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The Office of Women's Rights was originally established in 1970 as the Women's Division of the Office of Human Resources in the Executive Department. Its mission was the promotion of equality for women in Seattle and the monitoring and enforcement of ordinances relating to equal employment and housing, and to provide staffing to the Seattle Women's Commission. In 1980, OWR was reorganized and its enforcement function was transferred to the Human Rights Department. OWR now develops and coordinates programs which promote equal opportunities for women and sexual minorities. OWR also provides staff support for the Seattle Commission for Lesbians and Gays.

Correspondence, memoranda, briefings, surveys, reports, and legislation relating to issues of concern and projects of the OWR. Issues include child care, battered women, women firefighters, vocational education, refugee and immigrant women, chemical and alcohol dependency, and sex discrimination.

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Correspondence, memoranda, and reports relating to OWR's responsibility for monitoring departmental compliance with the City's affirmative action goals. Includes quarterly departmental staffing reports, affirmative action master plan, and annual work plans.

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Correspondence, reports, applications, and case files of three-year pilot project designed to assist female heads of households living in Yesler Terrace to achieve a greater degree of stability and self-sufficiency. Components of Project YES included training, individual case management, support groups, resource information and referrals, and child care. The project was funded by a community development block grant.

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Correspondence, memoranda, reports, and studies concerning comparable worth. Materials were compiled while OWR studied comparable worth, especially its implementation at the State level.

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Materials relating to monitoring of Seattle Fire Department's pre-recruit training program for prospective women fire fighters. Includes background material on SFD/women relations, copies of the Doolittle Reports on strength and endurance training, and the SFD's recruiting program.

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Monthly reports, case logbooks, policies, and correspondence relating to OWR's monitoring and enforcement of City ordinances pertaining to sexual discrimination. This function was consolidated with the Human Rights Department in 1980.

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Completed anonymous survey forms designed to gauge discrimination against members of the gay/lesbian community. The series consists of 1361 data forms that include demographic questions regarding age, gender, race, education, employment, residence, income, and religion. The survey also gathered information related to experiences with child rearing services, loans and credit, housing, and the work place. Several quality of life questions are included addressing how respondents cope with discrimination and regarding alienation from the non-gay/lesbian community. A brief report based on the data is also included.

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Correspondence, reports, surveys, and news clippings related to the activities of the task force. Materials deal primarily with the passage and monitoring of legislation extending benefits to domestic partners of City officials and employees.

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Correspondence, memoranda, minutes, and reports of the Task Force formed to advocate for appropriate, affordable, gender-specific services for chemically dependent women. Among its activities were lobbying for pre-treatment programs to bring women into treatment, lobbying to expand outreach services to chemically dependent pregnant women, and to increase social services and housing for its constituents.

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The Seattle Women's Commission was established in 1970 to provide advice to the Mayor, City Council, and other departments regarding women's issues. The Commission's mission is to establish goals, priorities, and immediate action objectives in alleviating discrimination against women. The Commission originally gave direction to the Seattle Women's Division of the Office of Human Resources in the Executive Department. A reorganization in 1973 created the Office of Women's Rights which now provides staff support for the Commission.

Minutes and agendas of the Seattle Women's Commission and its committees.

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Incoming and outgoing correspondence of the SWC. Arranged chronologically.

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Reports, resumes, appointments, by-laws, mailing lists, training materials, and newspaper clippings relating to the administration of the Seattle Women's Commission.

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