The Vermont Commission on Women is a state agency working to help women achieve legal, economic, social, and political equality in Vermont. The agency offers services as an advisor, planner, and information source for the legislature on issues affecting women. The commission also functions as an educational resource by conducting research, producing publications, and providing conferences and workshops. It works with other organizations and provides referrals.
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Advocacy
The VCW researches and monitors legislation and policies that are important to women and families in Vermont. VCW also assists various policymakers with research on pertinent policy issues. VCW organizes and partners with broad-based coalitions on issues affecting Vermont families.
Sexual Harassment The VCW has long advocated for better legislation around sexual harassment, as well as better broadcast and recognition of the current laws in Vermont. According to Vermont law, a sexual harassment policy is required of all workplaces and school, and these policies are supposed to be in a visible, accessible place. The VCW has been instrumental in publicizing these policies, and publishes literature on citizen's rights in instances of sexual harassment, the action they can take, and places to find support.
Expressing Breastmilk in the workplace The VCW has advocated for women's rights to pump milk in public places, and has recently been a strong influence in passing legislation that allows women to have time and a place to pump while at work. When compared to the national average, a higher percentage of Vermont women breastfeed; but some women were forced to stop pumping because of their inability to pump at work. The passage of this law required employers to designate a space, and allow time for women to pump.
Public Education
The VCW conducts research and produces publications on issues such as legal rights, harassment in education, family leave, and women's economic status. They also sponsor speaking events and workshops on these issues and others. An important publication is the "Legal Rights of Women in Vermont", which provides "plain English" explanations of laws affecting women and families.
Governance
Established in 1964 as the Governor's Commission on the Status of Women, they are one of many state and municipal women’s commissions in the United States. In 2002 they were put into Vermont statute and renamed the Vermont Commission on Women (VCW).
VCW is governed by 16 Commissioners and an Advisory Council. Selected by multiple appointing authorities, Commissioners come from all parts of the state and across the political spectrum. Commissioners bring multiple perspectives to decision-making: as women with family responsibilities, as workers, as employers, and business owners. VCW is a deliberative body, and decisions are adopted by majority vote.
Commissioners Commissioners are volunteers from across the state who have experience working toward improving the status of women. Eight Commissioner appointments are made by the Governor, three by the Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives, three by the Vermont Senate Committee on Committees, and one by each of the Democratic and Republican parties. Commissioners serve four year terms.