Sections
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Who We Are 

The Department of Status of Women

Established in 1975, the San Francisco Commission on the Status of Women originated in the women’s movement thanks to the strong advocacy of leading local feminists. The 1994 City Charter created the Department on the Status of Women (DOSW) and entrusts the agency with monitoring the status of women and girls throughout San Francisco, investigating inequalities and proposing remedies. 

Working at the intersection of health, safety, socioeconomics, politics and gender, today’s DOSW has an expanded portfolio that prioritizes improving the whole lives of women through: Health & Safety, Economic Security and Civic Engagement & Political Empowerment.

We serve as the City’s Watch Dog on all issues related to gender parity; Chief Advocate for equity in service delivery, employment opportunities, leadership development and budget allocation; and Community Convener - bringing people together inside and outside the City to collaborate on ideas, strategy and impactful action to help us transform into a fully gender equitable City. Everyone has a role to play to ensure we apply a gender lens across City operations to actualize this goal.

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Our Mission 

DOSW Mission


Tasked with helping to transform San Francisco into a fully gender equitable City, we champion the equitable treatment and advancement of women and girls across social, economic and political indexes through policies, programs and legislation, both within City and County government and in the private sector.

Our Programs

DOSW Programs


We use a human rights framework to guide our policies and programs. Our portfolio includes programming in the areas of health and safety, economic security, civic engagement and political empowerment, anti-human trafficking and eradicating all forms of gender-based violence.

Our Vision 

DOSW Vision


We envision a world where equality for women, girls and nonbinary people is woven into every fabric of our society. We have full agency and autonomy over our bodies and the power to shape and control our futures and our livelihoods.

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Our Mandate

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The City Charter entrusts us to monitor the status of women and girls throughout San Francisco, to investigate inequalities and to propose remedies.

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Executive Summary

DOSW logo

This executive summary outlines the strategic objectives and initiatives that guide our work. The Department’s approach has been endorsed by the Commission and aligns with the Mayor’s budget and policy priorities.

Download the Executive Summary

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Dr Kimberly Ellis

Kimberly Ellis, J.D. 
Director 

 

Joe Macaluso

Dr. Joe Macaluso 
Deputy Director / Chief of Staff

 

Dominique Blakely

Dominique Blakely
Executive Management Assistant
Phone: 415-252-3205

 

My Lan Do Nguyen

Dr. My Lan Do Nguyen
Finance and Administration Manager

 

Naz Rydan-Foster

Naz Rydhan-Foster
Senior Program Manager 

 

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Dr Alfredo Huante

Dr. Alfredo Huante
Research, Data, and Evaluation Analyst

 

Hannah Cotter

Hannah Cotter
Program Manager, Health and Safety 

 

Denise Heitzenroder

Denise Heitzenroder
Project Manager for Strategic Initiatives 

 

Febbie Valderrrama

Febbie Valderrama
Grant and Fiscal Associate

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Our Role

 

To transform San Francisco into a fully gender equitable City, we will unlock the potential of the City and County of San Francisco to better serve women, girls and nonbinary people by incorporating a strong gender lens in City government’s internal operations and policies as well as the City government’s external policies, programs and partnerships.

 

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Watchdog

We will serve as a watchdog and accountability partner to all CCSF departments and agencies as it relates to our commitment to gender equity across all indexes. 

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Chief Advocate

We will advocate for equity in service delivery, employment opportunities, leadership development and budget allocation and champion policies that best support women, girls and nonbinary people to thrive.

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Community Convener

We will work in close partnership with the Mayor’s Office, the Board of Supervisors, City agencies and other stakeholders, bringing people together to collaborate on ideas, strategy and impactful action.

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Our Commission

 

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An illustration of a group of women

 

The Commission on the Status of Women in San Francisco ensures equal opportunities for women and girls across economic, social, political, and educational domains.

Established by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1975, it continues its mission through the City Department on the Status of Women, created by voter-approved Proposition E in 1994.

Visit the Commissions' website to find out more including, members, upcoming meetings and past meetings recordings.

Commission on Status of Women

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Sophia Andary

Sophia Andary - President
Co-Founder Women's March
 

Ani Rivera

Ani Rivera - Vice President
Board Member / Treasurer
 

Dr Shokooh Miry

Dr. Shokooh Miry
Psychologist
 

Dr Raveena Rihal

Dr. Raveena Rihal
Physician
 

Sharong Chung

Sharon Chung
Administrator
 

Anne Moses

Dr. Anne Moses
Non-Profit, Philanthropic and Political Consultant
 

Diane Jones Lowrey

Diane Jones Lowrey
Global Brand Marketing / Social Impact Leader
 

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Newsletter

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