WOMEN FOR FERNANDEZ

Women for Fernandez is a group of progressive women from all walks of life that support Henrys candidacy. They support Henrys vision of establishing a model city that will work to not only tackle the problems that uniquely face women and girls, but also create an affirmative platform that makes it possible for them to flourish in their communities and reach their full potential. Henrys vision of One City recognizes that the vitality and well-being of residents of the city can only be accomplished if we work together to improve the status of women and girls. Henrys Platform According to a 2012 report titled The Status of Women and Girls in New Haven,1 women and girls in this city are vulnerable to challenges such as poverty, long-term economic insecurity, domestic violence, and specific adverse health conditions [They also] experience stubborn racial and ethnic disparities in opportunities and outcomes. Women are heads of households in 23% of homes in New Haven; they earn considerably less on average than men ($37,530 median annual earnings as compared with men, whose median annual earnings is $42,433) and a staggering 47% of those who have education levels below a high school diploma live in poverty.2 The racial dimensions of poverty among New Haven are also disturbing, with the percentages of poverty as follows: Latinas 43%; African American 30%; Whites 17%; Asian American 19%. As a city, we can and must do better to improve the status of women.

The Status of Women and Girls in New Haven, Connecticut by Cynthia Hess, Ph.D., Rhiana Gunn-Wright, Claudia Williams (August 2012) 2 Id at 2.

Drawing on the findings from the 2012 report on Women and Girls, Henry has created the following platform on womens issues: Employment, Earnings and Economic Security Henry will work to advance and support policies and practices among employers that encourage the hiring of women in full-time, steady jobs; their promotion to leadership positions in the workplace and the existence of gender friendly policies that make it possible for women to thrive and advance in the workplace. He will also make sure that women-owned businesses are well-represented in the companies that the city contracts with. If elected mayor, he will assemble a task force that will be assigned with looking at best practices and making city-specific recommendations that his administration will then work to implement. Henry supports developing mechanisms for New Haven employers to put in place to ensure that there is wage equity and an end to wage disparities between men and women in New Haven. Quality child care is essential for working women's economic success. Access to safe, affordable, quality child care makes it possible for women to enter and remain in the workforce. Henry will support and elevate efforts to ensure that high quality and affordable child care options exist for all working families.

Health and Well Being New Haven residents suffer[ ] from pronounced racial and ethnic health disparities evidence also suggests that certain chronic diseasessuch as heart disease, diabetes, and strokedisproportionately affect the citys black and Hispanic women.3 As Mayor, Henry will create a health initiative aimed at eliminating the existing (health) disparities that disproportionately affect women of color in the city. He will work to ensure that there are public/private partnerships aimed at improving the health of all women in the city. He will make health care more accessible by encouraging the provision of community based services in neighborhoods that are lacking, including community fairs that offer health screenings, education and mammograms among other things. Henry will also work with child and health care advocates as well as school officials to develop a comprehensive program that will seek to eliminate childhood obesity and provide safe spaces for girls to be physically active in their neighborhoods. Crime and Safety
3

Ibid (1) at 54.

Women especially low-income women in New Haven are more likely to be victims of rape and domestic violence. Henry will work with city agencies, including the New Haven Police Department and the Department of Public Health to ensure that there are gender-specific initiatives aimed at eliminating violence against women and girls and creating safe neighborhoods, such as public education forums about domestic violence and acquaintance rape; self- defense classes for women and safehouses for women and children escaping from abusive situations. Henry will also make sure that women and girls feel safe in public spaces and will work to eliminate gender based street harassment. Leadership and Representation in City Government As Economic Development Administrator, Henry worked to ensure that women including women of color were appointed to senior level positions within the Office of Economic Development. As mayor, Henry is committed to ensuring that women are represented in leadership positions and proportionately across city government. More broadly, Henry will work to elevate and support programs that undergird womens ability to advance personally and professionally, including quality, affordable child care; access to education; affordable housing; safe communities and job training that is matched to growing career fields in New Haven. Creation of a New Haven Commission on the Status of Women Henry will create a blue ribbon commission on the Status of Women in New Haven to ensure that these policy positions are effectively implemented across the city.

WOMEN FOR FERNANDEZ The following women support Henrys candidacy for Mayor of New Haven, support his platform and are members of Women for Fernandez:

Elizabeth Alexander Adriana Arreola Keisha Blake Magaly Cajigas Anne Calabresi Alicia Camacho Pansy Coote Iris Diaz Louise Endel Kathy Engel Crystal Feimster Megan Fountain Norma Franceschi Patrice Gaines

Miriam Gohara Robin Golden Sophia Golden LaShawn Jefferson Nicole Jefferson Helen Kauder Vivien Labaton Ann Langdon Sandy Malmquist Esther Massie Kica Matos Patricia McCann Tracey Meares Ali Miller

Nilda Martinez Nilda Morales Ify Nwokoye Anaika Ocasio Sandra Pittman Buny Poitier Lorella Praelli Wanda Sweat Sandra Trevino Janna Wagner Vesla Weaver Regina Winters