Commission on the Status of Women, Strictly Advisory, Closes a Year in Which Two of Its Recommendations Became City Practice

Pasadena’s Commission on the Status of Women has no authority to enact policy. Yet over the past fiscal year, two of its recommendations moved into city practice: the city administratively adopted California’s pay-equity pledge, and the City Council revised its candidate guide to require express consent before a resident’s name or street address can appear in campaign literature — a change the commission grounded in the safety of domestic-violence, stalking, and sexual-violence survivors.

Commissioners will memorialize that record Wednesday at the commission’s special annual meeting, where they are scheduled to approve a Report of Accomplishments for July 2025 through June 3, ratify their attendance record, set a draft work plan for the coming fiscal year, and elect officers for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. The commission is strictly advisory; its votes carry no binding force. The transmittal memo from the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department dated Aug. 24 states that “this report is submitted for information purposes only.” The City Council retains final authority over any policy the commission examines.

The commission’s mission, restated in the report, directs members to advise the Council “on the special needs and concerns of women of all ages, races, religions, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and economic and social circumstances,” and to “study and examine conditions which indicate discrimination or prejudice encountered by women.”

The year’s two most consequential outcomes both began as the commission’s own ad hoc work. According to the report, in March, Human Resources Department Director Tiffany Jacobs-Quinn informed the commission that the city would adopt the California Equal Pay Pledge administratively, “making a City Council vote unnecessary.” At the March 9 City Council meeting, the report says, Jacobs-Quinn “acknowledged and congratulated the City on adopting the Equal Pay Pledge,” and Commissioner Jennifer Thibault thanked the city and Vice Mayor Jess Rivas. The commission also successfully petitioned the city to recognize Equal Pay Day and to invite the commission to receive a proclamation on March 25.

The campaign-literature change has a different texture. According to the report, on Feb. 2, the City Council voted to adopt revised language in its voluntary candidate guide that incorporates the commission’s recommendation, “requiring express consent from community members before including their names or address information in campaign materials.” The commission had argued the prior practice “may pose risks to survivors of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual violence” — a rationale rooted in the same domestic-violence advocacy the commission elevated throughout the year.

That advocacy included a Sept. 30, 2025, listening session at the Robinson Park multipurpose room, with testimony from Tunisia Offray, co-founder of Shepherd’s Door Domestic Violence Center; Clarissa Goytia, SART coordinator at Peace Over Violence; and Debra Suh, CEO of YWCA Glendale/Pasadena. Separately, the commission approved a letter supporting expansion of the city’s safe parking program, which staff was directed to submit in advance of the March 9 City Council hearing on that proposal.

The commission’s annual HERstory event drew its program from “Lilly,” the feature film about Lilly Ledbetter. Held Saturday, March 14, at the Robinson Park Recreation Center, the program featured curated clips from the film and a panel moderated by Vice Chair Ziandry Peralta. Confirmed panelists were Jacobs-Quinn; Rachel Feldman, director of “Lilly”; and employment attorney Jeanette Labas. Vice Mayor Jess Rivas was confirmed to deliver opening remarks. Pasadena Federal Credit Union contributed $1,000 to offset costs. Ten community organizations were finalized for resource tables, including the League of Women Voters, Pasadenans Organizing for Progress, the Junior League of Pasadena, YWCA Glendale Pasadena, Pasadena City College, the Pasadena Job Center, Shepherd’s Door, Altadena Girls, and Planned Parenthood Pasadena. Commissioners also tabled at the Latino Heritage Celebration on Oct. 11, 2025, and at the Black History Festival on Feb. 21.

The work plan attached to the agenda is a blank template. The commission’s two ad hoc objectives this past year — “Advise and Inform Decision Makers” and “Strengthen Community Partnership and Engagement” — will be set fresh for Fiscal Year 2026-2027.

The attendance record across 10 meetings shows Chair Maura Harrington Roggero, who served the early months as Vice Chair under former Chair Vanessa F. Rodriguez, present at every one. Commissioner Luisa Ortega, the mayor’s appointee to the commission’s Mayor-designated seat, joined later in the year and attended all three of her meetings. Commissioners Thibault, Robin Allen, and Crystal Aceves each posted 90 percent attendance. Peralta attended 80 percent. Commissioner Jill Thompson recorded 60 percent, the lowest among continuing members. Former Commissioner María Castellón, who previously held the Mayor-designated seat, resigned Sept. 29, 2025. The District 4 seat is currently vacant.

The Commission on the Status of Women is scheduled to meet at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 3, at the Jackie Robinson Community Center, 1020 North Fair Oaks Avenue, in Pasadena. For more information call (626) 744-7925 or visit https://www.cityofpasadena.net/commissions/commission-on-the-status-of-women.