The spelling of "committeewomen" can be a bit confusing. The word is plural and refers to female members of a committee. The pronunciation is /kəˌmɪtiwʊmɪn/ with four syllables. The first syllable is stressed, followed by a short "i" sound. The second syllable is unstressed with a schwa sound. The third syllable has a long "u" sound followed by a short "i" sound. The final syllable is unstressed with an "uh" sound. The word can be written as "committee" plus "women" to indicate its meaning.
Committeewomen is a noun derived from the word committee and the suffix -women, referring to women who are members of a committee. A committee is a group of individuals appointed or elected to perform specific tasks, make decisions, or oversee a particular area of responsibility within an organization, institution, or governing body. The term committeewomen specifically highlights the gender of female members, distinguishing them from male committee members.
Committeewomen often play significant roles in various spheres, such as politics, community organizations, professional associations, and nonprofit groups. They actively participate in committee meetings, contribute to discussions, provide ideas, insights, and perspectives, and work collaboratively with other committee members to accomplish the objectives assigned to the committee. Their involvement can range from formulating policies, planning and executing initiatives, managing resources, evaluating progress, to making crucial decisions affecting the organization or community they represent.
Committeewomen possess knowledge, experience, expertise, and a deep understanding of the subject matter pertinent to the committee they serve. They bring unique perspectives and representation, ensuring a diverse and inclusive range of voices are heard and considered in decision-making processes. Committeewomen contribute to fostering a more balanced and representative committee environment, promoting gender equality and empowering women's participation in leadership positions. Through their contributions, committeewomen enrich the outcomes and effectiveness of their respective committees, thereby positively impacting the organizations or communities they serve.
The word "committeewomen" is formed by combining the terms "committee" and "women".
The term "committee" originated in the late 15th century from the Latin word "comitatus", meaning "a company of people". Over time, the word "committee" evolved to refer to a group of people appointed or elected to perform a particular function, often related to decision-making or organizing tasks.
The word "women" refers to adult human females.
"Committeewomen" is a plural noun form used to specifically designate female members of a committee. The suffix "women" is added to indicate that the committee is composed of women or that the women have a specific role within the committee.