The Seattle Office for Civil Rights provides staff support to four community advisory boards including the Disability, Human Rights, LGBTQ, and Women's commissions.

Commissions are groups of volunteers that advocate for the communities their commissions represent by raising awareness about social justice issues and providing  recommendations to the Mayor, City Council, and City departments. 

This issue highlights examples of the commissions' work this year, upcoming events, and ways to participate. 

Over the the past few months, Seattle LGBTQ Commissioners engaged in advocacy and conversations with City of Seattle leaders about civil rights concerns in public places, including Denny Blaine Park and City Council's SOAP and SODA legislation. To learn more about the LGBTQ Commission's advocacy and read their public statements, visit their social media pages on instagram and facebook.

The Seattle Disability Commission strives to create a city that meets the needs of every person with disabilities. They work towards this goal by focusing on three key areas:

• Advocacy
• Transportation
• Employment

The Seattle Disability Commission maintains a list of resources for anyone in need of services. Check it out here.

All four commissions are accepting new members, including the Seattle Disability Commission! Consider joining and apply online at Boards & Commissions.

Would you like to use your voice to promote equitable policies, raise awareness about social justice issues, and make recommendations to City of Seattle decision-makers to create positive change? Join a commission! Applications are now open. Learn more here.

Photo caption: In partnership with the World Affairs Council, commission co-chairs met with women civil rights delegates from North and South America to learn from each other's work.

"I joined the Seattle Disability Commission so that I can I can bring opportunities to others to increase awareness about all disabilities, to assist folks in reaching their own intentions so they can live the best lives possible, and so that everybody can be heard." said Michele Kauffman, Co-Chair of the Seattle Disability Commission.

Watch this video hear from more Seattle Disability Commissioners about their experience serving on the board and why others should join.

"Being part of the Seattle Women’s Commission is such a fulfilling experience! I love the connections I make with other Commissioners as we work together on important issues that impact women in our community," said Seattle Women's Commission Co-Chair, Krystal Guerrero. "The SWC helps shape the lives of women in Seattle by pushing for policies that tackle key concerns like affordable housing, reproductive healthcare, and gender-based violence. One of my favorite moments was creating a survey to hear from women in Seattle, and the feedback we got has really shaped our current focus and priorities."

Emily Rose Barr, Seattle Women's Commission Co-Chair agreed, noting, "I love learning about the issues that are important to the women of Seattle and using my voice to advocate for them. Seeing the community come together to support a common cause gives me hope that there's a shift happening in how we address inequality in all of its forms. One of my favorite SWC memories is attending Affordable Housing Week earlier this year, during which I got to examine how the city can expand its dwelling options to better serve those of a lower socioeconomic status."

Photo caption, from L-to-R: Current SWC Co-Chairs, Krystal Guerrero and Emily Rose Barr, and former co-chair Sarah Liu.