The City of Chattanooga Mayor's Council for Women will be hosting a Statewide Women's Policy Conference on Friday, Feb. 9 at the Westin Chattanooga. The mission of the all-day conference is to bring together women from across the state of Tennessee to learn about current legislation affecting women's lives and to inspire new policy initiatives that will impact their future.
"The Council for Women is advancing families across Tennessee by removing barriers that keep people from leading the life of their choosing.
By having more women involved in developing policy, we can ensure legislation reflects the needs of women in Chattanooga and across our state," said Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke.
In its third year of operation, the Mayor's Council for Women has a goal to impact public and private policy affecting women relative to the areas of education, health, leadership, history, justice, and economic opportunity.
The Statewide Women's Policy Conference is offered in response to the Tennessee report card on the Status of Women by the Institute for Women's Policy Research, Washington, D.C.
Tennessee Report Card Summary
Political Participation: D-
Employment & Earnings: C-
Work & Family: D
Poverty & Opportunity: D
Reproductive Rights: D-
Health & Well-Being: D-
"The time has come for women across the State to take responsibility for the policy decisions that impact them and their families. This conference is another way the Mayor's Council is bringing women together to discuss genuine solutions to the real problems facing all women", says Councilwoman Carol Berz, conference chair.
"Women in Tennessee have made considerable advances in recent years but still face inequities that often prevent them from reaching their full potential in their personal, professional and political lives. Participants of the conference will examine topics that include economic self-sufficiency, increased political awareness and engagement, issues of health and well-being, and work/family challenges," officials said.
The Statewide Women's Policy Conference will begin at 7:30am on Feb. 9. The Mayor’s Council for Women invites women from across the state of Tennessee, including students, to attend. Topics will be centered around personal engagement, as well as political and professional empowerment. Participants will have the opportunity to hear from local vendors and organizations about resources for women in the Chattanooga community. To learn more, visit
bit.ly/womenspolicyconference.