The Florida Commission on the Status of Women (FCSW) is a

nonpartisan Nonpartisan or non-partisan may refer to: __NOTOC__ General political concepts * Nonpartisanship, also known as Nonpartisanism, co-operation without reference to political parties * Non-partisan democracy, an election with no official recognition ...

board established in 1991 with a focus of raising awareness and celebrating the contributions and success of all Floridians. They provide a collaborative platform for those seeking information on issues that affect women, girls and families in Florida. FCSW members serve by appointment and the commission is housed at the Office of the

Attorney General of Florida The Florida attorney general is an elected cabinet official in the U.S. state of Florida. The attorney general serves as the chief legal officer of the state, and is head of the Florida Department of Legal Affairs. The office is one of Florida's ...

. Their goal is to provide communication, promotion, and collaboration among hundreds of organizations working in all 67 counties that are focused on the welfare of the women of Florida.

History

Governor

Lawton Chiles Lawton Mainor Chiles Jr. (April 3, 1930 – December 12, 1998) was an American politician and military officer. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party, he served as a United States Senate, United States senator fr ...

lobbied the Florida Legislature to statutorily create the Florida Commission on the Status of Women after he took office in 1991. The leading sponsor in the House of Representatives for CS/CS/HB 109 was Representative Elaine Gordon, while Senator

Carrie Meek Carrie Mae Meek (née Pittman; April 29, 1926November 28, 2021) was the United States representative for Florida's 17th congressional district. She was the first African American since the Reconstruction era elected to represent Florida in the Un ...

sponsored the companion bill, SB 1324. The commission's legislative authority now exists in Section 14.24, Florida Statutes. Since 1991, the Florida Commission on the Status of Women has been fully supported by the Governor, the Cabinet and the Florida Legislature.

Events

The Commission oversees two awards: the

Florida Women's Hall of Fame The Florida Women's Hall of Fame is an honor roll of women who have contributed to life for citizens of the US state of Florida. An awards ceremony for the hall of fame was first held in 1982 and recipient names are displayed in the Florida State ...

, an honor roll of women who have contributed to life for citizens of Florida, and the Florida Achievement Award for individuals who have improved the lives of women and girls in Florida.

Florida Women's Hall of Fame

An awards ceremony for the Florida Women's Hall of Fame was first held in 1982 and recipient names are displayed in the

Florida State Capitol The Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida, is an architecturally and historically significant building listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Capitol is at the intersection (road), intersection of Apalachee Parkway and F ...

. Since 1992, up to three women have been inducted into the Hall each year. Nominations are made between April 1 and July 15 of each year. These nominations are carefully reviewed by members of the FCSW who then propose 10 finalists to the Governor who selects the final inductees each year.

Florida Women's Day at The Capitol

More than 130 women and organizations travel to Tallahassee to participate in Florida Women's Day at the Capitol. This annual event brings together legislators, public policy experts, members of community organizations, and the public in order to inform and motivate women to engage in the legislative process, and to help them gather the tools needed to be leaders on policy changes impacting women.

Women's History Essay Contest

Florida students in grades 6-9 participate in the Florida Women's Essay Contest designed to allow young people the opportunity to gain a more relevant appreciation of women's roles in history, and engage young minds of women's roles in history, and engage young minds of women's role in the future. Winning essayists are awarded prizes and recognized during Women's Day at the Capitol in Tallahassee.

References

External links

* Awards honoring women Non-profit organizations based in Florida 1991 establishments in Florida Women in Florida {{Florida-stub