History

The State of Mississippi Commission on the Status of Women was created in 2001 by the Mississippi Legislature under House Bill 797 which provides for four commissioners to be appointed by the Governor and three each to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House, and the Attorney General. All commissioners serve in a voluntary capacity and are active in other groups that are involved in issues of concern to women.

Vision Statement

The vision of the Mississippi Commission on the Status of Women is the improvement of the overall quality of life of women, specifically in the areas of education, health, economics, political participation, and race relations.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Mississippi Commission on the Status of Women is to assess and influence policies and practices that affect women through an inclusive, collaborative process. The Commission serves by administering and supporting; collecting and disseminating information; and recommending policies to public and private groups and persons.

The mission is undergirded by the beliefs that:

• All persons regardless of gender should have unobstructed access to opportunities to realize the quality of life to which they and their families aspire.
• No person should be denied the opportunity to succeed and make positive contributions to society.

Duties

In accordance with the legislation under which it was created, the Mississippi Commission on the Status of Women is empowered to:

• Conduct research and study issues affecting the status of women;
• Advise and consult with the executive and legislative branches of government;
• Publish periodic reports documenting the status and concerns of women;
• Act as an information center on the status of women;
• Serve as a liaison between government, private interest groups, and the general public regarding the status of women;
• Recommend policies and make recommendations to public and private groups and persons concerned with any issue related to improving the status of women;
• Promote consideration of qualified women for all levels of government positions;
• Assess programs and practices in state agencies as to how they affect women; and
• Report annually to the Governor and the Legislature on the Commission's activities and findings.