Michigan Women's Commission staffer elected to national board

During the National Association of Commissions for Women’s (NACW) conference last week, Elizabeth Thompson of Ypsilanti was elected to the 2011-2012 Board of Directors. She is a Program Specialist with the Michigan Women’s Commission.

“The annual NACW conference provided a wonderful opportunity to connect with colleagues and peers across the country who are also working on issues that impact women," Thompson said. "This event helped us to establish and strengthen our coalitions, expand our knowledge about other commissions, network, and to share ideas about maximizing resources to work on issues that impact women today. It is an honor to have been elected to the NACW Board, and I am confident Michigan will benefit from our continued commitment to this body.”

NACW is the only professional organization for those working with commissions for Women. The association is committed to equality and justice for women by increasing the effectiveness of member commissions and serving as their national voice.

In 1961, President Kennedy established the President’s Commission on the Status of Women. Eleanor Roosevelt was the chair and Esther Peterson of the Women’s Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor, was vice-chair. The Commission produced a report containing the recommendation that each state form a similar commission. Some fifty years later, these commissions continue to advocate for equality and justice for women, serving their communities in a variety of ways. Member Commissions for Women, through NACW, keep the needs of women at the forefront of laws, policies, practices, and promote the improvement of the status of women.

For more information on the Michigan Women’s Commission, please visit michigan.gov/mdcr.