Executive Order  No. 81: Establishing a Governor's Commission on the Status of Women, and defining its powers and duties

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, measures that contribute to the family security and strengthen home life will serve to advance the general welfare of all the people, and

WHEREAS, women should be assured the opportunity to develop their capabilities and fulfill their aspirations 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 married women to continue their role as wives and mothers while making a maximum contribution to the world around them;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Francis W. Sargent, Governor of the Commonwealth, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Supreme Executive Magistrate, do hereby order as follows:

1. There is hereby created a commission, to be known as the Governor's Commission on the Status of Women, to consist of thirty-five members appointed by the Governor for terms of one year, representing, among others, the following segments of the community: business, government, labor, education, the health professions, and social welfare services.

The Governor shall name one of the appointed members as Chairman and one as Deputy Chairman. 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 and the Chairman 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 Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Commission, and eight other members selected by the Commission, which shall promulgate rules and procedures for the Commission's activities.

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 members 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 receive the cooperation of all state departments and agencies in carrying out its activities.

6. 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.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston this third day of June in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and seventy-one and of the Independence of the United States the one hundred and ninety-fifth.

FRANCIS W. SARGENT

Governor

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

JOHN F. X. DAVOREN

Secretary of the Commonwealth