by Commissioner Thelma V. Crump

Summer 2006

My name is Thelma Crump, and I am a newly-appointed Commissioner with the Florida Commission on the Status of Women (FCSW or Commission). I was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush in October 2005, and I am pleased to be a part of this Commission that represents millions of  Florida women. Since my appointment, I have been asked by many of you, what is the FCSW?  What do we do? What type of services do we offer?  I’d like to share with you a few facts and describe some of our activities.

The FCSW is a non-partisan board, statutorily created by the Florida Legislature in 1991, consisting of 22 appointed members. The Commission is administratively housed in the Attorney General’s Office, and Commissioners live in Tallahassee and across the state. We come from a variety of backgrounds and careers. The Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, and the Attorney General each appoint four members, and the Chief Financial Officer and the Commissioner of Agriculture each appoint three members for a term of four years. Commissioners can also be appointed to fill a term that becomes vacant. Commissioners can be re-appointed and may serve up to eight consecutive years.

The mission of the FCSW is to empower women from all walks of life to achieve their fullest potential, eliminating barriers to that achievement, and recognizing women’s accomplishments. Our vision is for Florida to be a state in which women are able to achieve their full potential uninhibited by gender-related barriers, and to be appropriately compensated and recognized for having done so.

Generally, the full Commission meets quarterly at different locations within the state. Discussion topics for the quarterly meetings usually originate in committees. During our first quarterly meeting for 2006 in Tallahassee, the FCSW formed a new committee – the Public Outreach Task Force – to focus on public outreach and to increase awareness about the FCSW. Our goal is to provide you with more information on the issues the Commission oversees and provide leadership in the areas we have access to. As proven leaders today, we on the FCSW have been commissioned to develop our future women leaders – our women leaders of tomorrow – while recognizing those who’ve served before us.

The FCSW is involved in many leadership activities and produces specific publications to promote leadership and to empower Florida’s women. We also sponsor conferences throughout the state focusing on money management and investment strategies. The FCSW administers the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame, an event held annually in March at the Capitol Rotunda that honors three Florida women for their leadership and accomplishments. We host several conferences and programs such as, “Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day,” which offers opportunities for girls and boys to see what adults in their lives do during the work day. We also sponsor the Florida Achievement Award, an award that recognizes women and men who have served as role models for women and girls in their communities and have improved the lives of Florida women. It is important for more women to assume positions of leadership, so young women see decision makers and “movers and shakers” who look like them.

Every year the Commission publishes an annual report which highlights important studies on prevention by intervention for such issues as domestic violence, women’s athletics, women’s health care, Florida’s women public officials, women’s history education in Florida’s public schools, and Florida’s women in business.

Through my appointment, the Governor has entrusted me to help lead this already thriving commission by listening and communicating with you. All of us on the Commission would probably have different answers when asked about our leadership qualities. My answer would be leading, guiding and directing. I am encouraging women in Florida to lead, but also to serve in their communities. It’s through service that we begin to learn how best to use our skills to lead others. I find that as a woman, maybe I can encourage other women to choose my career path or a field they desire, or to further enhance their chosen career. This is an opportunity I take seriously as a Commissioner.

I invite you to take advantage of what the FCSW has to offer and explore our opportunities by calling us at 850-414-3300. You may also call or e-mail us at info@fcsw.net to request copies of our free publications and possibly nominate someone you know for one of our quarterly or yearly achievement awards.