Commission For Women

 FREDERICK COUNTY COMMISSION FOR WOMEN

The next FCCFW Meeting will be held on Monday, April 24, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. 

These meetings will be streamed live for the public to observe on the Frederick County Boards and Commissions Facebook page, which is available at: https://wwwfacebook.com/FredCoMdBoards

In order to listen to this meeting toll-free, please dial 855-925-2801, enter code 4236, and select *1.

For more information, please contact cfw@frederickcountymd.gov or 301-600-1066. Be sure to visit the Frederick County Commission For Women Facebook page for upcoming events.

Notice of Proposed Changes to the Commission for Women's Bylaws

The Frederick County Commission for Women is providing 30 days advance notice of their intent, at their April 24, 2023 regular meeting, to vote on the adoption of changes to their Bylaws. This notice was posted on this website on March 17, 2023. The proposed changes are as follows:

BYLAWS 2023

Article V. Membership, Meetings, Quorum, Attendance

Section 1. Membership Meetings. All Commission meetings shall be at a Frederick County location or virtually, be open to the public, and be accessible to the handicapped. Minutes shall be recorded for all Membership meetings.

Section 2. Regular Membership Meetings. The Commission will hold monthly public meetings with the exception of July when no meeting will be scheduled. A calendar of meeting dates shall be part of the public record and shall be publicized. Special meetings may be called as needed by a majority of the Members in office or the Executive committee with three (3) business days notice by phone or email.

Section 5. Annual Review & Planning Meeting. Within the first three (3) months of each fiscal year (July, August, September) the Membership shall meet to evaluate the activities of the Commission, reevaluate the long-range plan and in following the requirement that “Each public entity subject to the Open Meetings Act must designate at least one employee, officer, or member to receive training on the requirements of the Act” a commissioner shall be designated during this planning meeting.

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COVID-19 and Women

According to Wenham, Smith and Morgan, 2020, sex-disaggregated data for COVID-19 show equal numbers of cases between men and women so far. When looking at the recent social distancing measures imposed the impact of care and support may be gendered.

The closure of schools to control COVID-19 might have a differential effect on women, who “provide most of the informal care within families, with the consequence of limiting their work and economic opportunities.”

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (2020) noted that another gendered impact may be the unknown impact to pregnant women and infants. Even now very little is known about COVID-19, particularly related to its effect on pregnant women and infants, and there currently are no recommendations specific to pregnant women regarding the evaluation or management of COVID-19 so the same precautions above apply.

Some populations may be at increased risk during this time of heightened stress and social distancing. Please know that you are not alone. Many service providers are available now if you need help. Here are some resources of specific interest to women:

The Maryland Department of Human Services

The Maryland Department of Health

Maryland Behavioral Administration 

The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault 

The Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence

BeFree Textline:Text HELP to 233733 (BEFREE) Confidential, 24/7 For Victims of Human Trafficking

National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888 (TTY: 711)

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST)

About the Commission

The Frederick County Commission For Women (FCCFW) is a non-partisan organization tasked with advising Frederick County government on issues affecting women and families in alignment with our mission and purpose as listed below.

Mission

The mission of the FCCFW is "to create a stronger community by addressing challenges and fostering unlimited opportunities For All Women".

Purpose

The purpose of the FCCFW is:

  • To provide a central agency for the collection and referral of activities and services of interest to women.
  • To promote a positive image of women by recognizing their accomplishments.
  • To advocate for the county's constituency to the legislature, the judiciary, the executive, the media, and the public.
  • To identify, study, evaluate, and eradicate, as an advocate, discrimination against all women.
  • To develop and implement programs that will expand women's educational and employment opportunities.
  • To strengthen home life by directing attention to critical problems confronting women.
  • To educate women in the process of seeking leadership roles.
  • To encourage women to seek political office, either elective or appointive.
  • To recommend such procedures, programs, or legislation as it may deem necessary and proper to promote and ensure equal rights and opportunities for all persons, regardless of their gender.
  • To advise and counsel the residents of Frederick County and all government agencies on all matters involving the needs of women and especially those matters relating to discrimination or prejudice on account of gender.

For additional information relating to women's issues, please refer to the Frederick Community College Women's Center.