The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission was established in 1955 as the Pennsylvania Fair Employment Practice Commission (FEPC). The Commission acquired its present name in 1961 when its jurisdiction was broadened to include a wide range of discrimination problems covered in the two laws it was authorized to administer: The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRAct) and the Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act (PFEOA).

The struggle to secure human rights protection for residents of Pennsylvania began in 1945 when the late Judge Homer S. Brown of Pittsburgh, then a member of the House of Representatives, introduced the first bill to prohibit discrimination in employment in Pennsylvania.

Citizen lobbying for an anti-discrimination law was spearheaded by a coalition of 49 civic, labor, veteran, church and social service groups. A significant action that helped finally to bring about passage of the FEPC law was the appointment by Governor John S. Fine in May of 1952 of an Industrial Race Relations Commission. The Commission conducted extensive research and in 1953 made a finding that 9 out of 10 firms surveyed discriminated because of race, religion or national origin in the hiring of workers -- thus documenting the need for an enforceable fair employment practice law in Pennsylvania.

After the FEPC bill was passed by both houses of the General Assembly, it was signed by Governor George M. Leader, who -- in making the initial appointments to the Commission and in providing resources to the new agency.

In 1961, the Fair Employment Practices Act was amended to include expanded jurisdiction over housing and public accommodations, including schools. The PFEOA was enacted to prohibit discrimination in higher education. The FEPC became the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.

Seven years later in 1968, PHRC was transferred from the state Department of Labor and Industry to the Governor's Office.

In addition, the definition of illegal discrimination also has been broadened greatly over the years.

Since 1955, when the Commission was authorized only to handle problems of discrimination based on race, color, religious creed, ancestry, age or national origin, the Human Relations Act has been revised and strengthened many times; including amendments to cover more employers, to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, disability, unlawful eviction during the course of a lease because of pregnancy or the birth of a child, use of guide/support animals and familial status.

The Commission serves residents of Pennsylvania from a Central Office in Harrisburg, and Regional Offices in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Philadelphia.

The Commission, which originally numbered 9 members, was increased in size to 11 in 1961. Commissioners are appointed by the Governor, with the approval of a majority of the members of the Senate, and serve terms of five years. By law, the Commission is non-partisan, with no more than 6 of the 11 Commissioners being from one political party.

Commissioners set policy, promulgate rules, regulations and guidelines, serve on panels to hear cases at public hearings, adopt final orders after public hearings, appoint staff and set policy for staff activity.

Eight Chairpersons have served the Commission since its inception. Harry Boyer of Reading was the first Chairperson, serving until 1969. Max Rosenn of Kingston served from 1969 to 1970 and E. E. Smith of Wyomissing chaired the Commission from 1970 to 1974. Joseph X. Yaffe of Wyncote was named Chairperson in 1974 and served until 1986. Thomas L. McGill, Jr. was appointed Chairperson in 1986 and served until 1990. Robert Johnson Smith succeeded him in 1990 and served until his retirement in May 2000. Carl E. Denson of Bethel Park was appointed as the Commission's chair in July 2000 and served until July 2003. Stephen A. Glassman of New Oxford was appointed by Governor Edward G. Rendell as the Commission's eighth Chairperson on July 11, 2003.

Three Executive Directors have guided the work of staff during the life of the agency. Elliott M. Shirk was appointed in 1956 and served until 1968. Milo A. Manly was Executive Director from 1968 to 1970. The current Executive Director, Homer C. Floyd, was appointed by the Commission in 1970.

The Commission is a charter member of the International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies.