After working in telecommunications for 23 years, she was asked to serve as Legislative Liaison for the LGBTQIA Alliance of Vermont, becoming a well-known and influential presence in the State House. She was instrumental in helping to pass legislation related to ethnic and social equity studies, gender-neutral bathrooms, and adding a non-binary designation on Vermont birth certificates.
***
The Vermont Commission on Women (VCW) is an independent non-partisan state commission working to advance rights and opportunities for women and girls. Sixteen volunteer commissioners and representatives from organizations concerned with women's issues guide VCW's public education, coalition building, and advocacy efforts.