S.J. women’s commission seeks recognition from government

STOCKTON — Feminist Beverly Fitch McCarthy was in her 60s the last time a local women’s commission sought formal government recognition.

McCarthy is now 84, and she’s still waiting for that recognition.

It’s time to ask again, she said this week.

“What we’re doing is right,” McCarthy said.

She’s speaking of the San Joaquin County Commission on the Status of Women, probably best known for hosting the annual Susan B. Anthony Awards, which have honored more than 400 women for their community achievements since the 1970s.

In seeking formal sponsorship by San Joaquin County, the commission hopes to gain more clout with decision-makers, improve coordination between local nonprofits and the government, and make it clear to everyone that issues facing women are a priority in this county.

“It’s just to ensure equality of rights and opportunities for all women, to empower women and also to provide a unified voice for women’s issues,” said McCarthy, who has led the commission since its founding 43 years ago. "It’s time,” she said. The proposal for formal recognition will be discussed at the supervisors’ meeting on Tuesday. A similar proposal failed in 2001. At least one supervisor at the time cited cost concerns.

But 2001 was a long time ago.

Locally, the Board of Supervisors is no longer comprised solely of men. Nationally, hundreds of women are reportedly running for elected office, prompting some media to refer to 2018 as the “year of women.” The #metoo movement, in particular, has elevated women’s concerns.

But commission members point to data from the California Budget & Policy Center as evidence that there is still a long way to go in San Joaquin County. In an assessment of the wellbeing of women here, San Joaquin ranks 37th out of the 58 counties. The study considers issues like rates of employment, safety, food security, and participation in local government.

As of 2014, women accounted for 50.1 percent of the population but only 38 percent of school board membership and 16 percent of school board membership — both among the worst rankings in the state.

"The fact that I am the first elected female in this body since the 1980s is a clear demonstration that we can do better,” county Supervisor Kathy Miller said in December, after members of the women’s commission formally asked county officials to study the matter.

A staff report prepared in advance of Tuesday’s meeting warns that giving the commission formal recognition would “require a significant amount of staff time for the creation.” The report does not estimate what the overall cost might be.

The commission is not asking for any direct funding, McCarthy said.

County officials estimate that 17 of the 58 counties in California have similar women’s commissions. Of those, 15 are formally recognized by county supervisors.

If supervisors decide to move forward, the commission should be encouraged to gain formal nonprofit designation in order to be accountable to future donors that might want to support it, county staff add.

While Fitch McCarthy has been at the forefront of these issues for decades, younger women are also speaking out in favor of greater representation. Zuleima Flores Abid, chapter director of the Stockton Younger Women’s Task Force, recently wrote that young people are looking to settle in cities that understand the benefits women bring to a community.

“San Joaquin County officials have an incredible opportunity before them to demonstrate how much they value the women who have built our communities and their desire to attract and retain talented young women in our county. We hope they take it in 2018,” she wrote.