West Des Moines Human Rights Commission

HRC_home_Page

Mission Statement

West Des Moines Human Rights Commission influences and advocates for community and government systems to ensure a welcoming and thriving community.

About Us

The West Des Moines Human Rights Commission is comprised of eight residents of the City of West Des Moines who are appointed by the Mayor for a three-year term. All Mayoral appointments are subject to the approval of the West Des Moines City Council.

Join Us

If you are interested in serving as a Human Rights Commission member, you may request an application from the City Clerk’s office located in City Hall, 4200 Mills Civic Parkway in West Des Moines, or submit the form online.

Current Commissioners 

 Tiffany Berkenes 

  
Milton Cole-Duvall 		  
Jill Crosser		   
Dr. Erin Kakkanad
 
Robert Morgan 
HRC Chair 
Al Womble

 Renee Headshot
Councilwoman
Renee Hardman 
HRC Liaison

 
Audrey Kennis 
Director of
Human Services 
HRC Liaison

Human Rights Commission Meetings

Meetings take place monthly beginning in January typically on the second Thursday of each month from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at either West Des Moines Human Services (October through April) or City Hall in the Council Chambers (May through September). Time is allocated for the public to speak at the beginning of each meeting. If you need special accommodations or language assistance, please email Audrey Kennis.          

History

The West Des Moines City Council passed the Human Rights Ordinance on December 14, 1998. The Human Rights Commission is an appointed body created to foster use of its programs and procedures to proclaim a public policy of non-discrimination by:

  • Securing freedom from discriminatory practices
  • Protecting individual dignity
  • Preserving the public safety, health, and general welfare
  • Promoting the interests, rights, and privileges of individual citizens within the City of West Des Moines

Read the Commission’s letter (March 6, 2023) to Speaker of the House Patrick Grassley requesting recent legislation introduced into the Iowa House be reconsidered given several articles in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Please read this letter from the West Des Moines Human Rights Commission in response to the death of George Floyd.

Inquiries/ How To File A Compliant 

Please call the Human Rights phone line at 515-222-3663.

For More Information

The WDM Human Rights Commission advocates for members of the public relating to issues of municipal public services regarding equality and diversity based on age, color, creed, disability, gender identify, national origin, race, religion, sex and sexual orientation. For more information, email Audrey Kennis or call her at (515) 440-4835.

Additional Community Resources

Visit the Iowa Department of Human Rights website.

Visit One Iowa's website.

Visit the Iowa Civil Rights Commission website.

Learn more about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.