EEOC CHAIRWOMAN TO COMMEMORATE AGENCY'S 35TH ANNIVERSARY AT NATIONAL FEDERAL SECTOR PROGRAM IN BOSTON

BOSTON - Ida L. Castro, Chairwoman of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), will deliver the keynote address at the agency's annual Federal Sector Technical Assistance Program on Wednesday, August 30, at 9:30 a.m., at the Westin Copley Place Hotel, 10 Huntington Avenue.

Chairwoman Castro's speech is the centerpiece of the week-long training program on the federal sector discrimination complaint process for EEOC officials from field offices across the country.  The program, composed of in-depth workshops and seminars, is sponsored by EEOC District Offices in New York, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Cleveland.  During the trip, Ms. Castro will receive a proclamation and honors from Massachusetts state and local government officials in commemoration of EEOC's 35th anniversary.

"I look forward to visiting Boston and participating in this important program," said Ms. Castro.  "In addition to discussing agency initiatives to improve and streamline the federal workforce discrimination complaint process, we will identify past accomplishments and future challenges.  We recognize that this year marks a milestone in America's continuing efforts to eradicate workplace bias."

On July 2, 1964, Title VII of the landmark Civil Rights Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in the East Room of the White House.  On this same date one year later, the EEOC, which Title VII created, opened its doors to begin carrying out the Congressional mandate to eliminate employment discrimination.

To commemorate this historic occasion, and to reaffirm the EEOC's commitment to the eradication of workplace discrimination, the agency is conducting a series of events throughout the year at the national and local levels.  The events are designed to educate the public about the rich heritage of civil rights and to highlight the EEOC's role in enforcement and discrimination prevention.

Further information about the Commission, including other 35th anniversary events and activities, is available on the agency's web site at www.eeoc.gov.