Virginia Council on Women

About the Council

The Council on Women (the "Council") is established as an advisory council, within the meaning of § 2.2-2100, in the executive branch of state government. The purpose of the Council shall be to advise the Governor on matters pertaining to women and ways to improve their educational, professional, cultural, and governmental status within the Commonwealth.

The Council shall consist of 21 members from the Commonwealth at large and one of the Governor's Secretaries as defined in § 2.2-200, ex officio with full voting privileges, all to be appointed by the Governor. Appointments shall be for terms of four years, except appointments to fill vacancies, which shall be for the unexpired terms. The ex officio member shall serve a term coincident with his term of office. A majority of the membership of the Council shall constitute a quorum.
 

Purpose

The Council shall have the following powers and duties to:

1. Determine the studies and research to be conducted by the Council;
2. Collect and disseminate information regarding the status of women in the Commonwealth and the nation;
3. Advise the Governor, General Assembly and the Governor’s Secretaries on matters pertaining to women in the Commonwealth and the nation;
4. Establish and award scholarships pursuant to regulations and conditions prescribed by the Council;
5. Review and comment on all budgets, appropriation requests and grant applications concerning the Council, prior to their submission to the Secretary of Health and Human Resources or the Governor; and
6. Develop programs and projects on matters pertaining to women in the Commonwealth and the nation through public-private partnerships.