Executive Order

Executive Order  No. 136: Governor's Commission on the Status of Women

Date: 07/15/1977
Issuer: Michael S. Dukakis
Mass Register: No. 68
Revoking: Executive Order 119

Table of Contents

WHEREAS, it is in the interest of our Commonwealth to promote the economy, security and social well-being of our people through the most efficient and effective utilization of the skills of all persons; and

WHEREAS, the full realization of women's basic rights should be respected and fostered as part of our commitment to human dignity, freedom and democracy; and

WHEREAS, women should be assured the opportunity to develop their capabilities and fulfill their aspirations on the basis of their individual merit, free from limitations based on sex; and

WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of the Commonwealth acting through its appropriate agencies to assure equal treatment on the basis of sex in public and private employment and to develop services which will enable all women to maximize contribution to the world around them;

NOW THEREFORE, I, Michael S. Dukakis, Governor of the Common- wealth, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Supreme Executive Magistrate, do hereby order as follows:

I. There is hereby created a Commission, to be known as the Governor's Commission on the Status of Women, to consist of forty members appointed by the Governor for terms of three (3) years, with staggered appointments. Of the members first appointed, 1/3 shall serve for 1 year terms, 1/3 for 2 year terms, and 1/3 for 3 year terms. Thereafter, all appointments shall be for 3 year terms. Appointments shall be effective on September 1, expiring on August 31st of the designated year. The membership shall reflect the diversity of women in the Commonwealth.

From the membership, the Governor shall name a Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson(s). They shall serve for a minimum of a 2-year term. Any vacancies which may occur shall be filled by the Governor. In addition, the Commissioners of Administration, Community Affairs, Labor and Industries, Public Health, Mental Health, Public Welfare, Commerce and Development, Education, the Director of the Division of Employment Security, the Director of the Division of Civil Service, the Director of the Office for Children, the Commission of Youth Services, and the Chairperson of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, or their respective designees, shall serve as ex- officio members of the Commission.

2. There shall be an Executive Committee consisting of the Chairperson and the Vice-Chairperson(s) of the Commission, the Executive Director (ex-officio), the Chairpersons of the Commission's Standing Committees, Chairpersons of active Task Forces, plus additional members agreed to by the Executive Committee. The tasks of the Executive Committee shall be to set the agenda for Commission meetings; to act as spokespersons for the Task Force and Standing Committees which they represent; to formulate Commission policy when the entire membership cannot be convened.

3. The Commission shall meet at regular intervals and may hold hearings and seminars in various parts of the Commonwealth.

4. The Commission may form sub-committees from its own membership and may call upon task forces from outside its own membership for research and recommendations related to the functions of the Commission.

5. The Commission shall have the following functions and responsibilities:

A. To survey and evaluate all statutes of the Commonwealth and all governmental programs and practices, relating to the employment, health, education and welfare of women, to examine the adequacy thereof, and to make recommendations to the Governor for such changes as the Commission may deem necessary.

B. To investigate the need for new and expanded services that may be required for women as wives, mothers and workers, including education, counselling, training and retraining, home services and arrangements for the care of children of mothers who are or seek to be employed, and to make recommendations to the Governor with respect thereto.

C. To work in a variety of ways to see that the recommendations of the Commission are enacted into law, and to oversee the implementation of such legislation throughout the Commonwealth.

D. To use the human resources of the Commission to educate all of the citizens of the Commonwealth, including elected and appointed officials, regarding the issues of importance to the women of the Commonwealth.

6. The Commission shall receive the cooperation of all state departments and agencies in carrying out its activities.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston this 15th day of July in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and seventy-seven and of the Independence of the United States the two hundred first.

Michael S. Dukakis
Governor
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Paul Guzzi
Secretary of the Commonwealth

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