Group Helps Chattanooga Women

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) — A group in Chattanooga is working to make a difference for women in the community.

The Mayor’s Council for Women was created about two years ago.

Members tell News 12 even though they’ve accomplished a lot so far, they still have a long way to go.

“Unity is power,” said Donna Christian Lowe, economic development committee. “When you bring women together, and they’re all focused on one goal, we can make things happen.”

The Council for Women was launched to help solve problems, and make women’s lives better.

“Over 200 of us are having a voice and studying issues, and coming with cogent, clear policy recommendations to the administration, to Mayor Berke, for making changes where we can in our city,” said Dr. Carol Berz, Council for Women co-chair.

The council looks at a wide range of women’s issues – from education to leadership, but its main focus is economic opportunity, which Berz says touches every issue.

“It’s equal pay. It’s equal access to jobs. It’s equal access to education. This isn’t glass ceiling stuff,” Berz said. “This is really about getting the quality education and the quality childcare and the transportation, so that you can get whatever you need to become a bread winner.”

The group was even behind the city of Chattanooga’s family friendly workplace initiative.

“If you look at the percentages of women leading households. If you look at the percentage of women who are in the workplace now, if you don’t have a family friendly workplace initiative, you’re going to lose them eventually. You’re probably not going to get the quality work. They’re just more invested when there’s a family friendly workplace,” Lowe said.

The group also helped pass a bill in the Tennessee legislature earlier this year to help domestic violence victims.

“It used to be that when there was domestic violence in a home, a woman could get evicted from her home, even if she was the victim, and we changed that,” Berz said.

Group members say it’s important to get involved to open doors for other women, and make a difference.

“When women are empowered, when they’re economically viable, the whole entire family and then the community does better,” said Nicola Crisp, education committee.

Information on how to get involved with the Council For Women is here: http://connect.chattanooga.gov/councilforwomen/.