Council Overview

Mission Statement

The Tennessee Economic Council on Women assesses Tennessee women’s economic status. It develops and advocates solutions to address women’s needs in order to help women achieve economic autonomy. In setting its priorities, the Council selects issues that are timely and likely to result in positive changes for women.

Current Initiatives

Each year the Council is proud to collaborate with the Women’s Economic Council Foundation on the Economic Summit for Women.  The Council also works with its volunteer-driven advisory councils around the state to offer regional economic summits.  In 2008 the Council held regional summits in Shelby County, Bradley County, Blount County, and Sullivan County.  Issues which economically affect women in Tennessee economically affect the whole state.  The Council’s research work shows how issues like domestic violence and political participation affect the economic well-being of all Tennesseans.  Currently the Council is studying the economic impact of the lack of preventive healthcare received by Tennessee women.

History

The Economic Council on Women is a State agency created under TCA § 4-50-100, et seq. by the One Hundredth General Assembly in 1998 to address the economic needs of Tennessee women. The Economic Council on Women is attached administratively to the Office of the Secretary of State. Following the legislation in 1998, 21 members of the Council were appointed by the Governor, the Speakers of the House and Senate, the Tennessee Black Legislative Caucus and the Tennessee Women’s Legislative Caucus. Members of the Council represent each of the nine Development Districts of the State, the State’s university system, the Governor’s Cabinet, women’s organizations, the Black Caucus and the Women’s Caucus, along with other members from the Senate and the House. The Council first met in June 1999.