Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958, Nydia Negron (212) 788-9364, or Andres Roura (212) 306-7530
"I am pleased to appoint these distinguished citizens to the Human Rights Commission," said Mayor Giuliani. "Ms. Conlin has served with distinction in the fields of health, education, electoral activism and women's issues. Ms. Kee, a teacher by profession, has made significant contributions to her community where she has been very active serving the poor. She has been involved in innovative housing and health projects for seniors. I know they will strengthen the Commission's vital role in guaranteeing civil rights in our City."
Commission Chair Marta B. Varela said, "I look forward to working with Commissioners Conlin and Kee in continuing our fight against illegal discrimination and standing up for the civil liberties of all New Yorkers. On behalf of the Commissioners and the agency staff, I welcome them to the Commission on Human Rights."
Kelli M. Conlin is the Executive Director of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, New York State affiliate, and a former President of the New York City Chapter of the National Organization for Women. She holds a Masters of Science in Journalism from Northwestern University in Illinois and a B.A. from Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana. Ms. Conlin has been a member of a number of Mayoral boards including the Commission on the Status of Women and the Mayoral Transition Council on Health Issues. She has been the recipient of various awards including this year's National Organization for Women Susan B. Anthony Award and the 1993 Empire State Agenda Merit of Distinction Award. Ms. Conlin's appointment is for the remainder of a three-year term which commenced on December 27, 1994 and will expire December 26, 1997.
Virginia M. Kee holds a B.A. in Humanities and a Masters degree in Secondary Education from Hunter College of the City University of New York. Until 1995 she taught at the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Intermediate School 131 in Manhattan. Her current civic activities include membership in New York City Temporary Task Force on Child Care Funding and as a board member of the Big Apple Greeters, which bolsters business and tourism in New York City. Ms. Kee is a past chair of the Chinese-American Planning Council, Inc. She was inducted into the Hunter College Hall of Fame in 1985. In 1978, Ms. Kee received the Fifty Extraordinary Women Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews. Ms. Kee's appointment is for the remainder of a three-year term which commenced on December 27, 1995 and will expire December 26, 1998.
The Commission on Human Rights is composed of 15 members who represent New York's diverse communities. The members are appointed by the Mayor to staggered three-year terms. One of the Commissioners is designated by the Mayor as Chair and Marta B. Varela currently serves in that position.
The New York City Commission on Human Rights enforces the City's Human Rights Law which prohibits discrimination based on race, creed, color, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, gender (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, disability, lawful occupation, arrest or conviction record, marital status, family status, and retaliation. The law prohibits discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations, and bias-related harassment.