On March 18, 1975, a motion was introduced to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to prepare a draft ordinance to establish an independent County Commission for Women. A 15-member commission was created to represent the special interests and concerns of women of all races, ethnic and social backgrounds, religious convictions, sexual orientation and social circumstances.
As part of his statement, Supervisor Edmund D. Edelman said: "Although women represent a majority of the County's population, tradition and prejudice, along with social, political and economic restrictions have resulted in women being denied by virtue of their status of being women, certain basic human rights. The denial of these fundamental rights has created inequities in economic, political, legal and social status, thereby preventing the development of women's individual potential and the ability to contribute as fully as possible to the economic and cultural well being of the County of Los Angeles.
In view of the long standing tradition of according women an inferior status in society, nothing less than a concerted effort at all levels of government will remove the barriers of discrimination and prejudice and result in true equality."