History

The Montgomery County Commission for Women (CFW) was established by an act of law in 1972 to advocate for equal rights for women.  Its goals are to:

• eliminate conditions that prohibit the equal participation of women in the benefits, responsibilities and opportunities of society
• enable women to participate as equals in the community through the acquisition of skills and competencies, information, and resources

• 1973
  • The CFW first opened its offices for advocacy activities
• 1976
  • A counseling center then known as A Women's Place was initiated as a program of the Commission for Women
• 1977
  • The New Phase Career Center was initiated
• 1991
  • A Women's Place and the New Phase Career Center were combined in 1991 and called the Commission for Women Counseling and Career Center
• 2011
  • The Counseling and Career Center closed 

The Montgomery County Commission for Women (CFW) continues its advocacy for equal rights for women.  Its goals are to eliminate conditions that prohibit the equal participation of women in the benefits, responsibilities and opportunities of society.  The CFW, comprised of 15 volunteer commissioners from the community, focuses primarily on identifying inequities in laws, policies, practices and procedures, and recommending and promoting remedies.  The CFW, which sets its priorities annually, conducts research, analyzes economic, political, legal and social trends, and provides education on women's issues in the community.  The CFW holds hearings and publishes informal materials, and organizes the annual Women's Legislative Briefing in partnership with many other women's and community organizations from across the state.