Connecticut General Assembly

PCSWNewsPermanent Commission on the Status of Women December 2011

Permanent Commission on the Status of Women18-20 Trinity St., Hartford, CT 06106

www.cga.ct.gov/pcsw 860/240-8300; Fax: 860/240-8314

Meet the CommissionerLucia Aschettino

More than 100 women (and a few More than 100 women (and a few men) gathered Nov. 16 in the Legisla-men) gathered Nov. 16 in the Legisla-tive Offi ce Building for a training ses-tive Offi ce Building for a training ses-sion co-sponsored by the Connecticut sion co-sponsored by the Connecticut Coaltion Against Domestic Violence, Coaltion Against Domestic Violence, the General Federation of Women’s the General Federation of Women’s Clubs - CT Chapter, and the PCSW. Clubs - CT Chapter, and the PCSW. Participants learned about the legisla-Participants learned about the legisla-tive process, advocating for issues, testi-tive process, advocating for issues, testi-fying before legislative committees, and fying before legislative committees, and working with lobbyists. Left: Panelists working with lobbyists. Left: Panelists State Reps. Penny Bacchiochi (R-52) State Reps. Penny Bacchiochi (R-52) and Betsy Ritter (D-38). Other panel-and Betsy Ritter (D-38). Other panel-ists were Reps. Lonnie Reed (D-102) ists were Reps. Lonnie Reed (D-102) and Mae Flexer (D-44). Diane Smith and Mae Flexer (D-44). Diane Smith moderated. Below, members of the CT moderated. Below, members of the CT Chapter of the General Federation of Chapter of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs pose in the LOB lobby. Women’s Clubs pose in the LOB lobby.

ConnGAP Report: More Progress Needed in Political Parity

The PCSW’s Connecticut Government Appointments Project (ConnGAP) Report, released on Nov. 15, was met by a mixture of praise and criticism. Widely covered in the press (see links

below) the report called to light the fact that in the administration of Gov. Dannel Malloy, 34.4% of those positions identifi ed by ConnGAP were fi lled by women as of Nov. 1. Th is is approximately 3% fewer than during the Rell Administration. (During his gubernatorial campaign, Gov. Dannel Malloy voluntarily signed the ConnGAP pledge to make his best eff ort to name women to 50% of about 75 identifi ed high-level, paid appointments within his Executive Branch.)

Shortly after the release of the report, the Governor’s offi ce responded by citing the names of two women (Deb Heinrich, non-profi t liaison, and Jeanette DeJesus, special advisor on heath care) not included in PCSW’s report. Th ese appointments, while important, were not statu-torily defi ned, nor would their inclusion have changed the percentage. Signifi cantly, if we were to include these positions, we would also have to include all similar posts to which men were appointed, as ConnGAP measures the percentage of male-to-female appointments.

“Our intent was not to disparage the Governor, nor to advocate for patronage posts, as some news reports have implied,” said PCSW Excecutive Director Teresa Younger. “Our aim, per our mandate, was to promote wom-en for consideration for leadership positions. To that end, we supplied the Governor with a large notebook full of highly qualifi ed women willing to serve in his administration. We believe fi rmly that any governing body benefi ts from diverse opinions, and that widening the circle of talent necessarily widens perspective.”

To be sure, Malloy has appointed several women to lead State agencies, including Dr. Jewell Mullen, Dept. of Public Health, and Judge Joette Katz, Dept. of Children and Families, both of whom came to the Gover-nor’s attention through ConnGAP. Additionally, Gov. Malloy appointed (or reappointed): Catherine Smith,

Dept. of Economic Development; Melody Currey, Dept. of Motor Vehicles; Linda Roberts, Connecticut Siting Council; Elin Katz, Offi ce of Consumer Counsel; Jane Ciarleglio, Offi ce of Financial and Academic Aff airs for Higher Education; Victoria Veltri, Offi ce of Healthcare Advocate; Patricia Rehmer, Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction Services; and Linda Schwartz, Dept. of Veterans Aff airs.

