Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women
Encyclopedia
Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women was created by the Oklahoma State Legislature in 1994. Made up of thirty members, one-third are appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma
, one-third are appointed by the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate
, one-third are appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
to serve staggered 5-year terms. OCSW was established to "act as an advisory entity on equity issues relating to gender bias; monitor legislation to determine whether it is discriminatory toward one gender or the other; act as a resource and a clearinghouse for research on issues related to women and gender bias; report annually to the Governor, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives regarding its activities; and make recommendations concerning needed legislation or regulatory changes relating to equity and gender bias." Since July 1, 2002, the Oklahoma Office of Personnel Management
has had the responsibility of providing staff support to the Commission.
signed Executive Order 10980 on December 14, 1961 establishing the organization of the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women
. President Kennedy appointed former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt
to chair the committee. After the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women
issued a report encouraging states to establish their own commissions, the first Governor's Commission on the Status of Women in Oklahoma was established by Oklahoma Governor Henry Bellmon
in January 1964. The Commission continued to be re-established by executive orders until 1994 when it received legislative approval, establishing permanent status, a more defined budget, and continuity.
Two of the Commission's main projects include carrying out the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame
and the Oklahoma Women's Summit, held on alternating years.
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
, one-third are appointed by the President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate
President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate
The President pro tempore of the Oklahoma Senate is the second-highest-ranking official of the Oklahoma Senate and the highest-ranking State Senator. The Oklahoma Constitution states the Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma serves ex officio as President of the Senate, and is the highest-ranking...
, one-third are appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
The Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives is the presiding officer of the lower house of the Oklahoma Legislature, the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The Speaker exercises administrative and procedural functions in the House, but most importantly remains a representative of his...
to serve staggered 5-year terms. OCSW was established to "act as an advisory entity on equity issues relating to gender bias; monitor legislation to determine whether it is discriminatory toward one gender or the other; act as a resource and a clearinghouse for research on issues related to women and gender bias; report annually to the Governor, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives regarding its activities; and make recommendations concerning needed legislation or regulatory changes relating to equity and gender bias." Since July 1, 2002, the Oklahoma Office of Personnel Management
Oklahoma Office of Personnel Management
The Oklahoma Office of Personnel Management is an agency of the state of Oklahoma that manages the civil service of the state government. OPM provides comprehensive human resource services to all state agencies and employees , as well as information for individuals interested in state service...
has had the responsibility of providing staff support to the Commission.
History
President John F. KennedyJohn F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
signed Executive Order 10980 on December 14, 1961 establishing the organization of the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women
Presidential Commission on the Status of Women
The Presidential Commission on the Status of Women was established to advise the President of the United States on issues concerning the status of women. It was created by John F. Kennedy's executive order 10980 signed December 14, 1961.-Background:...
. President Kennedy appointed former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was the First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She supported the New Deal policies of her husband, distant cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and became an advocate for civil rights. After her husband's death in 1945, Roosevelt continued to be an international...
to chair the committee. After the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women
Presidential Commission on the Status of Women
The Presidential Commission on the Status of Women was established to advise the President of the United States on issues concerning the status of women. It was created by John F. Kennedy's executive order 10980 signed December 14, 1961.-Background:...
issued a report encouraging states to establish their own commissions, the first Governor's Commission on the Status of Women in Oklahoma was established by Oklahoma Governor Henry Bellmon
Henry Bellmon
Henry Louis "Harry" Bellmon was an American Republican politician from Oklahoma. He was a member of the Oklahoma Legislature, the 18th and 23rd Governor of Oklahoma , and a two-term United States Senator.-Service in World War II:Bellmon was born in Tonkawa, Oklahoma and graduated from Billings...
in January 1964. The Commission continued to be re-established by executive orders until 1994 when it received legislative approval, establishing permanent status, a more defined budget, and continuity.
Two of the Commission's main projects include carrying out the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame
Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame
Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame was established in 1982 by Oklahoma Governor George Nigh "to honor Oklahoma women who are pioneers in their field or in a project that benefits Oklahoma; who have made a significant contribution to the State of Oklahoma; who serve or have served as role models to other...
and the Oklahoma Women's Summit, held on alternating years.