In recent years, the Indiana Commission for Women has thrown a lovely event to honor Indiana women with Torchbearer Awards.
A plated meal in a well-appointed banquet room or historical setting; women coming up on stage to be recognized for their accomplishments and efforts. It was the highlight of the commission’s year.
But this year, there was no public event. No cheesecake dessert or stage or round of applause from hundreds of attendees. Instead, the five Torchbearer honorees received their awards in a private meeting in the governor’s office. Reporters weren’t even invited.
“We believe this format was best suited to give these exceptional women a personal audience with the governor and allow time for conversations about the important work they do,” said Griffin Reid, press secretary for Gov. Mike Braun.
But it’s really a part of a larger move away from highlighting women and minorities, including state contracting programs.
The commission has been around since 1992 by executive order and since 1996 by statute. Its mission is to “elevate the well-being of women in Indiana by understanding their needs and supporting their active involvement in all areas of society.”
Similarly, the Torchbearer Awards were created in 2004 to celebrate the achievements of talented women across diverse industries and roles with Indiana.
“A Torchbearer epitomizes a trailblazer who, through her courage, resilience, and compassion, emerges as a guiding light. Leading by example, she sparks inspiration, igniting a flame that illuminates pathways for others to follow,” the website says.
“Titled ‘Torchbearers,’ these remarkable women carry forth the torch for Indiana’s women to follow. The statue of Victory atop the Soldiers and Sailors Monument at Monument Circle was chosen to symbolize these awards. Victory embodies the character and achievements of our esteemed recipients, while the flame she holds aloft not only beckons other women to follow but signifies the brilliance Hoosier women have brought to our state and communities.”
Before Braun took office in January, the Indiana Commission for Women had its own line item in the state budget of $113,601 annually. That’s now gone.
The women’s commission is ostensibly part of the Civil Rights Commission now, which provides administrative support for the group and four other cultural commissions.
The other four, though, kept their funding line items — albeit slightly reduced. The Civil Rights Commission also had its budget cut by lawmakers and the governor.
In addition, the Indiana Commission for Women hasn’t met all year — aside from a January meeting that was scheduled before Braun took over.
Brooklyn Marrs, from the civil rights commission, said a May meeting didn’t have a quorum but the executive committee met in July.
“The Indiana General Assembly did not approve an allocation for the Indiana Commission for Women for this budget biennium. There are no specific staff members assigned to the ICW, but the Indiana Civil Rights Commission team is providing administrative support.
It’s a shame that we have reached a point where programs to honor or recognize women have been scuttled.
It was only 100 years ago that women were able to vote. Heck, it was 1988 when Congress eliminated the requirement that women have their husband or another man co-sign for business loans. 1988!
It seems obvious to me that women have some more progress to make before we can reach true equality, and if that means an annual public event to tout successes I’m all for it.
Niki Kelly is editor-in-chief of indianacapitalchronicle.com, where this commentary first appeared. She has covered Indiana politics and the Indiana Statehouse since 1999 for publications including the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette. Send comments to editorial@therepublic.com.
