Who We Are and What We Do
The Northampton Human Rights Commission was established in 1998 by the City Council to advocate for the civil rights of all residents and visitors of the City. We respond to complaints made by persons in the city who feel that their human or civil rights under the law have been violated in Northampton. We make referrals to appropriate agencies, such as the Mass. Commission Against Discrimination, when necessary. The Northampton Human Rights Commission also works to raise awareness about human rights issues in the community through educational programming.
"It is the policy of the City of Northampton to uphold the human rights of all persons in Northampton and the free exercise and enjoyment of any and all rights and privileges secured by the Constitutions and Laws of the United States, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the City of Northampton. ...Towards that end, the Human Rights Commission will function as a facilitator of alternative dispute resolution rather than as an adjudicatory function.... [The Commission may] receive complaints of discrimination in the city in which the complained of actions may deny or tend to deny equal access or opportunity in matters of housing, employment, education, contracts, purchasing or public accommodations, the basis of: race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, ancestry, or disability, marital status, veteran status, receipt of public housing assistance, or because they have children."
--Human Rights Commission ordinance
Commissioners are community volunteers appointed by the mayor with confirmation by the Northampton City Council. Anyone residing in Northampton may apply. The Commission can have as many as 9 members.
Current Members
Heather Johnson, Chair
Carol Rinehart, Vice-chair
Johanna Rincon, Secretary
Wendy Berg
Syed Iqbal
Mia Kim
L'Tanya Robinson
Linda Stone
Recent Accomplishments
- Sojourner Truth Speech Chair Heather Johnson delivered speech at Sojourner Truth Day celebration (5/27/07)
- Inter-Faith Service o-sponsorship of an Inter-Faith Service of Justice and Reconciliation, part of Daley & Halligan Bicentennial Commemoration (6/5/06)
- Letter to the Editor Letter to the editor after hate crimes on Massasoit Street (5/6/06)
- Marching in the 2006 Pride March (photo below)
- Gender Identity Endorsement of adding gender identity and expression to the city's human rights ordinance, which became law in Northampton on 12/16/05
- Support at the city clerk's office on the first day of legalized same-sex marriages (May 2004)
- Support of the city's work to become and maintain itself as a Domestic Violence-Free Zone (2003-ongoing)
- Co-hosting of community discussions and study circles on racism (2003-2004)
- No Place For Hate Earning and sustaining our certification as a No Place for Hate Community by the Anti-Defamation League
- Community Events Co-sponsorship of other related Community Events
How We Can Help You
If you believe you have been the subject of discrimination in Northampton, we encourage you to contact us. Our help can take many forms, including referral to other appropriate agencies or dispute resolution. To submit an official complaint, use the complaint form available below or contact us for a form.
The Northampton Human Rights Commission also serves as a resource for human and civil rights issues. Through educational activities and collaborative efforts with other groups, we work to inform citizens of their human and civil rights, eliminate discrimination in the city and make Northampton an even better place to live, work and visit.
You may contact us by phone, email, or by attending a meeting. All meeting and contact info is below.
Meetings
Meetings are open to the public. Members of the Human Rights Commission meet at 7-9 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Meetings are held in the Hearing Room on the 2nd Floor of City Hall, 210 Main Street. Those who wish to submit complaints should do so using the complaint form, available at the bottom of this page or by contacting the mayor's office.
How to Join the Commission
New Members Needed Now
If you are interested in becoming a commissioner or in helping with a special project, please contact the mayor's office (contact info below) for information and an application. Anyone residing in Northampton may apply. In addition to attending meetings, membership may involve networking with other groups, helping to plan an event, writing a letter to the editor, or working with a committee to resolve a complaint.
Human Rights Commission Documents
Human Rights Commission Ordinance, 1998 (Amended 2005) (PDF)
Complaint Procedure (PDF) - appropriate complaints and how they are handled
Complaint Form (PDF) - complete this form to submit a complaint
How to Reach Us
Human Rights Commission
c/o Mayor's Office
City Hall
210 Main Street
Northampton, MA 01060
413-587-1249
mayor@northamptonma.gov