HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-08-26 Public Comment - K. Laird - Public Comment for April 7 Meeting_ Gratitude and Support for CEDAW Implementation as part of BIBFrom:Kristin Laird
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Public Comment for April 7 Meeting: Gratitude and Support for CEDAW Implementation as part of
BIB
Date:Tuesday, April 7, 2026 9:42:23 AM
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Dear Mayor and Bozeman City Commissioners,
I’m writing to first express my sincere gratitude for beginning to implement
the CEDAW Resolution, starting with training, and your ongoing efforts to
adequately furnish our city with Pay Equity reporting.
Second, I’d like to voice my support and desire to see this effort
strengthened through the following measures:
Deliver an intersectionality analysis in the Equal Pay Report (as
required in the CEDAW Resolution) for Indigenous, women of color,
LGBTQIA+, and mothers;
Leverage CEDAW Best Practice research (shared by the CEDAW
Taskforce) to submit this report to The Economic Vitality Citizens
Advisory Board and Belonging in Bozeman Coordinator (and related
committees) to create recommendations to address and/or study any
of the pay equity gaps identified in said report;
Note there are not any Montana-based Stats, annual reporting, or
indication pay inequity exists from the MT Department of Labor and
Industry since 2021 when the new Governor abolished them. We can,
at minimum, remedy this as a City.
Economic security for women and families is fragile and contributes to pay
disparities across our city and beyond. At a time when women's human
rights are being eliminated in our State policies, budget and oversight, and
in the US Constitution, we cannot continue to accept commitments on paper
that are not implemented effectively to make a difference in our lives as
citizens of this city and state.
All forms of gender- and race-based violence are on the rise and healthcare
for women, particularly those living below the poverty line, will be lost and/or
severely compromised with the closure of 8 Rural MT Hospitals/clinics due
to MEDICAID funding cuts.
We need commitments to our safety and economic security if we are to
thrive and truly feel we “belong.”
I urge you, keep going in the direction you’re already taking great steps
towards… take what’s on paper and make it real. Implement Bozeman City
for CEDAW.
With gratitude,
Kristin Laird and Jan Strout
Co-Leaders, Bozeman City for CEDAW Taskforce
Resident Locations: Northwest Bozeman