About the Commission for Women
Upon completion of a 1974 study on the status of women, the Alexandria City Council established the Commission for Women in order to eliminate gender discrimination and to encourage equal opportunity for women in all aspects of their lives. Today, the Commission's members continue to provide advice and consultation to City Council on issues concerning women.
Emily Eckert
Emily was appointed to the Alexandria Commission for Women in October 2021. Emily is a women's health policy professional with 8+ years of experience in the nonprofit sector and the federal government. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Emily has been a Virginian since 2015 and has called Alexandria home since 2019. She received her B.A. from Allegheny College and her M.S. in health policy from George Mason University.
Jennifer (Jenn) Stowe
Jenn Stowe was first appointed to the Alexandria Commission for Women in March 2021. She was just reappointed to her second term in March 2024. Jenn has lived in the City of Alexandria for 32 years; she raised her daughter here. She served on the Commission on the Survivor Support Committee. She also serves on the Alexandria Commission on Aging and acts as liaison between the two Commissions. She spent nearly 25 years volunteering with the Alexandria Domestic Violence program. She currently serves on the Leadership Board of Washington Street United Methodist Church in Alexandria. Professionally Jenn is Vice President, Government Relations for The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI). Prior to CRI, she worked on international advocacy for the Chlorine Chemistry Council at the Chemical Manufacturers Association. Immediately following her graduation from the Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Spanish and Latin American Studies, she moved to Mexico to volunteer at an orphanage for 2 1/2 years. She speaks Spanish fluently. She is married to her husband, Lane. They have a toddler grandson and a 150-pound ball of floof, a Great Pyrenees named Otto.
Kafi A. Joseph
Kafi A. Joseph, an Army veteran, was appointed to the Alexandria Commission for Women in March 2024. A Virginia resident since 2008, she has called Alexandria home ever since. Kafi is passionate about advocating for women's rights, focusing on equity and empowerment.
She currently leads the Subcommittee on Membership and Volunteering and previously served on the Housing and Transportation Subcommittee. Kafi also serves on the leadership team for the Emily JT Perez Foundation, empowering middle school girls and supporting women veterans.
Kafi holds a B.S. from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, an M.S. in Systems Engineering from George Washington University, and an MBA from Georgetown University. Professionally, she brings value to clients and the Metro DC community through her work at Accenture.
Maxanne (Maxie) Witkin
Maxanne (Maxie) Witkin was appointed to the Alexandria Commission for Women in December 2021. She is a native Alexandrian and graduate of its public school system. Maxie is a nationally recognized expert on workplace discrimination and an energetic proponent of accountability, equity, and fairness in government.
Maxie is retired from the federal government where she served for over 35 years as an attorney and administrative judge. She is a graduate of Syracuse University and holds a graduate and law degree from George Washington University.
Her other volunteer affiliations include the Alexandria Bar Association, Alexandria Tutoring Consortium’s Book Buddies Program, and the Virginia State Bar Free Legal Answers Project. Maxie is the proud mother of two adult sons and lives in North Old Town.
Yvette Jiang
Yvette (she/her) was appointed to the Alexandria Commission for Women in October 2020. She holds a BA in Philosophy, MA in Conflict Resolution and an MBA. She is a finance professional at Georgetown University. Yvette serves on the DASH Bus Advisory Committee and was a member of the Duke Street Transitway Advisory Group. Yvette is a graduate from the Alexandria City Academy and Alexandria Eco-City Academy.
Alexandria Commission for Women Status of Women Report
View the Alexandria Commission for Women Status of Women Report. For more information or to join an Alexandria Board or Commission, contact the Alexandria Clerk of the Council at 703.746.3975. To contact the Commission for Women, send an email.
Commission for Women Meetings
The Commission for Women is composed of 15 volunteers, appointed by City Council, and an Executive Director from City staff. The Commission meets the second Tuesday of every month, from September through June, at 7 p.m. in room 2000 at City Hall. All Commission meetings are open to the public. Residents are welcome to attend meetings.
Commission sub-committees include data collection and assessment, events and programs, and public policy and advocacy.
Commission for Women Initiatives
Commission efforts are largely centered on:
(1) Supporting existing City programs that focus on women, specifically: Domestic Violence Program (DVP), Sexual Assault Center (SAC), Reproductive Health and Alexandria Campaign on Adolescent Pregnancy (ACAP), Affordable Housing and Transportation.
(2) Providing guidance and advice to the City on relevant legislation and public policy issues.
(3) Sponsoring awareness and outreach events, including the Salute to Women Awards Program and Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.
(4) The preservation and promotion of women’s history in Alexandria through the Women’s History Tour and related projects.
In addition, the Commission stays active on affairs within the city. Commissioners learn about and provide insight on local issues by attending Council meetings, hearings and symposia, inviting speakers to Commission meetings, and attending educational and civic programs within the City and around the region.
Commission for Women Events and Contributions
The Commission for Women sponsors annual community events, such as the Salute to Women Awards and Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.
Other activities throughout the year include:
- Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities in October
- Outreach at the Old Town Alexandria Farmer's Market
- Celebrating International Women's Day
- Supporting various events such as the Domestic Violence Safehouse grocery store fundraisers and the Domestic Violence Children's Holiday Party
Volunteer Opportunities
Opportunities to volunteer for the Commission for Women include:
- Children's Holiday Party (children’s gift donations)
- Serving as a tour guide for our Women’s History Tour
To learn more about volunteer opportunities please email your contact information, interests and availability to the Commission.