Some press reports implied that PCSW was promoting its own inner circle of friends. However, the bi-partisan ConnGAP Executive Search Committee, working with a non-partisan coalition of more than 80 organizations, considered the resumes of more than 100 women and selected about 60.

“Studies have shown that having a critical mass of women in a decision-making body – whether it’s a corpora-tion or a government – helps turn the curve on systemic change needed to address issues aff ecting women and families,” Younger said. “We believe the people who lead State agencies should more accurately refl ect the make-up of those they serve, 51% of whom are women. If PCSW doesn’t ask this vital question, who will?”

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ConnGAP Coverage CTMirror.com CT News Junkie.com WSHU Radio The Hartford Courant The New Haven Register The Journal Inquirer Republican-American

CCADV, PCSW and GFWC-CT Hold Policy Training

Civic Engagement = Healthy SocietyCheck out the 2011 Connecticut Civic Health Index, a new report which looks at key indicators of a vital society. Produced jointly by Everyday Democracy, the CT Secretary of the State’s Offi ce and the National Conference on Citizenship. And click HERE to watch a CT-N video of “Renewing Our Democracy: What Connecticut Can Be,” held Nov. 14 at the Old State House with Secretary of the State Denise Merrill, PCSW’s Teresa Younger and other community leaders.

Commissioner Lucia Aschettino was ap-pointed to the PCSW in 2010 by House Minority Leader Lawrence Cafero.

Aschettino, who holds an MBA from the University of New Haven, as well as certifi cates from the Wharton School and Harvard Busi-ness School, has considerable expertise in using technology and e-business methods to improve strategic planning, customer service, delivery systems and communications. She is Director of Internet Strategy at InFrontWeb.com, a full-service marketing fi rm based in Connecticut.

She has served in management positions for such corporations as Pitney Bowes and New Haven Savings Bank (currently known as First Niagra). Lucia has been a Public Industry Ar-bitrator (FINRA) since 1997 and served on the board of the State of Connecticut Professional Teachers Continuing Standards. From 1994 to 1997, she was a volunteer business consul-tant with Junior Achievement teaching young people how business works. She has taught as an adjunct teacher in Albertus Magnus Col-lege’s New Dimensions Program.

Aschettino, who is in the process of becoming a mentor with the international women’s Global Give Back Circle program, is committed to developing women’s leadership.

“I agree that ‘we need not just a new generation of leadership, but a new gender of leadership,’” she says. “I’m passionate about gender equality issues -- whether it be pay equity or women serving in top leadership positions in state, federal and corporate arenas. I feel we are mak-ing defi nite forward movement in these areas, but there is still more opportunity to fi ll the gap between men and women.”

Girl Scouts Honor Dr. Elsa NunezTh e Girl Scouts of Connecticut Th e Girl Scouts of Connecticut honored Dr. Elsa Nunez, presi-honored Dr. Elsa Nunez, presi-dent of Eastern Connecticut State dent of Eastern Connecticut State University, at their annual Break-University, at their annual Break-fast Badge event on Dec. 2. In fast Badge event on Dec. 2. In photo above (left to right): PCSW photo above (left to right): PCSW Executive Director Teresa Younger, Executive Director Teresa Younger, Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, Dr. Elsa Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, Dr. Elsa Nunez and Girl Scouts CEO Jen-Nunez and Girl Scouts CEO Jen-nifer Smith Turner. Younger is presi-nifer Smith Turner. Younger is presi-dent of the board of Girl Scouts, dent of the board of Girl Scouts, which represents 46,000 girls in which represents 46,000 girls in Connecticut. Connecticut. Photo by Barbara Connors.Photo by Barbara Connors.

Happy Holidays!

Make Your Voice HeardTh e Family Child Care Working Group is holding an open comment period to seek input from the public on the need for collective bar-gaining for family childcare workers. Come to the Capitol on January 10th, from 7 to 9 p.m.