Establishment
The Human Rights Commission was created by the Tacoma City Council to study and investigate problems of prejudice, bigotry, and discrimination and to encourage and coordinate the implementation of programs consistent with the needs and the rights of all residents of the City of Tacoma.
Membership
The Human Rights Commission (HRC) consists of fifteen (15) members who are recommended by the Community Vitality and Safety Committee (CVS) and appointed by the City Council to serve in a quasi-judicial capacity related to civil rights complaints and related issues. The membership term is three years and is composed of representatives of the general public; employer groups; the housing industry; and labor, religious, racial and ethnic, disabled and women's groups in the City.
Duties and Responsibilities
The HRC studies, investigates and mediates community issues that may result from discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or disability.
Commission Members
Verda Washington |
First Vice Chair |
4/25/2023 |
2/28/2026 |
Mona Baghdadi |
Member |
3/1/2024 |
2/28/2027 |
Lisa Hamlin |
Member |
3/1/2024 |
2/28/2027 |
Mary Ann Lara |
Member |
3/1/2024 |
2/29/2028 |
C. Ivan Johnson |
Member |
4/25/2023 |
2/28/2026 |
Lillian Norris |
Member |
4/25/2023 |
2/28/2026 |
Lily Nop |
Youth Member |
11/28/2023 |
2/28/2025 |
Kelly Oshiro |
Member |
3/1/2024 |
2/29/2028 |
Lohitvenkatesh Oswal |
Member |
3/1/2024 |
2/28/2027 |
Scott Schubert |
Member |
3/1/2024 |
2/28/2027 |
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Staff Support
Staffing support to the Human Rights Commission is provided by the Neighborhood and Community Services.
Community Resources
Explore our directory of community resources dedicated to protecting and promoting human rights in and around Tacoma.
City of Tacoma Employment Discrimination
Employment Discrimination in Tacoma - City of Tacoma
City of Tacoma Fair Housing
Fair Housing - City of Tacoma
EEOC
Home | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (eeoc.gov)
Fair Housing Center of Washington
Fair Housing Center (fhcwashington.org)
HUD
HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) |
Tacoma ProBono
Tacomaprobono Community Lawyers – Free Civil Legal Aid
Washington State Human Rights Commission
WSHRC | (wa.gov)
Washington State Law Help
WashingtonLawHelp.org | Helpful information about the law in Washington.