Oakland County honors women commissioners

Pontiac, Michigan -- On March 3, 2010, Oakland County Commissioners will honor all women who have served as members of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. The gathering is part of a special recognition celebrating Women’s History Month.

The women will be honored for their public service during the board meeting, which will begin at 7 p.m., in the Oakland County Board of Commissioners’ Auditorium, located at 1200 North Telegraph Road in Pontiac. The Board will also honor the League of Women Voters, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary.

Since the inception of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, women have had a pivotal role in board leadership. Presently, seven women are serving: Sue Ann Douglas, Marcia Gershenson, Mattie McKinney Hatchett, Janet Jackson, Christine A. Long, Shelley G. Taub and Helaine Zack.

Many former women commissioners have ascended to other levels of government and currently hold office. They include Oakland County Clerk Ruth A. Johnson, Michigan State Senator Gilda Z. Jacobs, Michigan State House Representative Eileen Kowall and 45 B-District Judge Michelle Friedman Appel.

The Board would like to honor as many former women commissioners as possible and is trying to locate them. Former women commissioners are urged to contact the Oakland County Board of Commissioners’ Liaison Julia Ruffin at 248-858-1092, by Monday, March 1, 2010.