Our Work

Education and Outreach

Our work to educate the community is done in partnership with a variety of organizations whose missions and goals align with ours. This allows us to not only amplify our message, but it helps maintain and improve communication and cooperation among local women’s advocacy organizations. We educate the community through the actions described below.

Seminars

We provide residents with free or low-cost seminars on a variety of topics.  The Commission generally offers seminars on the following topics:
  1. Understanding Separation and Divorce in Maryland
  2. Financial Health and Wellness
  3. Comeback Careers: Re-Entering the Workforce
  4. Self-Defense Classes
Interested in attending a seminar?  Learn more about our offerings  or , sign up for our newsletter!  Our newsletter is generally sent out weekly and includes information about our programs and other Montgomery County events.

Commission for Women Meetings

Commission for Women meetings take place the second Thursday of every month and begin at 7:00pm. Meetings are generally online; however, the March and June 2024 meetings will be in person.

Meetings are subject to change, so please email Jodi.Finkelstein@montgomerycountymd.gov to confirm a meeting you may wish to attend.

n-person meetings take place at:

21 Maryland Ave., Suite 330
Rockville, MD 20850

Agendas and Mintues

Publications

Our publications cover a variety of topics and are in multiple languages.  We work to update them on a yearly or bi-yearly basis.

Special Reports and Informational Brochures

Annual Reports

Montgomery County Women's Archives Project

In 2002, to commemorate its 30th anniversary, we created an archive of the biographies of 30 women whose lives were of historical significance to Montgomery County. In July of 2012, to commemorate its 40th anniversary, the Commission added another 10 biographies, and has added five more since then.  For more information visit Women's Archives Project.

Montgomery County’s Quilt Project

To commemorate its 30 years of service, advocacy and progress, in 2002 a quilt was created for the Montgomery County Commission for Women, featuring 30 women of historical significance to the county. The quilt is composed of 33 squares. Surrounding the central square, a composition commemorating the 30 years of the Commission, thirty two squares are placed. One square commemorates each of the thirty women. In the bottom corners, two squares name the members of the Ad Hoc Committee that recommended the establishment of the Commission for Women in 1972, and the presidents of the Commission from 1972 to 2002.  In 2012, to mark the 40th anniversary of the Commission, another quilt was created featuring 10 more women of historical significance to the county.  For more information visit Montgomery County's Quilt Project page.

STEM Scholarships

The Commission, in conjunction with the Montgomery College Foundation, has established a scholarship and endowment to support students pursuing careers in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.

The scholarship is funded through individual gifts.

Students interested in the scholarship may learn more at:  Montgomery College Academic Works

Scholarship Donations  Montgomery College Website

If giving to the scholarship, please note, “CFW STEM Scholarship” in the memo section.

If giving to the Endowment, please note, “CFW STEM Endowed Scholarship.”

Advocacy

Advocacy is at the heart of everything that we do.  Our founding legislation charges us with the responsibility of advising the public, county executive, county council, and the agencies of the county, state and federal governments on the issues of concern to women. Advocacy projects vary based on the needs of the community, resources, and skills/abilities of the Commissioners.

Each year, Commissioners convene a strategic planning meeting to determine upcoming priorities. Overarching priorities generally fall under these areas:

  1.  Women’s Economic and Financial Security
  2.  Women in Leadership, Education, and the Workforce, and
  3.  Women’s Health, Safety, and Security.

Direct Service

The Commission no longer provides individual or group counseling as it once did. However, the Commission partners with the community to provide free or low-cost seminars and classes. Have an idea for a class or seminar? Please email us at cfwinfo@montgomerycountymd.gov