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

Mission Statement: The Delaware Commission for Women shall focus on advocacy and outreach on behalf of the interest of women and girls.

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.

Strategic Priorities

The Commission’s strategic priorities guide its advisory work and help inform OWAA’s initiatives and activities in three key areas:

• Anti-Poverty and Economic Development: Focuses on the economic challenges and opportunities facing women and girls in Delaware, including equal pay, workforce participation, affordable childcare, financial literacy, and economic independence.
• Women’s Health: Highlights health concerns affecting women and girls and opportunities to improve awareness, access to care, and health outcomes.
• Advocacy, Education, and Communication: Promotes awareness and understanding of issues affecting women and girls through education, information sharing, and engagement with policymakers and community partners.

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.

Get Involved

Interested in issues affecting women and girls in Delaware? The Delaware Commission for Women welcomes public engagement and encourages those interested in its work to learn more about its priorities and activities.

Attend a Public Meeting
Commission meetings are open to the public. View the public meeting calendar to find upcoming meetings.

Apply to Serve on the Commission
Commission members bring expertise, experience, and diverse perspectives to inform OWAA’s strategic planning, programming, and policy work. Learn more about serving on the Commission and how to apply.

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