It shall be the function of the Commission to:
A. 
Act as a centralizing force in the Town of Brookline and the community which will deal with all women's issues, providing information, referral, guidance, and coordination to educate and to offer and provide technical assistance to other public agencies and private persons, organizations and institutions engaged in activities and programs intended to eliminate prejudice and discrimination against women because of their status as women or as minority women.
B. 
Take such action as the Commission considers appropriate to advance the aims of the State Equal Rights Amendment to ensure the equal status of women of every race, creed, color, national origin, age, gender identity or gender expression, and sexual orientation.
C. 
The term "women" in this Chapter 3.9 shall include all women, whether by assignment at birth, or gender identity as defined in MGL c. 4, § 7, cl. Fifty-ninth.[1]
[1]
Note: MGL c. 4, § 7, Clause fifty-ninth provides, in relevant part, as follows: "Gender identity" shall mean a person's gender-related identity, appearance or behavior, whether or not that gender-related identity, appearance or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with the person's physiology or assigned sex at birth.
[Amended 11-18-2025 STM by Art. 4]
The powers and duties of the Commission shall include the following:
A. 
To ensure equity in the status of women in educational, economic, political, health, legal and social spheres.
B. 
To design and implement programs that promote gender equity for all women in the Town.
C. 
To develop recommendations and recommend policy to all departments, divisions and agencies of the Town, including the Select Board.
D. 
To act as liaison with all departments and divisions of Town government on issues affecting women.
E. 
To initiate and coordinate and monitor the enactment of legislation which promotes equal status of women on the municipal, state, and federal levels, and to assure that appropriate regulations are adopted and enforced pursuant to such legislation.
F. 
To work with and assist the appropriate Town agencies in their investigation of incidents of discrimination against women.
G. 
To obtain from Town departments, divisions, and agencies, information necessary to carry out the functions, purposes, programs, and activities of the Commission.
H. 
To initiate public exhibits and media events in Town Hall, Town libraries, and other Town-owned property as well as in other locations within and without the Town.
I. 
To raise funds for the use of the Commission and to accept money, gifts and services for its exclusive use.
J. 
To be a member of the National Association of Commissions for Women.
K. 
To recruit and recommend prospective Commissioners for subsequent appointment by the Select Board.
L. 
To appoint task forces to assist the Commission in its operations.
M. 
Such other powers and duties as may be agreed on by the Select Board and the Commission.
A. 
The Commission shall consist of 11 residents, all of whom shall be appointed by the Select Board to serve for a term of three years.
B. 
The initial appointments shall be made for staggered terms as follows: the term of three members shall expire after one year, the term of four members after two years and the terms of four members after three years. When a vacancy occurs, an appointment shall be made by the Select Board. The Commission shall recommend to the Select Board candidates to fill vacancies. A person is not precluded from serving more than one term. Commissioners must be residents of the Town of Brookline.