This week’s Reported By Women dives into the political world of Cincinnati and the women that run it. Team member Abbey Bruce and her daughter Mackenzie traveled to the Hamilton County Commission on Women and Girls Public Forum to hear 21 community leaders discuss ideas to empower and support women and share what they had to say with us.

The Hamilton County Commission on Women and Girls Public Forum

Reporting by Abbey and Mackenzie Bruce. Photography by Angie Lipscomb.

The Hamilton County Commission on Women and Girls held a public discussion at Walnut Hills High School on July 19. I was able to share the experience with my 12-year-old daughter, Mackenzie. This was a night for the teams within the commission to present the work they had accomplished over the last year to the community.

Mackenzie’s take:

The Hamilton County Commission on Women and Girls was very inspiring; it allowed women and girls of all ages to relate to each other in some way. The commission talked about a variety of different subjects such as pay inequality, not being heard, and keeping women safe. The numbers they presented on violence against women were shocking. They offered suggestions for how girls can get involved in their schools and communities. It is important to raise awareness and to help solve the problems.

Abbey's take:

The auditorium at Walnut Hills High School was packed with a diverse crowd spanning all ages, genders, and races. Five groups spoke on the topics of promoting women to leadership, empowerment, and holistic support. Speakers of all ages represented each group and added layers to the various discussions. It was clear the commission wanted to create open dialogue and celebrate the women and girls facing these issues in Hamilton County. Throughout the day, a common concept showed up in every conversation: that raising awareness is the walk, but influencing change in legislation is the hike.

Raising awareness is the walk, but influencing change in legislation is the hike.

The commission is taking a holistic approach to taking care of women. They stressed that we need to ensure women feel safe, empowered, and represented in the community. During the presentation on safety for women and girls, the members discussed efforts to provide education for girls and boys on domestic violence, support for reporting crimes, and care for those who have been victims of violence. The goal was to make sure this support is available and accessible to several neighborhoods. There are also initiatives to connect mentors to young women who are our future leaders: They want to encourage women to use their voices from the playground to the boardroom. Additionally, the commission encourages girls to create supportive groups within their schools to help each other meet goals, tackle challenges, and lift each other up.