Pasadena Status of Women’s Commission to Host Glendale Officials for Gender Equity, Equal Pay Presentation

The Pasadena Commission on the Status of Women is set to convene on September 4 for its regular meeting at the Jackie Robinson Community Center. The gathering will feature presentations on gender equity initiatives and the criminal justice system’s approach to domestic violence.

Diane Lambillotte, Chair of the Glendale Commission on the Status of Women, will lead a presentation on their recent report detailing the status of women and girls in Glendale. The report covers various aspects including demographics, education, employment, poverty rates, health, safety, and leadership roles for women in the city.

Suzie Abajian, Ph.D., Glendale City Clerk, and Sophia Armen, Ph.D., from the City of Glendale will join Lambillotte to discuss the California Equal Pay Pledge.

This initiative, which Glendale recently joined, aims to address gender pay disparities through annual analyses and policy reviews.

The meeting will also feature a presentation from Robin Allen, Deputy District Attorney for Los Angeles County. Allen will discuss the criminal justice system’s approach to domestic violence and programs available for crime victims.

Commission members are scheduled to review and approve the allocation of their fiscal year 2024-2025 budget. This discussion will shape the financial resources available for the commission’s initiatives and operations in the coming year.

Updates to the commission’s Work Plan and Presentation Calendar for September 2024 are also on the agenda. These documents guide the commission’s activities and future presentations, ensuring a structured approach to addressing women’s issues in Pasadena.

The public is invited to attend the meeting in person at the Jackie Robinson Community Center. Those unable to attend can request meeting materials in alternative formats or with disability-related modifications by contacting the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department.

Language translation services are available upon request, with at least 72 hours’ notice. The commission encourages public participation and offers various ways for community members to engage with the meeting’s content and discussions.

This meeting comes as cities across California, including Glendale, are taking steps to address gender inequities. Glendale recently joined San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, San Diego, Long Beach, Fresno, and Santa Barbara in signing the California Equal Pay Pledge.

The Glendale report, which will be presented, highlights several key findings about women in their community. It notes that women make up 51% of Glendale’s population, with 62,600 white women not of Hispanic origin comprising 61% of all women.

The report also indicates that 37,700 Armenian women make up 60% of white women or 36% of all women in Glendale. Educational attainment among Glendale women shows improvement, with 28% holding bachelor’s degrees and 15% having graduate or professional degrees.

However, poverty rates remain a concern, especially among Latina women at 26% and Armenian women at 23%. In leadership roles, Glendale has seen progress with women comprising 43% of elected officials and 42% of boards and commissions members.

The business sector shows 40% of incorporated businesses are owned by women, an increase from previous years. The Glendale Commission’s work is guided by its mission to advance social justice and equity for all women and girls in Glendale.

The commission operates through several ad hoc committees, focusing on evaluation and assessment, policy development, advocacy and advising, and education, awareness and outreach. These efforts align with their strategic aims to create a city where women’s potential enriches the entire community.