Delaware Commission for Women

Our History

Delaware’s commitment to women’s equity began in 1963 with the establishment of the first Council on the Status of Women. After several iterations, the Delaware Commission for Women was formally created in 1982, supported by a small staff within a state agency. Over the years, the Commission has led and supported a wide range of initiatives, including:

• Legal Handbook for Delaware Women
• Lobby Handbook
• Women’s Resource Directory
• Trainings for women to become judges and run for office
• Partnerships with the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council
• Voter registration efforts
• Pro Se Divorce Seminars
• Issue-based resources (e.g., violence prevention, economic empowerment, civil rights, work/family balance)
• Roundtable discussions, conferences, and public forums
• Advocacy training for nonprofits
• Legislator meet-and-greets
• Legislative Engagement
• Legislative Advocacy-Bill Positions/Committee Testimony

Our Purpose

Commission members are appointed for their expertise, networks, and passion for advancing women’s rights and opportunities. They advise OWAA on:

• Strategic Planning
• Project Development
• Program Design and Implementation
• Policy

The Commission amplifies the voice of women in Delaware, ensuring that recommendations and resources presented to the Cabinet Secretary, General Assembly, and Administration are grounded in lived experience and expert insight.

Delaware Women’s Coalition

A collaborative space for women’s organizations across the state to:

• Share resources and information
• Professional Networking
• Develop and Support Collective Policy Agenda
• Uplift each other’s voices
• Align shared priorities for women

The Coalition strengthens collective impact and fosters unity among Delaware’s women-serving organizations. If you’d like to join the Coalition, contact us.

Economic Empowerment

The Delaware Commission for Women works with OWAA to advance the economic empowerment of women by advocating for policies, programs, and practices that promote equity, opportunity, and financial security. Through research, collaboration, and community engagement, the Commission elevates issues such as equal pay, workforce access, affordable childcare, and pathways to leadership, helping to ensure that women across Delaware have the tools and support needed to thrive economically.

Join Us in Driving Change

The Delaware Commission for Women is more than an advisory body, it is a coalition of change makers, a network of experts, and a catalyst for progress. Together with OWAA, we are building a stronger, more equitable Delaware for all women and girls.

Commissioners