BOULDER, Colo.—City leaders are wondering whether it’s time to change a 1917 law that requires that all boards and commissions have both men and women serving on them.
The city’s charter bars boards and commissions from having members that are “all of one sex”, a provision added to help make sure women were given opportunities to serve. But city attorney Ariel Calonne said it could force leaders to violate federal anti-discrimination laws.
“It could cause the exclusion of someone from the board based on their gender,” Calonne said.
Deputy Mayor Suzy Ageton said the City Council will consider asking voters to get rid of the requirement this week. She favors language directing the city council to make appointments that “demonstrates the city’s respect for all its diverse human culture.”
Janet Roberts, who served on city boards for more than 30 years, said the charter requirement has done some good. She said she got her start in 1956 when she was appointed to the planning board to replace “the one required woman on the board”—Carolyn Gillaspie.
“I’m sure that neither she nor I would have been have appointed save for that charter requirement,” Roberts said.
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Information from: Daily Camera,
