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The Pennsylvania Commission for Women:
What It Does and What Will Be Lost If SB850 Passes

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The role this Commission plays in bettering the lives of women and girls across the Commonwealth is sizeable and impressive. Its achievements in the areas of women’s heath, domestic violence, employment, wage equity and legislative advocacy are making the future brighter for countless people.  In devaluing PCW’s extraordinary accomplishments, the Senate is devaluing the critical needs of women and children.

For 35 years, PCW has identified and advanced the diverse needs and interests of Pennsylvania women and children. Today their mission is to inform, educate and advocate for its constituents and provide opportunities to empower women and girls to reach their highest potential. In dissolving the budget of this Commission, SB 850 destroys a strong and worthy advocate in the fight Pennsylvania women and children are waging for better, more productive lives.

The Pennsylvania Commission for Women helps women and children lead better, more productive lives through the following:
Important to note: all starred (*) initiatives are not funded through the State but through corporate sponsorship and foundations.

Education:

  • * The Pennsylvania Governor’s Conference for Women hosted by the Governor and the PA Commission for Women is a one-day, non-partisan event that attracts over 5,000 attendees and impacts lives. The State’s premier educational event for women features nationally recognized speakers and panelists sharing inspirational stories and expertise. The Conference includes a young women’s program, a scholarship program and an expo featuring more than 100 exhibitors.
  • * Women-vote marketing campaign and micro-site (www.everywomansvotecounts.com) educating women as to the importance and empowerment of voting and driving women to the polls.
  • * The 2009 Status of PA Women Report- a comprehensive research and reference tool.

Information:

  • Hotline for information and referral on women’s issues from domestic violence and health care to funding for small businesses.

Women’s Health:

  • * The Women’s Wellness guides are bi-lingual, touch activated, sound activated kiosks that incorporate information on the prevention and early detection of heart disease, weight management, diabetes, smoking, asthma, osteoporosis, domestic violence, depression, diet and exercise, lunch, breast, cervical, ovarian, colon and skin cancers. PCW has distributed 13 of these kiosks across the state.
  • Pink Fountain campaign turning state and community fountains pink across the State to raise awareness around breast cancer and educate that early detection saves lives.
  • * Osteoporosis multi-media marketing campaign targeted to women in rural areas of the state, educating them about the dangers of this disease and the value of early detection.

Advocacy:

  • Legislation including preventing employment discrimination, the breast and cervical cancer early screening act, domestic violence prevention, breast feeding in public places, clean-air act, early childhood education and more.

Women as Role Models

  • * Voices, African American and Latina Women Share Their Stories of Success is a hard-cover, coffee table book featuring 50 extraordinary Pennsylvania women as role models for young girls. PCW has given this book to every county library and school library, serving grades 6-9, in the state.
  • * Voices Photo Exhibit is a striking museum exhibit and programming that debuted at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh and is now residing at the State Museum in Harrisburg. 

Historic Pride:

  • Legendary Ladies, brochures and a website (www.WomenMadeHistoryinPa.com) speak to the achievements and impact of the women of this Commonwealth throughout history.