REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMISSION FOR WOMEN WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 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. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live 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, contact Chelsea Pfeifer at chelsea.pfeifer@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2498. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Alexandria Anderson, Chair Lauren Adams Vanessa Bissereth Angela Harris Alicia Ramirez Shaimaa Zayan CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Jocelyn Tau, Vice Chair Tasha Billet Becky Bullard Diana Melendez Rabia Shaik 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 September 8, 2026. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. Presentation by Con Mi MADRE regarding programs serving Latina moms and daughters. Presentation by Linda Medina-Lopez, Executive Director, Con Mi MADRE. Discussion regarding Women’s Health and the Role of Local Government, from Personal Experience to Public Impact, with Council Member Vanessa Fuentes. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. 5. Approve the creation of a Budget working group to form recommendations for the 2027-2028 Budget cycle. Approve the 2027 annual schedule of the Commission For Women. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Chelsea Pfeifer at the Austin City Clerk’s Office, at 512-974-2498 or chelsea.pfeifer@austintexas.gov to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Commission for Women please contact Chelsea Pfeifer at 512-974- 2498 or chelsea.pfeifer@austintexas.gov.
Commission for Women Regular Meeting Minutes Wednesday, September 2, 2026 The Commission for Women convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at Austin City Hall, 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Anderson called the Commission for Women Meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Alexandria Anderson, Chair Alicia Ramirez Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Jocelyn Tau, Vice Chair Lauren Adams Tasha Billet Becky Bullard Diana Melendez Rabia Shaik PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission for Women regular Meeting on August 5, 2026. The minutes from the Commission for Women regular meeting on August 5, 2026 were approved on Commissioner Ramirez’s motion, Commissioner Adams’ second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner Melendez was off the dais. Commissioners Bissereth, Harris, and Zayan were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation on Collective Sex Crime Response Model. Presentation by Hanna Senko, Consultant, CSCRM Working Group, Silvana Giono, Supervisor of Victim Services, Austin Police, Catherine Hutchins, Sergeant, Austin Police, Marcy Alonzo, Austin/Travis County COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 Sexual Assault Rapid Response Team Coordinator, Austin Police, and Allison Roper, Business Process Consultant, Austin Police. The presentation was made by Hanna Senko, Consultant, CSCRM Working Group, Silvana Giono, Supervisor of Victim Services, Austin Police, Catherine Hutchins, Sergeant, Austin Police, Marcy Alonzo, Austin/Travis County Sexual Assault Rapid Response Team Coordinator, Austin Police, and Allison Roper, Business Process Consultant, Austin Police. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. 4. 5. Approve a recommendation to Council regarding funding for Communities In Schools. Withdrawn without objection, to be revisited for the next budget cycle. Approve a recommendation to Council regarding funding for SAFE Alliance. Withdrawn without objection, to be revisited for the next budget cycle. Approve a nomination of a primary member of the Commission For Women to the Joint Inclusion Committee. The nomination of Commissioner Billet as the primary member for the Commission for Women to the Joint Inclusion Committee was approved on Commissioner Ramirez’s motion, Commissioner Bullard’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Bissereth, Harris and Zayan were absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Formation of Working Groups including the Budget Working Group for 2027 Possible Discussion or Presentation regarding Breast Cancer Awareness Month Possible Discussion or Presentation regarding Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month Chair Anderson adjourned the meeting at 12:56 p.m. without objection. 2
Linda Medina-Lopez Executive Director Con Mi MADRE “A Latina baby had less than a 1% chance of obtaining a college education.”-- 1992 Founding Story • 1992: Launched as Hispanic Mother- Daughter Program by Junior League of Austin • 2008: Became independent nonprofit, renamed Con Mi MADRE Mission To empower young Latinas and their mothers from 6th grade to and through college graduation. We provide education and wrap around support services that increase preparedness, participation, and success in post-secondary education. Vision: Our vision is to see every Latina student, equipped with knowledge and support, rewrite the narrative of her family and community. 11-Year Journey Rise Program (Middle School) Early exposure to college planning + social-emotional skill building Lead Program (High School) Guidance through college enrollment + transition prep Success Program (Undergraduates) Individual support for college persistence + workforce readiness Who We Serve 560+ Latina Students and their Mothers in the Greater Austin Region What We Offer [At No Cost] • Social-Emotional Learning • Monthly in-school grade level sessions • College Tours • College & Career Fair • Monthly family workshops “Entre Madres” & “Creciendo Juntas” • STEM Conference • Leadership Conference • Year-round mother-daughter bonding • Special Activities • Year-round individual mentorship & case-management Our Impact High School Graduation Rate 97% College Enrollment Rate 77% College Graduation Rate 73% Over 3,000 Mother/Daughters Served! Con Mi MADRE vs. Texas Benchmarks (%) 97% 7 90 77% 25 52 90% 5 85 75% 5 70 HS GRADUATION COLLEGE ENROLLMENT COLLEGE PERSISTENCE DEGREE COMPLETION IN <6.5 YRS Texas Con Mi MADRE Why This Work Remains Essential Building a Pipeline of Leaders Our future workforce Changing generations Persistent Barriers Economic hardship limits access to resources Ways to Get Involved • Join Friends of Con Mi MADRE • Volunteer: Support Events • Be a Speaker • Attend Corazon Awards Gala • Attend a Give Back • Make a Donation • Create a Fundraiser • Follow us on Social Media: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram www.conmimadre.org Questions Thank you! linda@conmimadre.org
2027 Meeting Dates for Commission For Women Location and Time TBD January 6 February 3 March 3 April 7 May 5 June 2 July 7 August 4 September 1 October 6 November 3 December 1
