NHC Commission for Women Minutes 7.29.2020Committee Members Present: Kathryn Wandling, Kim Spader, Sheila Evans, Bhairavi Jeganathan, Bridget Tarrant, Jane Birnbach, Kristi Baker, Dr. Stephanie R. Johnson, Natosha Tew, Velva
Jenkins
Committee Members Absent: Katherine Kirby
Staff Present: Tufanna Bradley, Assistant County Manager
Guests in attendance: Mary Willams-Stover, Executive Director, NC Council for Women & Youth Involvement; Philisa Fowler, Eastern Regional Director, NC Council for Women & Youth Involvement;
Jeannie Lee
Call to Order - Kathryn Wandling, Chair called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. A quorum was established.
Approve Agenda and Minutes -Kathryn made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Jane Birnbach. Agenda approved. Kathryn made a motion to approve the June 25th Meeting minutes, seconded
by Bridget Tarrant. Meeting minutes approved.
Tufana shared that Judge Robinson sent an email to Tufana Bradley to amend the minutes to show that Judge Robinson moved to Wilmington after law school. The motion was amended with the
change by Kathryn and seconded by Jane Birnbach.
Guest Speaker -Mary Williams Stover, Executive Director, NC Council for Women
Mary Williams-Stover presented a Power Point presentation. Mary shared that she would like the committee to help with advertising/marketing the outreach of events including August 20th.
Tufana Bradley emailed the committee the Status of Women Report Launch Events to be held August 11,18, 25th - https://ncadmin.nc.gov/advocacy/women/status-women-north-carolina/status-women-north-car
olina-political-participation. The event will be recorded. Mary stated that it is her hope that people will look over the report and move to advocacy. Mary turned the presentation over
to Philisa Fowler who shared that she represents 28 counties in the Eastern NC including New Hanover County. She is based in New Bern. Tufana emailed the committee a list of needs and
provided her contact information, email address philisa.fowler@doa.nc.gov and her phone numbers 252.617.0177 (m ) and 252.514.4868 (w).
Discussion of Women’s Groups to be guest speakers – Kathryn Wandling, Chair
Kathryn shared that during the executive committee meeting there was a discussion concerning some comments by Women Organizing Women(WOW) on social media about the lack of diversity
on the committee. Sheila shared that we could reach out to women’s groups to make a presentation during our scheduled meetings. This would also enable us to build a resource manual/book.
Bridget Tarrant shared that she did make Women Organizing Women aware of the application process.
Bridget agreed that she would share an invitation for the League of Women Voters and to WOW to have a guest presentation tentatively for our September meeting. Jane agreed to reach out
to the Rotary groups and try to secure one group for our October meeting. There was a suggestion to have Linda Thompson the new Chief of Diversity and Equity Officer for NHC as a guest
but, Tufana shared that Linda will take her place as the county representative shortly after she is officially on board. Velva Jenkins also made a suggestion for consideration of the
YWCA’s, New Choices program for a future guest presentation. Other guest suggestions were A Safe Place, and GLOW. The committee will review invites at the next meeting as there are
targets for September and October.
Committee Assignments and Meeting Times – Kathryn Wandling, Chair
Committee assignments were discussed and based on individual interest the committees were filled as follows:
Empowerment & Opportunities for Women – Jane Birnbach, Kim Spader, Natosha Tew, Bhairavi Jengathan
Healthcare – Kristi Baker, Bridget Tarrant, Stephanie Robinson Johnson
Advocacy – Kathryn Wandling, Sheila Evans, Velva Jenkins
Committees were to determine their regular meeting times and inform Tufuna, who would send meeting invites. Committee members have to be official committee but, the community may participate.
Jeannie Lee, guest expressed interest in attending the Empowerment & Opportunities for Women committee and shared her contact information with that committee.
New Business - Kathryn Wandling, Chair
There was a reminder about an email previously sent to the committee for the July 30th League of Women Voters event. Velva stated that we should continue to look into resources for women
and shared a few words about the New Choices program at the YWCA which supports women in the Cape Fear area who are taking steps toward financial independence & self-sufficiency.
Public Comments – KathrynWandling, Chair
Kathryn asked for any comments from our guests. Hearing no response after a minute or so, the public comments were closed.
Adjourn – Meeting Adjourned by Kathryn at 5:01 p.m.
Next Meeting is August 26th, location to be determined due to COVID-19.