Los Angeles, CA — Kellie Hawkins is one busy woman.
Hawkins, 30, is the executive director of the Los Angeles City Commission on the Status of Women, a city organization that offers resources and shapes policy issues affecting women.
“We primarily focus on the economic empowerment of women,” said Hawkins. “My job is to increase the relevance of women’s issues and keep them at the forefront of pressing policy issues, such as workforce and career development, education, health, and personal and public safety.”
Hawkins was appointed executive director in September 2008 by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
“We also educate women on issues that are important to their well being such as access to health care and social services. We also advocate for policy changes within city government.” Hawkins added that the Commission advises the mayor and city council on state and federal initiatives affecting women.
Networking with local workforce centers and trade schools, Hawkins said that the Commission is also involved with placing women into nontraditional careers such as in the utility and electrical sectors as well as the building trades.
With the economic meltdown greatly impacting Southern Californians, Hawkins said that women have been calling the Commission for more basic needs. “We’ve been getting an increased amount of calls regarding domestic violence, where to find shelter, and requests for food and clothing,” Hawkins said.
The Commission on the Status of Women can be contacted at (213) 978-0300.
