The Daily Bulletin Archive

Amitra Hodge, associate professor, Sociology, has been elected 2008 board chair of Erie County’s Commission on the Status of Women. Hodge was initially appointed to the board by Joel Giambra in June 2006. Over the past year, she served as chair of the Research Committee. Established by a unanimous vote of the Erie County Legislature in 1987, the commission works to remove gender-based inequities for women and to ensure that the women of Erie County have full participation in the issues that have an impact on their lives. In 1988, the commission became a department of Erie County government. The commission conducts policy studies; analyzes current legislation, programs, and trends affecting women; develops collaborative programs with local and regional organizations and public officials; provides educational awareness; and recommends measures to coordinate, consolidate, or expand the resources and services available to women in Erie County. The commission also works to ensure that (1) a proportionate number of women, including women of color, are appointed to public, private, and not-for-profit boards; (2) there is public awareness and an effective system of response for victims of domestic violence; (3) the economic self-sufficiency of women is no less than that of men; (4) women have access to pertinent health information; and (5) community leaders are educated on issues affecting women.