Wenham Established Human Rights Committee

WENHAM, MA — The Wenham Board of Selectmen acted last week to establish the Wenham Human Rights Committee.

The Committee was created in close collaboration with the Hamilton-Wenham Human Rights Coalition. The group will be comprised six at-large community members, as well as the chief of police or his designee, and will have a variety of responsibilities.

It will charged with recommending programs and initiatives that promote diversity, inclusion, awareness and anti-discrimination. Additionally, the Committee will work to promote a better understanding of diversity by working with human rights focused organizations in the area to develop a broad array of programming for members of the community.

The group will also be tasked with recommending policies to the Board of Selectmen, collaborating with human rights groups to address issues locally and regionally, and encouraging citizen attendance at events designed to raise awareness and promote inclusion. The Committee will also serve as a point of contact for residents or visitors to identify issues and concerns about discrimination or unequal treatment of individuals in Wenham.

“This effort is a testament to the collective understanding by so many stakeholders of the importance of making Wenham an equitable, just and welcoming place for all residents and visitors,” Town Administrator Ansaldi said. “I’m proud of Wenham’s continued commitment to diversity and inclusion, and am confident the Human Rights Committee will do important work that makes the community a better place.”

Members of the committee will be appointed by the Selectmen, initially as fellows and then for three year terms. The committee also will have the opportunity to appoint a non-voting student member who will serve for the duration of each school year.

“By creating the Wenham Human Rights Committee, it sends a clear message to the community that the Town of Wenham will not only protect human rights and civil liberties, but also denounces bigotry, hatred, and oppression. That’s incredibly powerful coming from local government,” said Anna Siedzik, President of the Hamilton-Wenham Human Rights Coalition, who worked with Town officials to create the Committee and finalize the enacting legislation.

To read the full committee charge, click here.