Commission for Women

Welcome to the Miami-Dade County Commission For Women website!

What a privilege it is to be asked to introduce you to the Miami-Dade County Commission for Women!  Since the creation of the commission by the Board of County Commissioners, our members have been dedicated to helping women and girls in Miami-Dade County.  We are the advisory board to the Board of County Commissioners and the County Administration regarding all matters that affect the status of women.

Each member of this diverse group of dedicated volunteers serves in a multitude of leadership roles in the communities in which they live and work.  Their continuing mission is to help women and girls in such ways as:

• Promoting economic, social, legal, and political equality.
  This includes monitoring and supporting legislation that impacts women, promoting gender equality in the workplace, and advocating for equal representation in public decision-making bodies.  Commission members are an active voice in the media and with legislators to endorse equal rights and economic empowerment.  Health care issues and health care rights unique to women have been a important focus.  We identify areas of concern and sensitize community leaders to the struggles women currently face.  The commission is particularly proud of its great success in working with members of the legal community to improve the child support enforcement system and help low-income mothers.

• Recognizing and celebrating the achievements of women in Miami-Dade County.
  A beautiful statue in honor of Julia Tuttle, widely recognized as the only woman founder of a major American city, proudly stands in Bayfront park largely due to commission efforts.  The commission further celebrates women's achievements by presenting an annual educational display at the Stephen P. Clark Government Center.  This year the display will include "women firsts" and will commemorate the role of women in the 500 year anniversary of the discovery of Florida.  In March of 2013, the commission will co-present the 2013 "In the Company of Women" awards reception, which also honors outstanding women in Miami-Dade for their accomplishments.

• Advocating for and supporting programs that address the needs of women and girls who are homeless, impoverished, low wage workers, elderly, victims of domestic violence, and victims of human trafficking.
  Regular and successful collaboration with local agencies and organizations has resulted in significant assistance to disadvantaged and "at-risk" women and girls.  We conduct holiday gift drives for worthy organizations such as the Chapman Partnership, and participate in outreach programs on women's health such as the Florida Breast Health Initiative.  A current project is to obtain a County initiative to require that county buildings post signs in restrooms to provide hotline numbers for those in need of help with domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking problems.

These are just a few examples of how the dedicated members of the commission have led the way in making such a big difference in the lives of women and girls.  Personally, I am very humbled to be associated with this phenomenal organization and, it is with heartfelt gratitude, that I serve as the 2012 Chair of the Miami-Dade Commission For Women.

Sincerely, 
Michelle Dunaj Lucking

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The Company of Women Celebrates 25 Years

The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade, in partnership with the Miami-Dade County Commission for Women and Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces, is seeking to honor outstanding Miami-Dade women for the 25th Annual In the Company of Women Awards Ceremony to be held in March 2013.

• Read the release