Denise D. Ferguson, Director, Advisory Council on Women for the Chicago Commission on Human Relations
Appointed in September 2004, by Mayor, Richard M. Daley, Denise Ferguson serves the City of Chicago as the Director/Community Liaison of the Advisory Council on Women for the Chicago Commission on Human Relations.
The Commission on Human Relations is the civil rights agency for the City of Chicago. It is charged with enforcing the Chicago Human Rights and Fair Housing Ordinances. People who believe they have been victims of discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations, credit transactions, and bonding may file complaints in person or through the mail. If the Commission finds that discrimination occurred, the violator may be fined and required to comply with orders of injunctive relief, plus the aggrieved person may be awarded monetary damages and attorney fees.
Ferguson works on behalf of women to increase women’s access to all levels of city government, coordinates the activities of the Advisory Council on Women, and advises the Mayor and City Council on matters involving discrimination against women and recommends legislative action. Additionally, she designs educational programs to promote equality, eliminate violence against women and girls, and encourages women to use the enforcement powers of the Commission to address acts of gender discrimination.
Denise is a founding Board Member of the United States National Committee of UNIFEM (the United Nations Development Fund for Women) –Chicago Chapter; partner with the Greater Westside of Chicago Early Childhood Network; member of the Chicago ‘Have A Heart Day’ Community Council –a health fair that provides free screening for heart disease, the #1 cause of death in women; and an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. –Chicago Alumnae Chapter.
Her volunteer history in the areas of child welfare and social justice includes organizations such as, Women United for a Better Chicago, Mt. Sinai Hospital Community Council, and Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago. Among many honors and recognitions, she has been featured in Rollin’ Out, Essence and Women’s Day magazines.
Denise Ferguson has been a public servant for 34 years, working for Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Public Library, Office of the Cook County Public Guardian and various social service agencies.
A lifelong resident of the west side of Chicago, Denise Ferguson is the mother of Jason A. Ferguson and the grandmother of two wonderful grandsons.
