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March 2023| Issue XXXVVVVII | |
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“When day comes we step out of the shade,
aflame and unafraid.
The new dawn blooms as we free it.
For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it,
if only we’re brave enough to be it.”
- Amanda Gorman, The Hill We Climb
Women’s History Month is observed annually from March 1- March 31. This year the National Women’s History Alliance recognizes women, past and present, who have been active in all forms of media and storytelling, including print, radio, TV, stage, screen, blogs, podcasts, news, and social media. The theme “honors women in every community who have devoted their lives and talents to producing art, pursuing truth, and reflecting the human condition decade after decade.”
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Hnin Khaing confirmed as Director of the DC Office of Human Rights
On February 8, 2023, the DC Council confirmed Hnin Khaing as the Director of the DC Office of Human Rights (OHR). She was appointed by Mayor Bowser on October 28, 2022. With her confirmation, she becomes the first Asian American Director in OHR’s history.
“I am so humbled and honored to have this opportunity to serve the residents and visitors of DC in my new capacity as director and safeguarding their civil rights through fair enforcement of local and federal laws,” said Director Hnin Khaing. “I want to thank Mayor Muriel Bowser for appointing me and I am excited about the years ahead to lead this vital District agency to new heights in the future.”
Please join us in congratulating Director Khaing!
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Director's Note
Dear Residents, Neighbors, and Friends:
In 1964, among other things, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act prohibited employment discrimination based race, color, religion, national origin, and sex, but “sex” was added as an afterthought. Unfortunately, almost 60 years later, sex discrimination, which includes sexual harassment, still exists, especially in employment and in certain male dominated sectors.
In 2017, the “Me Too” movement highlighted the prevalence of sexual harassment in what we thought was the modern and progressive society of the 21st century. In the District, we believe in our DC values of treating everyone equally, including not being subjected to any form of sexual or sex harassment. In December 2017, Mayor Bowser issued a new more robust Sexual Harassment Policy in the District government that set out clear procedures for reporting harassment and sent a clear message that no form of sexual harassment is ever tolerated in the workplace. And, recently, in October 2022, DC enhanced our own anti-discrimination law prohibiting harassment by spelling out in the law what constitutes harassment and sexual harassment. As these new provisions went into effect, OHR issued an Enforcement Guidance to explain further and you can access that here.
Another area of note is that women often face inappropriate or unlawful questions during the hiring process and some even reconsider whether to wear their wedding ring. Examples include questions like: 1) Do you have children? How old are they? Do you have a babysitter? Or what kind of childcare plan do you have? 2) Are you married? What does your husband/partner do? These questions may be unlawful and form a claim for sex discrimination, if used to deny or limit employment opportunities or if only posed to female applicants. Under the DC Human Rights Act, in addition to sex discrimination, the latter kind of questions, if used to deny employment opportunities, may also form discrimination based on one’s marital status.
OHR investigates, adjudicates, and prosecutes many different local and federal laws and it is important that you know your rights in the District. You can familiarize yourself with these laws by visiting Human Rights Laws, Regulations, and Policies; OHR Fact Sheets; and OHR Enforcement Guidances. Other District government resources include Mayor’s Office on Women and Policy Initiatives. You can check out their activities here.
Despite ongoing challenges, women have persevered and have taken lead roles in many aspects of our society. This month we honor women who have been active in all forms of media and storytelling. In DC, we celebrate women like Mary P. Burrill (1881-1946), an African American playwright during the Harlem Renaissance; Gail Simone, who is best known for her work in comics on DC’s Birds of Prey, Batgirl, and for being the longest running female writer on Wonder Woman; Sally Buzbee, executive editor of the Washington Post, Francesa Zambello, the artistic director of the Washington National Opera; Chita Rivera, a singer, dancer, and actor who starred on Broadway in West Side Story, Chicago and Kiss of the Spider Woman; Denyce Graves, an opera singer; actresses Goldie Hawn, Taraji P. Henson, Regina Hall; and pioneering women such as Maureen Bunyan, Renee Poussaint, JC Hayward, and Meryl Comer who changed local tv.
Yours in service,
Hnin Khaing
Director
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Trait of the Month: Marital Status | |
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Marital Status is a protected trait under the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977. It is defined as the status of being “married, in a domestic partnership, single, divorced, separated or widowed, and the usual conditions associated therewith, including pregnancy or parenthood.” It is protected across all four enforcement areas (educational institutions, employment, housing, and public accommodations and government services).
DID YOU KNOW: From the late 19th century through the 1970s, married women were restricted from working through a practice called the marriage bar. Although generally the Bar encompassed all discriminatory hiring practices against married women, there were two common variations in the 1900s. The ‘hire bar’ prevented hiring married women while the ‘retain bar’ prevented retaining married workers. These practices primarily affected educated, middle-class married white women who worked in clerical or teaching occupations. Lower class women and women of color who worked in manufacturing, waitressing, or domestic service were often unaffected by these practices.
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OHR is pleased to announce the following employment opportunities for March 2023.
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Active Vacancies
- Attorney Advisor- Litigation (Focused) (Grade 12)
- Future Vacancies
- Associate Director: Communication & Education (Grade 15)
- Associate Director: Enforcement (Grade 15)
- Associate Director: Compliance & Equity Programs (Grade 15)
- EEO Compliance and Training Officer (Grade 13)
- Equal Opportunity Specialist/Investigator (Grade 11)
- Equal Opportunity Specialist/Investigator (Grade 12)
- Information Technology (IT) Specialist (Grade 13)
- Data Analyst (Grade 11/12)
For more information, please email ohr.humanresources@dc.gov.
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OHR Implements NEW Protections for LGBTQ Seniors and Seniors Living with HIV
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OHR began its TOT to release its first cohort of trainers to train staff in long-term care facilities.
The DC Office of Human Rights (OHR) has implemented its first “Train the Trainers” session to certify its first cohort under the Care for LGBTQ Seniors and Seniors with HIV Amendment Act of 2020 (Care for Seniors Act). The Act expands protections afforded under the DC Human Rights Act of 1977 by outlining specific long-term care practices that are prohibited as a form of discrimination against LGBTQ and seniors living with HIV.
We are seeking dedicated individuals who can also speak other languages, are knowledgeable of HIV/AIDS and the LGBTQ communities and are interested in learning more about human rights.
For more information on the Care for Seniors Act at OHR, or to apply for our certification program, please visit:
https://ohr.dc.gov/page/care-seniors, email us at careforsenior.ohr@dc.gov, or scan this QR code:
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OHR Open House
Thursday, April 16th
12 pm
Marion Barry Building, Old Council Chambers
441 4th St. NW, First Floor
Please join us at the DC Office of Human Rights' first event for Fair Housing Month 2023!
Come learn about the laws we enforce related to housing, meet OHR staff, and enjoy a light lunch.
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Women's History Month Related Events
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INTERSECTIONS Festival, Feb. 18-March 26, Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H. Street NE
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Wild Seeds of the Soufside, Feb. 18th- May 13th, Phillips@THEARC, 1801 Mississippi Ave SE
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Black Like Me, through April 15th, M-F 8 am - 7pm, 1111 Pennsylvania Ave NW
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Shout, Sister, Shout!, March 15- May 13th, Ford's Theatre, 511 10th Street NW
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Harlem Globetrotters, March 18, Capital One Area, 601 F Street NW
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DC Office of Human Rights | 202.727.4559 | ohr.dc.gov | |
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