News for Immediate Release
Human Relations Commission Names New Montgomery County Advisors
Harrisburg – The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission today announced new members and officers for its Montgomery County Advisory Council.
One of six advisory councils statewide, the group advises the state civil rights commission on discrimination issues and barriers to equal opportunity in Montgomery County. Advisory councils also work with the commission to raise public awareness of civil rights.
Members and officers include executives and community leaders in mental health, human resources, community development, public education, higher education and religious ministry. Rev. Charles W. Quann of Spring House was selected to serve as the council’s new chairman.
Quann replaces Andrea Lawful-Trainer of Glenside, who served as chair since January of 2012, and remains on the council.
“Equal opportunity is crucial to Pennsylvania’s economic prosperity,” Executive Director JoAnn Edwards said. “The dedicated volunteers on our advisory councils help spread that message in their communities and increase our capacity for civil rights education.”
The commission is pleased to partner with influential community leaders who share our vision of Pennsylvania as a state that embraces diversity as the foundation for our mutual economic and educational success.”
Advisory council members are volunteers, selected for their community involvement and support of the underlying principles of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and Fair Educational Opportunities Act.
The commission appoints members to serve for three-year terms and appoints a chairperson annually. Council members elect other officers annually.
Past activities of the Montgomery County Advisory Council have included public forums on issues ranging from community engagement in public education to discrimination against Muslims.
Meeting schedules and information about advisory councils are online at www.phrc.state.pa.us.
Editor’s Note: Following is a list of new and existing council members, officers, their hometowns and positions.
Officers:
Chairman – Rev. Charles W. Quann, Spring House; pastor, Bethlehem Baptist Church
Vice-chair – Rhoda Indictor, Jenkintown; nonprofit development, diversity, leadership and strategic planning consultant
First Vice-chair – Rose A. Makofske, Bryn Mawr, director of education and diversity initiatives, Montgomery County Community College
Secretary – Carmina Taylor, Plymouth Meeting, staff facilitator, It Takes a Village, Inc.
Treasurer – Andrea Lawful-Trainer, Glenside; principal & CEO, Children and Parental Enrichment Services (CAPES)
New members:
Rev. Alexander A. M. Aimette, Abington; senior pastor, Abington Baptist Church
Jerome F. Coleman, Cheltenham; pastor, First Baptist Church of Crestmont
Mary Pat Kessler, Abington; vice president, Willis Human Capital Practice
Susan Silverman LaDuca, Huntingdon Valley; family therapist, Center for Contextual Therapy at Philadelphia
Christopher W. McGinley, Philadelphia; superintendent, Lower Merion School District
Dr. Karen Weaver, Philadelphia; associate professor, Drexel University
Barbara J. Williams, Roslyn; CEO, The Williams Group Consultants
Returning members:
Margot Clark, Willow Grove; retired educator
Dr. Darlene Davis, Upper Dublin; retired school superintendent
Jessica Hickman-Schneider, Gilbertsville; volunteer disability rights advocate
Dr. Michael Pladus, Maple Glenn; superintendent, Upper Dublin School District
Gioia Smith, Ambler; retired educator
Emeritus members:
Dr. Sharon Richardson, Malvern
Evelyn Warner, North Wales
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