REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE COMMISSION FOR WOMEN Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 12:00 PM Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room, #1101 301 West 2nd Street Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the Commission for Women may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely or in person, call or email Christi Vitela, 512-974-2792, christi.vitela@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Becky Bullard, Chair Jocelyn Tau, Vice Chair Alexandria Anderson Vanessa Bissereth Angela Harris Diana Melendez Katrina Scheihing Rabia Shaik Fernanda Veloz Salas Shaimaa Zayan AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission for Women regular meeting on August 6, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation regarding Divine Mama Strength by Maxine Eiland. 3. Discussion regarding the draft Joint Inclusion Committee’s Recommendation to Council regarding the Office of Community Liaison. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 4. Update from the Recognition Working Group regarding meetings held and discussions about changing the event to a biannual event. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve changes to the scope of work and membership of the Recognition Working Group. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Christi Vitela at the Office of the City Clerk Department at 512-974-2792, or email christi.vitela@austintexas.gov, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Commission for Women, please contact Christi Vitela at the Office of the City Clerk Department at 512-974-2792, or email christi.vitela@austintexas.gov.
COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, August 6, 2025 Commission for Women Regular Meeting Minutes Wednesday, August 6, 2025 The Commission for Women convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, August 6th, 2025, at City Hall, 301 W 2nd Street, Austin, TX. Chair Bullard called the Commission for Women regular meeting to order at 12:07 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Becky Bullard, Chair Rabia Shaik Shaimaa Zayan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Alexandria Anderson Diana Melendez Fernanda Veloz-Salas PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission for Women regular meeting on July 9, 2025. The minutes from the meeting on July 9, 2025, were approved on Commissioner Veloz Salas’ motion, Commissioner Melendez’s second, on a 6-0 vote. Vice Chair Tau, Commissioners Bissereth, Harris, and Scheihing were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Update from the Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC) representative regarding the JIC meetings held in June and July 2025. Discussed. 3. Discussion of the Get to Know Your Commission events. Discussed. 1 COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, August 6, 2025 WORKING GROUP UPDATES 4. Update from the Quality of Life Working Group on the progress towards the completion of the Quality of Life Study. Commissioner Melendez provided an update. 5. Update from the Recognition Working Group regarding progress toward nominations, evaluation, and the 2025 event. Commissioner Melendez provided an update. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. Approve updates to the membership of the Collective Sex Crimes Response Model Working Group. The motion to approve the addition of Commissioners Shaik and Zayan to the Collective Sex Crimes Response Model Working Group was approved on Chair Bullard’s motion, Commissioner Melendez’s second on a 6-0 vote. Vice Chair Tau, Commissioners Bissereth, Harris, and Scheihing were absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Divine Mama Strength Approve the change in scope of work of the Recognition Working Group to have an event biannually instead of annually Discussion of a draft Recommendation to Council regarding the Office of Community Liaison Program Discussion of Welcoming Week (September) Presentation by the Office of Equity and Inclusion (October) Chair Bullard adjourned the meeting at 12:34 p.m. without objection. 2
Strong Mamas Create Stronger Communities Reimagining Postpartum & Women’s Wellness in Austin Presented by: Maxine Eiland Owner, Divine Mama Strength The Postpartum Gap 44% of women who had a baby say providers did not help them understand what is & isn’t normal in terms of symptoms Origin, 2024 Research Study We guide people to birth—but once the baby arrives, support stops. Their bodies have shifted, hormones spiraling, identity transforming— yet we expect them to ‘bounce back’ like nothing changed. Neglected Postpartum Care ● 96% of women with symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction have not been diagnosed** ● 85% of new mothers experience postpartum incontinence, but only 15% receive treatment* ● 67% of those who had a baby within five years have bladder leaks** ● 86% of those who had a baby say they didn’t receive any guidance on healing their pelvic floor after childbirth** ● 71% of women who gave birth within the past 5 years report receiving no guidance on exercising safely before or after childbirth** ● 83% of women who gave birth within the past 5 years report receiving no guidance on healing their abdominals after pregnancy & childbirth** *Urology Times **Origin, 2024 Research Study The Real-World Impact of Neglected Postpartum Care ● 24% of women exit the workforce during their first year of motherhood* ● Highest-achieving, highest-earning women are often the most likely to leave their jobs after maternity leave** ● Women who have given birth in the past 5 years report dissatisfaction with medical care related to returning to work*** ● 1 in 5 women experience a mental health issue during the perinatal period**** ● 1 in 6 Women (17%) who had a baby within 5 years say interactions with the healthcare system related to their most recent birth made them less likely to have another child*** *PubMed Central **Parentaly, Time ***Origin, 2024 Research Study ****Postpartum Support International Top Barriers to Postpartum Care *Origin, 2024 Research Study Divine Mama Strength Mission & Values Our mission at Divine Mama Strength is to empower women through every stage of life. From fertility to pregnancy, postpartum, & menopause, we provide personalized fitness, breathwork, & wellness programs that honor each woman’s unique journey. Guided by our core values of strength, confidence, & community, we ensure every woman feels supported, capable, & at home in her body. Who We Partner With Creating a Community of Care At Divine Mama Strength, we …
