The University Record, November 5, 1996
Commission for Women will celebrate 25 years at Nov. 20 conference
The Commission for Women will host a 25th anniversary celebration 1-4 p.m. Nov. 20. All are invited to attend the free, public conference “Milestones on the Way to the Millennium: Welcoming the Next Generation.”
Barbara Newell, the first chair of the Commission, will return from Florida to join speakers Robben Fleming, the U-M’s 10th president; Provost J. Bernard Machen; Barbara Murphy, assistant chair of the commission and assistant to LS&A Dean Edie N. Goldenberg; and others.
The Commission for Women was created in 1971 during Fleming’s administration to address a charge of discrimination against women made by the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare. The group of 12 was charged with looking into U-M policies, procedures and practices that might discriminate against women and to make affirmative and constructive proposals for the improvement of employment and employment conditions for women.
Since then, the commission has helped the U-M form policies on salary equity, a non-discriminatory hiring policy, maternity leave policies and a staff grievance program. The Commission also held the first assertiveness training program on campus and began a series of town meetings on mediation, grievance reform and salaries, among other topics.
For more information about the Commission or the conference, call Elaine Sims, 936-7634.
