'Women play a vital role': Houston Women's Commission holds inaugural meeting

The Houston Women's Commission, which was approved by the Houston City Council last month, held its inaugural meeting on Aug. 30, with Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and City Councilwomen Abbie Kamin, Carolyn Evans-Shabazz and Karla Cisneros in attendance.

A press release issued by the City of Houston explained that the commission consists of 25 diverse local female leaders appointed to the inaugural volunteer board.

“This morning, I joined CM @AbbieKamin, Evans-Shabazz and @Karla4Houston for the inaugural meeting of the Houston Women's Commission,” Turner tweeted following the meeting. “This Commission, made up of women from very diverse backgrounds, will help address gaps that may exist in many areas within our city.”

Kamin, who promised the creation of such commission during her 2019 campaign for the city council, heads the body and Beth Matusoff Merfish serves as chair, Click2Houston reported.

Houston joins a plethora of major U.S. cities with a women’s commission.

The approval of its own body came on the eve of Women’s Equality Day and almost two years after the first female-majority city council was elected.

Houston Daily reported that each of the 25 members will serve a two-year term, and their replacements will be staggered.

"Thank you Mayor @SylvesterTurner for your unwavering support of women in our city, and bringing this item forward," Kamin tweeted.

Turner said in the release, "Women play a vital role in my administration and are leaders who are making significant contributions in all aspects of our diverse community."