UPDATED: Carrillo makes “gender neutral” request

Jenn Carrillo (right) said she is asking fellow council members to do away with the term “alderman” for a more gender neutral title. (A.J. Harris/WJBC)

 

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – A proposed change in the job title of elected ward representatives in Bloomington comes at the request of a new city council member.

Jenn Carrillo unseated long time representative Karen Schmidt in Ward 6, which covers Bloomington’s west side.  Carrillo said on her Facebook page it was her idea to eliminate references to “alderman” in the city code and instead use the term “council member.”

“Alderman” is considered a masculine title and “council member” is viewed as “gender neutral.”  The council votes on the proposal Monday night.

“One tiny but important change I have asked my fellow council members to make so that people of all genders can see themselves in positions of power,” Carrillo said on her Facebook page.

Carrillo was one of four new council members sworn into office May 1. Five of the nine council members are women.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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