Special Notice / Hearing: None
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Noelia Corzo, District 2
Supervisor Ray Mueller, District 3
Subject: Appointments to the Commission on the Status of Women
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation for appointments to the Commission on the Status of Women:
A) Julissa Acosta, for an initial full term ending December 31, 2026; and
B) Susan Takalo, for an initial full term ending December 31, 2026; and
C) Aysha Pamukcu, for an initial full term ending December 31, 2026; and
D) Jess Hudson, for an initial partial term ending December 31, 2024; and
E) La Saundra Gutter, for an initial partial term ending December 31, 2024.
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BACKGROUND:
The Commission is charged with the responsibility of assessing the needs of women, girls and families in the County. It acts as a resource and makes recommendations to the Board of Supervisors annually.
DISCUSSION:
Julissa Acosta, Susan Takalo, and Aysha Pamukcu are each being recommended to serve their first full terms on the commission for seats vacated by Christine Padilla, Kelly Keele, and Karen Pyles. Jess Hudson and La Saundra Gutter are each being recommended for existing partial terms ending December 2024 for seats vacated by Dana Linda and Marguerite Machen who have resigned mid-term.
Julissa Acosta was inspired by the 2022 Women’s Hall of Fame and decided to apply to the Commission on the Status of Women because of this event. She has lived on the coast and in Half Moon Bay for over 22 years and has found that women of color are usually behind in growth and development opportunities. She would like to provide more representation from the coast on the CSW and also meet others with the same interests and passion.
Susan Takalo has lived on the coast for many years and has recently relocated to Half Moon Bay with her wife. She will be retiring in June of 2023 from Second Harvest Food Bank and looks forward to dedicating more time to empowering women and girls. She also volunteers on the San Mateo County Pride Initiative and is an active member of the San Mateo County Pride Center and CoastPride.
Aysha Pamukcu resides in South San Francisco and is a life-long resident of the County (born in Redwood City). Aysha is the Director of the Policy Fund at the San Francisco Foundation and has seen first-hand how lack of housing has impacted women. She looks forward to working on equity issues and giving back to the San Mateo County community.
Jess Hudson is a resident of Millbrae and a life-long resident of San Mateo County. She has 10 years of lived experience as a low-income single mother who has experienced domestic violence. She currently works for the United Way Bay Area as a Policy Specialist and has passion for issues specific to women and families.
La Saundra Gutter is recently retired after working for the County of San Mateo Youth Services Center, specifically with girls, for most of her career. She and her family live in Pacifica and she is eager to volunteer her time on the Commission on the Status of Women.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.