In 2005, the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Heinz College of Public Policy published a study entitled “Recommendations for Implementing an Inclusive City and County Board Appointment Policy.” That study, based on previous research by the Pittsburgh Coro Center for Civic Leadership, had two objectives: to determine the demographics of boards, authorities, and commissions (BACs) in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, and to issue recommendations on how to make appointments to BACs in the area more transparent and inclusive. As a result of the CMU study, the City of Pittsburgh passed Ordinance 35, a fair representation law that followed the study’s recommendations. Allegheny County operates under a similar law.
It has been ten years since the study and subsequent passage of Ordinance 35. It is the intention of the current research to examine the results of the CMU study, to determine the current demographics of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County BACs, to discover if the passage of Ordinance 35 has indeed improved the representation of women and minorities on BACs, and if not, to provide new recommendations for the City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County to achieve representation in BACs that adequately represents the population of the region.
Carlow University has partnered with the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh to examine the barriers that women and minorities face in being appointed as members of city and county boards in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, and to make recommendations for the future in order to achieve representation of women and minorities on boards. Through an analysis of relevant literature and board member lists, as well as a survey distributed through the YWCA, the current research intends to provide a follow-up to the CMU study, examining ten years of progress, or lack thereof, and the future of representation of women and minorities on city and county boards.
Table of Contents
The YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh Mission
Gender and Racial Diversity on City and County Boards: A Ten-Year Retrospective
Abstract
The Carnegie Mellon Study
Ordinance 35
Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Demographics and BAC Membership, 2006-2014
BAC Membership in Pittsburgh under Ravenstahl.
BAC Membership in Allegheny County under Onorato.
BAC Membership in Pittsburgh under Peduto.
BAC Membership in Allegheny County under Fitzgerald.
BAC Membership in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Today
Method
Results
Demographic Analysis
Descriptive Analysis
Bivariate Analysis
Discussion
Limitations
Recommendations
Advocacy Project
Board Training Program
Distribution of Literature
Carlow’s Contribution
Distribution of Literature
Informative Presentation (Scholarship Day 2016)
Research Objectives and Themes
This research aims to evaluate the progress of gender and racial representation on public boards, authorities, and commissions (BACs) in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County ten years after the initial 2005 Carnegie Mellon University study. The primary objective is to determine if legislative efforts like Ordinance 35 have successfully addressed the underrepresentation of women and minorities, and to identify existing barriers that prevent diverse groups from obtaining board appointments.
- Analysis of longitudinal trends in BAC membership demographics.
- Evaluation of the impact of local government fair representation legislation.
- Assessment of public knowledge regarding board application processes.
- Identification of systemic and social barriers to diverse board participation.
- Development of advocacy and training strategies to enhance civic engagement.
Excerpt from the Book
BAC Membership in Pittsburgh under Peduto.
Mayor William Peduto, then a City Councilman, was the one who introduced Ordinance 35. However, when the current researchers reached out to his office to request the required diversity reports, no response was forthcoming. Using member lists from the city’s website, the current researchers compiled a listing of BAC members by gender. Information about the races of members of city BACs was unavailable. Since previous research has shown that African Americans are represented on boards in accordance with their percentage of the population, the current research focuses on gender diversity on BACs.
When Mayor Peduto took office in 2014, he requested the resignation of all prior mayoral appointments to ten city BACs: the Urban Redevelopment Authority, Housing Authority, City Planning Commission, Allegheny Regional Asset District, Allegheny County Sanitary Authority, Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, Parking Authority, Sports and Exhibition Authority, Stadium Authority and Zoning Board of Adjustment (Balingit, 2014). He then appointed 45 new individuals in to eleven BACs: ALCOSAN, Allegheny Regional Asset District, Planning Commission, Housing Authority, Parking Authority, Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, Sports and Exhibition Authority, Stadium Authority, Urban Redevelopment Authority, Zoning Board of Adjustment, and Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (McNulty, 2014). This is the most diverse group in the history of the City of Pittsburgh, with one quarter of the groups being African American and 55% being female (McNulty, 2014). Bill Peduto seems committed to increasing representation of women and African Americans on his boards, authorities, and commissions, though there is no information on representation of other races. His own team is made up of four women and three men (McNulty, 2014).
Regardless, women are still underrepresented on Pittsburgh BACs (See Table 7). There has been no improvement since data was collected from Ravenstahl’s office by PublicSource in 2012. Women are still underrepresented by 14%.
Summary of Chapters
The Carnegie Mellon Study: Reviews the 2005 findings on board demographics and the subsequent legislative recommendations aimed at improving inclusivity in local appointments.
Ordinance 35: Details the legislative response to the 2005 study, specifically the fair representation law passed by the City of Pittsburgh to increase transparency and diversity.
Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Demographics and BAC Membership, 2006-2014: Provides a longitudinal analysis comparing population statistics with the gender and racial makeup of board appointees across different mayoral and executive administrations.
Method: Outlines the cross-sectional survey design used to assess public knowledge about boards and the barriers to participation faced by women and people of color.
Results: Presents the findings from the survey, including demographic breakdowns of respondents and statistical analysis of public attitudes toward board accessibility and representation.
Discussion: Interprets the survey findings, confirming that public lack of knowledge about board procedures remains a primary barrier to diversity, and addresses the study's limitations.
Recommendations: Proposes actionable advocacy and educational strategies, such as board training workshops and literature distribution, to empower underrepresented groups in the appointment process.
Keywords
Allegheny County, authorities, boards, city government, county government, commissions, diversity, gender diversity, Pittsburgh, public representation, civic engagement, appointment policy, local government, social barriers, demographic analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The work examines the gender and racial diversity of public boards, authorities, and commissions in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County over a ten-year period following the implementation of fair representation legislation.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The study focuses on the effectiveness of local government policies in promoting board diversity, the transparency of appointment processes, and the role of education in increasing civic participation.
What is the main objective of the study?
The primary goal is to determine if board representation has improved since 2005 and to provide recommendations to ensure that these boards accurately reflect the region's diverse population.
Which research methodology was employed?
The researchers utilized a cross-sectional survey design, collecting data from YWCA clients and newsletter subscribers to analyze public knowledge, perceived barriers, and attitudes regarding board participation.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers historical legislative context (Ordinance 35), demographic trends across different administrations, and an analysis of survey results regarding systemic barriers and potential solutions.
Which keywords best describe this research?
Relevant keywords include Pittsburgh, gender diversity, public boards, appointment policy, civic engagement, demographic analysis, and local government representation.
Why did the researchers focus on gender diversity specifically?
While racial diversity was found to be generally consistent with population demographics, the research identified that women remain significantly underrepresented on public boards, prompting a closer look at gender-specific barriers.
How did Ordinance 35 impact the city's approach to board appointments?
Ordinance 35 mandated increased online accessibility, the publication of member lists, and the creation of annual demographic reports to ensure transparency and accountability in the appointment process.
What do the findings suggest regarding the "lack of knowledge" barrier?
The findings indicate that a significant number of residents, including women, lack awareness about how to apply for board positions, suggesting that educational outreach is essential for diversifying these bodies.
- Quote paper
- B.A.- Political Science Leah Propst (Author), 2015, Gender Diversity on Public Boards in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. A Ten-Year Retrospective, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/351118
