Brenda Konkel links to an interesting study about female and minority presence in Madison government. The results for women apparently fell short of the goals the city set. The results for minorities exceeded them.
In 2010, women held 34.3% of the top management positions in compensation groups 12, 14, 18, 21, 23, & 44. The goal is 46.7%. There was actually a decline in any improvements made.
In 2010, racial/ethnic group members held 10.0% of the top management positions in compensation groups 12, 14, 18, 21, 23, & 44. The goal is 7.6%. There was also a decline in improvements made here as well.
One figure the report did not mention was the number of women in elected positions. The current Madison Common Council is made up of 11 men and 9 women, a nearly-ideal distribution (I wonder if that's the highest number of women ever on the Council). Minority representation appears pretty low (maybe two?), although I can't make an estimate without knowing how all the alders identify racially and ethnically.
Similarly, I am not familiar with the sexual orientation of all the alders but I know enough to say that the LGBT representation on the Council is quite high. By my estimate, there are at least four openly gay or lesbian alders (20%). This is double the rate of homosexuals in the general population, according to the American Psychological Association.
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