HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0992.014 2018-2020COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY`OF HAWAII
RECRIVED
Time 60 0,K BY
Date JUL 0'8 2020
Mele U. Spencer
961 Auwae Road, Hilo, HI 96720
Dear Chair Chung and Councilmembers,
July 8, 2020
Thank you for this opportunity to provide testimony for the July 8, 2020 Meeting of the Hawaii
County Council. My name is Mele Spencer and I am a resident of District 3. 1 am writing to express my
strong support for Resolution 680-20 introduced by Councilwoman Kierkiewicz and Councilwoman
Poindexter, which supports and urges equity, inclusion, and social and economic justice principles into
COVID-19 related recovery initiatives for Hawaii County.
am retired from the federal government and am currently a member of the Hawaii County
Committee on the Status of Women (CSW) where I have been a member since 2012. During this time,
have served as chair, treasurer and I am currently serving as corresponding secretary. I am also a
member of the Zonta Club of Hilo and from 2016-2018 served as Governor for Zonta International,
District 9 where our mission is to be a leading global organization of professionals empowering women
worldwide through service and advocacy.
For the 8.5 years that I have been a member of the CSW, I have volunteered my time to attend
monthly meetings that rotate around Hawaii Island and participated on the following sub -committees:
Teen Dating Violence Prevention, Real Women Creative Writing Competition, Legislative Advocacy and
Hawaii Island Women's Leadership Forum, and Nominating Committee. In 2018, 1 had the pleasure of
representing our CSW at the 48th annual National Association of Commissions for Women (NACW)
conference, Cities Leading Women, in Los Angeles, California. Due to my participation with the above
mentioned organizations, I have developed a network with colleagues sharing the same passion on
other islands and in several other states.
Hawaii County is fortunate to have so many individuals and organizations who care deeply
about the overall health, wellbeing and development of women across the island. This resolution is
necessary to encourage the County to think about how to leverage the resources and expertise that
already exists on our island. The County need not be the entity that directly provides all the programs
and services needed. Their role may be better served by facilitating collaboration and partnership with
and between organizations that are more directly focused on and knowledgable about the details that
women are dealing with. Please see the multiple stakeholders with women -serving and women -
supporting missions not only as an important voices at the table, but also an important set of hands to
help promote and keep efforts moving forward for this population on our island. I humbly ask the full
council for your vote of support on this measure.
Mahalo,
Mele U. Spencer
Comm.omNo. `" l Q�j
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