Meet the Newtown Township Human Relations Commission

The Newtown Township Human Relations Commission (NTHRC), which was established by the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance passed by the Board of Supervisors on November 28, 2018, met for the first time at a public meeting on Wednesday, March 20, 2019. The purpose of this meeting was to elect a chair, vice chair, secretary, and appoint non-voting members as well as to get input from the public, and prepare for the next steps, which includes training by the Pennsylvania Human Rights Commission (PHRC).

The Anti-Discrimination Ordinance defines discrimination as "any discriminatory act(s) taken by any person, employer, employment agency, labor organization or public accommodation on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, gender, religion, ancestry, genetic information, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, marital status, age, mental or physical disability, use of guide or support animals and/or mechanical aids."

The ordinance specifically prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity - something that the PA state anti-discrimination law does NOT do.

[Read "Newtown Township passes anti-discrimination ordinance, sets LGBT protections"]

The NTHRC will handle discrimination complaints in housing and employment in Newtown Township through a fact-finding conference with the parties of the dispute in order to reach a resolution without the need to hire lawyers or go to court.

Voting Members

Angelic Acevedo: A physician by training and originally from Puerto Rico, Angelic is a member of the Newtown Elementary Diversity Committee. She also leads the Princeton Pike chapter of the Organization for Latino Achievement, an employee resource group that her employer, BMS, sponsors. The group champions events that help reinforce an environment of inclusion. Angelic was elected Secretary.

Mercy Ingraham: Fair treatment under the law is a life-long interest of Mercy's. She has worked with the poor and the disadvantaged all of her professional career. Mercy's volunteer activities have included being a team leader in an inter-faith coalition to assist local refugee resettlement since 2016. Mercy was elected Vice Chair.

Aamir Nayeem: Being the son of Muslim immigrant parents, Aamir is acutely aware of the unfortunate discrimination that ethnic and religious groups face regularly. While a student at the University of Pittsburgh, Aamir was a member of the Muslim Students Association's executive board, which hosted events and discussions helping educate others about Islam and helping students deal with the rise of Islamophobia.

Joe O'Neill: Over the course of his career, Joe has served in many volunteer capacities and has experience with diversity and inclusion policies within companies both for-profit and non-profit.

Amber Ray: Amber recently moved to Newtown from Bristol Borough, where she was on that municipality's Human Relations Commission for two years. Amber thus has critical experience in the activities of such Commissions. Amber was elected Chair.

Non-Voting Members

Non-voting members of the Commission are ex officio members whose background and expertise broaden the diversity of the Commission.

Samantha Gross Dorf: Samantha is currently working as the Associate Dean for Academic Initiatives in the Office of the Provost. She is co-chair of the Race, Ethnicity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Group to the President and helps to lead the student food insecurity group. These two additional roles at the college allow Samantha to serve the college in the areas of equity, diversity and inclusion.

John R. Gyllenhammer: John is Deputy General Counsel and Chief Counsel for Health Sciences at Drexel University in Philadelphia. During his 25 years in legal positions at Drexel University and George Mason University, John has had extensive involvement with anti-discrimination laws and regulations applicable to employees, students, patients and members of the general public.

What's Next?

The next step is for the NTHRC to acquaint themselves with the functioning of the Commission under the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance, as well as the terms, conditions and provisions of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, and the operation of the PHRC. This will be done through training and education sessions performed in conjunction with the PHRC.

Filing a Complaint

The Newtown Township Anti-Discrimination Ordinance specifies that complaints may be filed in person at the Newtown Township Building or by mailing such complaints to Newtown Township Manager, 100 Municipal Dr, Newtown, PA 18940. All complaints must be received by the Township Manager within 180 days of the alleged act of discrimination to be considered timely.