Monroe County Women's Commission

The Monroe County Women's Commission serves in an advisory role to assist residents, businesses, and the government of Monroe County in addressing issues of gender equity in all aspects of society. The mission is to advance the status of women in all areas of county life and to champion women’s contributions to local culture and society.

The MCWC held its first meeting on August 26, 2011, which was also the ninety-first anniversary of the passing of the ninetheenth amendment granting women the right to vote. The MCWC is the first commission for women established by a county government in the state of Indiana. A working group that included, among others, Julie Thomas, member of the Monroe County Council, and Sophia Travis, proposed and lobbied for the establishment of this commission. Travis was the first chair of the commission. Members of the commission are appointed by the Monroe County Board of Commissioners and the Monroe County Council. Membership includes a representative from Indiana University and a liaison from the City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women. Meetings are held the second Friday of each month in the Monroe County Courthouse, Room 310 (Human Resources) Conference Room, from 12:00 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. The public is welcome.