In a recent letter to Mayor Bloomberg, the Women’s City Club expressed its disappointment about the lack of diversity in his administration, as detailed in The New York Times article “Mayor Falls Short of a Vow on Diversity.” Despite the Mayor’s pledge to have a diverse administration, 79% of Bloomberg’s administration is white and 64% of the key members are men. Additionally, of those employees who report directly to the mayor, 78% are white and 60% are men.
“We remember that when you took office eight years ago you pledged to make diversity a trademark of your administration…These numbers do not satisfy that pledge,” wrote Vice President for Public Policy Barbara Zucker and Women’s Issues Committee Chair Marjorie Ives. “The input from women and minorities is different from that of white men and is necessary in making policy decisions on all issues, but especially on those that primarily affect these constituents. We urge you to increase your efforts to include them in your administration.”
Considering that New York is the world’s most diverse city, the WCC is especially troubled by the homogeneity of the Bloomberg administration in relation to other large cities nationwide. The WCC encourages Mayor Bloomberg to take measures to reflect the diversity of the City in his administration.
Post written by Dana Prussian, Public Policy Intern
