July 2, 2019
Media Contacts:
Mark Miller, Administrator, Office of Public Information, 410-313-2022
Yolanda Sonnier, Administrator, Office of Human Rights, 410-313-6430
Application deadline is Friday, August 2
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball is seeking applicants who are interested in serving on the Human Rights Commission. Established in 1969, the Commission is composed of 11 voting members who serve five-year terms and one non-voting student member. The deadline to apply is Friday, August 2, 2019.
“As a Howard County resident, I am proud of our reputation for inclusivity and our commitment to eradicating all discrimination. In an era where no jurisdiction is completely free from the threat of hatred, our community depends upon our Human Rights Commission to help us move forward,” said Ball. “I encourage you to apply if you are passionate about finding policy solutions that reflect our shared values of inclusion, equality, and compassion for all.”
The Commission’s duties and responsibilities are prescribed by law, and include recommending a civil rights policy to the County Executive and the County Council; the authority to conduct surveys and studies concerning human rights conditions and problems; and the authority to file a complaint when there is reason to believe a pattern or practice of discrimination exists. In Howard County, it is illegal to discriminate against individuals based on: race, creed, religion, disability, color, sex, national origin, age, occupation, marital status, political opinion, sexual orientation, personal appearance, familial status, source of income or gender identity.
To be eligible for consideration, candidates must be a Howard County resident, have an interest in human/civil rights and be able to attend the Commission’s meetings on the third Thursday of each month from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Howard County Community Resources Campus, 9820 Patuxent Woods Drive in Columbia.
Applicants should send a resume and brief letter explaining why they want to serve on the Commission to Kimberly Pruim either by email to [email protected] or by mail to: Howard County Government, Office of the County Executive, Attn: Kimberly Pruim, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, MD 21043. The names of eligible applicants will be submitted to the County Executive for approval and then to the County Council for confirmation.
For more information about the Office of Human Rights, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/Departments/County-Administration/Human-Rights, the Human Rights Commission at www.howardcountymd.gov/Departments/County-Administration/Human-Rights/Boards-and-Commissions, or call the Office at 410-313-6430.