Massachusetts. Governor's Office on Women's Issues.

The Governor's Commission on the Status of Women was established by Executive Order no. 81, June 3, 1971, by Governor Francis Sargent. The commission consisted of thirty-five members appointed by the governor for one-year terms, representing business, government, labor, education, the health professions, and social welfare services. Executive office members included the commissioners of administration, community affairs, labor and industries, public health, mental health, public welfare, commerce and development, and education; the directors of the divisions of civil service and employment security; and the chairman of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. The committee was formed to survey and evaluate all statutes of the Commonwealth and all governmental programs and practices relating to the employment, health, education, and welfare of women in Massachusetts and to make recommendations to the governor for any changes in these deemed necessary. In addition it was to investigate the need for new and expanded services required for women as wives, mothers, and workers, including education, counseling, training and retraining, home services, and arrangement for the care of children of working mothers. The appointive membership was expanded to forty in 1972 (Exec Order 92).

By Executive Order no. 119, August 6, 1975, Governor Michael Dukakis revoked previous orders and established a new commission of the same name to include in its membership the commissioner of youth services. In this order he also called for the commission to attempt to have its recommendations enacted into law and to see that such enacted legislation be implemented. Provision was made for the commission to use the personnel resources of the Commonwealth to educate the citizens and elected and appointed officials concerning women's issues.

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