March 26, 2021
Media Contacts:
Mark Miller, Administrator, Office of Public Information, 410-313-2022
Yolanda F. Sonnier, Administrator, Office of Human Rights and Equity, 410-313-6430
Application deadline is Friday, April 16th
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball is seeking applicants who are interested in serving on the Human Rights Commission. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 16th.
Residents who serve on the Howard County Human Rights Commission will have the opportunity to help us seek out and address discrimination, reduce hate, and protect and promote human rights throughout our community. If you are passionate about engaging in finding solutions that improve our community and reflect our shared Howard County values of inclusion, equality and compassion for all, I encourage you to take this opportunity and apply.
The Commission was established in 1969 and is composed of 11 voting members who serve three-year terms and one non-voting student member. Prescribed by law, the Commission’s duties and responsibilities include recommending a civil rights policy to the County Executive and the County Council; conducting surveys and studies concerning human rights conditions and problems; and filing 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, 18 years of age or older for adults and under the age of 18 for students, 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. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, meetings are currently being held virtually via Webex.
Applicants should send a resume and brief letter explaining why they want to serve on the Commission to Kimberly Pruim either by email to kpruim@howardcountymd.gov 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 on the Human Rights Commission, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/Departments/County-Administration/Human-Rights/Commissions-and-Workgroups or contact Chaunta Taylor with the County’s Office of Human Rights and Equity at 410-313-6460 or via email HRC@howardcountymd.gov.