HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-15-18 Public Comment - A. Hoitsma - CEDAW ResolutionFrom:agenda@bozeman.net
To:Agenda
Subject:Thank you for your public comment.
Date:Tuesday, May 15, 2018 10:11:43 AM
A new entry to a form/survey has been submitted.
Form Name:Public Comment Form
Date & Time:05/15/2018 10:11 AM
Response #:110
Submitter ID:7646
IP address:172.24.96.111
Time to complete:23 min. , 36 sec.
Survey Details
Page 1
Public comment may be submitted via the form below, or by any of the following options.
Public comment may also be given at any public meeting.
Email:
agenda@bozeman.net
Mail to:
Attn: City Commission
PO Box 1230
Bozeman, MT 59771
In-person delivery to:
Attn: City Commission
City Clerk's Office
City Hall, Suite 202
121 N. Rouse Ave.
Bozeman, MT
First Name Amy Kelley
Last Name Hoitsma
Email Address aok@mcn.net
Phone Number 406-581-1513
Comments
Dear Mayor Andrus, Deputy Mayor Mehl, and City Commissioners:
I attended last night's meeting and stood to speak in support of the Cities for CEDAW resolution. I decided
to step down when Mayor Andrus announced we only had 20 minutes remaining and the line in front and
behind me was still considerable. I thought I'd send you my written comment instead.
I was heartened by the May 6 Chronicle editorial encouraging the Commission to endorse CEDAW and to
become the first Montana City for CEDAW. I found it ironic, however, the middle of the editorial read:
"There are those who argue women earn less because they tend to pursue less lucrative professions..." I'm
not sure who "those" people are, specifically or generally speaking, but no woman I know is filtering her job
search by ruling out more lucrative professions.
The truth, I believe, is that the professions that are primarily held by women are paid less BECAUSE they are
held by women. Elementary school teachers come immediately to mind.
It is enlightening that a study released last year by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and
Development looked at the ratio of the average salaries of teachers with 15 years’ experience to the
average earnings of full-time workers with a college degree. The U.S. ranked 22 out of 27 (primarily
Western European) countries. The U.S. pays teachers less than 60% of the average pay of a college-
educated, full-time worker, while in most other countries teachers earn 80-100% (in Spain it is more than
120%).
What people are paid is a reflection of a society's values. Despite the fact that teaching our children is
arguably one of the most important jobs in any society, in this country it doesn't pay.
I'm not claiming that becoming a CEDAW city will suddenly change teachers' pay scales, but it will help
make clear the underlying bias and discrimination that undervalues the work the women do. That is how
change happens, from the bottom up.
Bozeman has an incredible opportunity to play a lead role in that change in Montana. I encourage you to
recognize and take advantage of that opportunity.
Thank you.
Very sincerely,
Amy Kelley Hoitsma
706 E. Peach St., Bozeman
Thank you,
City Of Bozeman
This is an automated message generated by the Vision Content Management System™. Please do not reply
directly to this email.