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The Human Rights Commission (HRC) 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.

They address 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.

Membership

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) consists of 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.

NamePositionTerm StartTerm End
Verda WashingtonChair4/25/20232/28/2026
Mona BaghdadiVice Chair3/1/20242/28/2027
Lisa HamlinMember3/1/20242/28/2027
C. Ivan JohnsonMember4/25/20232/29/2026
Mary Ann LaraMember3/1/20242/29/2028
Lohitvenkatesh OswalMember3/1/20242/28/2027
Scott SchubertSecretary3/1/20242/28/2027
VacantYouth Member
VacantMember
VacantMember
VacantMember
VacantMember

Commission Application
Volunteer for Membership on the Commission

Agendas and Minutes

Meeting DateAgendaMinutes
January 2025AgendaMinutes
February 2025Agenda Minutes
March 2025Agenda
April 2025Agenda
May 2025
June 2025
July 2025
August 2025
September 2025
October 2025
November 2025
December 2025
Meeting DateAgendaMinutes

January 8, 2024

Agenda

Minutes

February 12, 2024

Agenda

Minutes



March 11, 2024

Special Meeting March 27, 2024




Agenda

Notice and Agenda


Minutes

April 8, 2024

Agenda

Minutes

May 13, 2024

Agenda

Minutes

June 10, 2024

Agenda

Minutes

July 8, 2024

Agenda

Minutes



August 12, 2024

*Study Session Cancelled




Special Meeting

Agenda


Minutes

September 9, 2024



Special Meeting

Agenda


Minutes

October 5, 2024



Special Meeting

Agenda


Minutes

October 14, 2024

Special Meeting


November 4, 2024

Agenda

Supporting Document


Minutes

November 11, 2024 (Veteran's Day - to be rescheduled)

Special Meeting


December 9, 2024


Meeting DateAgendaMinutes

January 19, 2023

Agenda

Minutes

February 16, 2023

Agenda

Minutes

March 23, 2023

Agenda

Minutes

April 20, 2023

Agenda

Minutes



April 26, 2023

Special Joint Meeting

(Meeting Notice)




Agenda



May 18, 2023

Agenda

Minutes

June 12, 2023

Agenda

Minutes

July 2023

Agenda

Minutes

August 14, 2023



Agenda

SPECIAL MEETING




Minutes

Minutes


September 11, 2023

Agenda

Minutes

October 2023

Agenda

Minutes

November 2023

Agenda

No Quorum, No Minutes

December 2023

Agenda

Minutes

Staff Support

Staffing support to the Human Rights Commission is provided by the Neighborhood and Community Services.

Meeting Information

Meeting Date and Time:
Second Monday of the Month
5:30 p.m.

Hybrid (Virtual and In-Person Options)

In-Person
Tacoma Municipal Building
747 Market Street, Room 220-A
Tacoma, WA 98402

Zoom (See agendas for details)