1. Connecticut General Assembly
PCSWNews
Permanent Commission on the Status of Women
Happy Holidays!
December 2011
ConnGAP Report: More Progress Needed in Political Parity
Meet the Commissioner
Lucia Aschettino
T he PCSW’s Connecticut Government Appointments Project
(ConnGAP) Report, released on Nov. 15, was met by a mixture
of praise and criticism. Widely covered in the press (see links
below) the report called to light the fact that in the administration of
Gov. Dannel Malloy, 34.4% of those positions identified by ConnGAP
e
P
C ommissioner Lucia Aschettino was ap-
pointed to the PCSW in 2010 by House
Minority Leader Lawrence Cafero.
Aschettino, who holds an MBA from the
University of New Haven, as well as certificates
were filled by women as of Nov. 1. This is approximately 3% fewer than
during the Rell Administration. (During his gubernatorial campaign,
Gov. Dannel Malloy voluntarily signed the ConnGAP pledge to make
his best effort to name women to 50% of about 75 identified high-
an
level, paid appointments within his Executive Branch.)
from the Wharton School and Harvard Busi-
ness School, has considerable expertise in using Shortly after the release of the report, the Governor’s office responded
technology and e-business methods to improve by citing the names of two women (Deb Heinrich, non-profit liaison,
strategic planning, customer service, delivery and Jeanette DeJesus, special advisor on heath care) not included in
systems and communications. She is Director PCSW’s report. These appointments, while important, were not statu-
of Internet Strategy at InFrontWeb.com, a full- torily defined, nor would their inclusion have changed the percentage.
service marketing firm based in Connecticut. Significantly, if we were to include these positions, we would also have
to include all similar posts to which men were appointed, as ConnGAP P
She has served in management positions for measures the percentage of male-to-female appointments.
such corporations as Pitney Bowes and New
Haven Savings Bank (currently known as First “Our intent was not to disparage the Governor, nor to advocate for patronage posts, as some news reports hhave
Niagra). Lucia has been a Public Industry Ar- implied,” said PCSW Excecutive Director Teresa Younger. “Our aim, per our mandate, was to promote wom-
bitrator (FINRA) since 1997 and served on the en for consideration for leadership positions. To that end, we supplied the Governor with a large notebook full
board of the State of Connecticut Professional of highly qualified women willing to serve in his administration. We believe firmly that any governing body
Teachers Continuing Standards. From 1994 benefits from diverse opinions, and that widening the circle of talent necessarily widens perspective.”
to 1997, she was a volunteer business consul-
tant with Junior Achievement teaching young To be sure, Malloy has appointed several women to lead State agencies, including Dr. Jewell Mullen, Dept.
people how business works. She has taught as
The PCSW’s
of Public Health, and Judge Joette Katz, Dept. of Children and Families, both of whom came to the Gover-
an adjunct teacher in Albertus Magnus Col- nor’s attention through ConnGAP. Additionally, Gov. Malloy appointed (or reappointed): Catherine Smith,
lege’s New Dimensions Program. Dept. of Economic Development; Melody Currey, Dept. of Motor Vehicles; Linda
ConnGAP Coverage Roberts, Connecticut Siting Council; Elin Katz, Office of Consumer Counsel; Jane
Aschettino, who is in the process of becoming a CTMirror.com Ciarleglio, Office of Financial and Academic Affairs for Higher Education; Victoria
mentor with the international women’s Global CT News Junkie.com Veltri, Office of Healthcare Advocate; Patricia Rehmer, Dept. of Mental Health and
Give Back Circle program, is committed to
WSHU Radio Addiction Services; and Linda Schwartz, Dept. of Veterans Affairs.
•
developing women’s leadership.
The Hartford Courant
The New Haven Register Some press reports implied that PCSW was promoting its own inner circle of
“I agree that ‘we need not just a new generation
The Journal Inquirer friends. However, the bi-partisan ConnGAP Executive Search Committee, working
of leadership, but a new gender of leadership,’”
she says. “I’m passionate about gender equality Republican-American
with a non-partisan coalition of more than 80 organizations, considered the resumes
issues -- whether it be pay equity or women of more than 100 women and selected about 60.
serving in top leadership positions in state,
federal and corporate arenas. I feel we are mak- “Studies have shown that having a critical mass of women in a decision-making body – whether it’s a corpora-
ing definite forward movement in these areas, tion or a government – helps turn the curve on systemic change needed to address issues affecting women
but there is still more opportunity to fill the gap and families,” Younger said. “We believe the people who lead State agencies should more accurately reflect the
between men and women.” make-up of those they serve, 51% of whom are women. If PCSW doesn’t ask this vital question, who will?”
Make Your Voice Heard CCADV, PCSW and GFWC-CT Hold Policy Training
The Family Child Care Working Group is More than 100 women (and a few
holding an open comment period to seek input men) gathered Nov. 16 in the Legisla-
from the public on the need for collective bar- tive Office Building for a training ses-
gaining for family childcare workers. Come to sion co-sponsored by the Connecticut
the Capitol on January 10th, from 7 to 9 p.m. Coaltion Against Domestic Violence,
the General Federation of Women’s
Clubs - CT Chapter, and the PCSW.
Civic Engagement = Healthy Society Participants learned about the legisla-
Check out the 2011 Connecticut Civic tive process, advocating for issues, testi- Girl Scouts Honor Dr. Elsa Nunez
Health Index, a new report which looks at key fying before legislative committees, and The Girl Scouts of Connecticut
indicators of a vital society. Produced jointly working with lobbyists. Left: Panelists honored Dr. Elsa Nunez, presi-
by Everyday Democracy, the CT Secretary of State Reps. Penny Bacchiochi (R-52) dent of Eastern Connecticut State
the State’s Office and the National Conference and Betsy Ritter (D-38). Other panel- University, at their annual Break-
on Citizenship. And click HERE to watch a ists were Reps. Lonnie Reed (D-102) fast Badge event on Dec. 2. In
CT-N video of “Renewing Our Democracy: and Mae Flexer (D-44). Diane Smith photo above (left to right): PCSW
What Connecticut Can Be,” held Nov. 14 moderated. Below, members of the CT Executive Director Teresa Younger,
at the Old State House with Secretary of the Chapter of the General Federation of Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, Dr. Elsa
State Denise Merrill, PCSW’s Teresa Younger Women’s Clubs pose in the LOB lobby. Nunez and Girl Scouts CEO Jen-
and other community leaders. nifer Smith Turner. Younger is presi-
Permanent Commission on the Status of Women dent of the board of Girl Scouts,
18-20 Trinity St., Hartford, CT 06106 which represents 46,000 girls in
www.cga.ct.gov/pcsw Connecticut.
860/240-8300; Fax: 860/240-8314 Photo by Barbara Connors.