Diversity on State Boards and Commissions Improves
/The Biennial Report on the Gender and Racial Composition of Connecticut State Boards and Commissions, released this week, shows increases in the representation of women, African Americans and Hispanics. However, disparities continue to exist between representation on boards and commissions and the percentage of population in the state. Secretary of the State Denise Merrill says the continuing disparities demonstrate that more work needs to be done. Among the findings:
- Women: 40.1 percent of the appointed membership on boards and commissions, up 1.6 percentage points from 2009. 2011 Census figures show 51.3 percent of the state's population is female.
- There was a 10 % decrease in the number of Boards and Commissions indicating they had no women members. That percentage now stands at 13.7.
- African Americans: 9.5 percent, up from 8.1 percent in 2009. Percentage of state population: 9.4 percent.
- Hispanic people: 3.7 percent, up from 2.8% in 2009. Percentage of state population: 13.4 percent.
