The lack of women serving on executive boards in Philadelphia will be examined when Councilwomen Blondell Reynolds Brown holds a public hearing today to address the issue.

The hearing comes at a time when women comprise only 10 percent of executive board seats in Philadelphia.

During the hearing, corporate and nonprofit leaders will be asked how to increase the number of women “at the table” as fully engaged stakeholders in the local economy.

Citing a report written by Patricia Coulter, president and CEO of the Urban League of Philadelphia, Brown said that women comprise 10 percent of executive board seats in the city, 16 percent nationally, and hold 17 percent of the seats in Congress.

“In politics, the saying goes if you’re not at the table then you’re on the menu. The issue of lack of women at the table is the root of a greater problem that is plaguing our national public dialogue,” Brown said when she introduced a resolution calling for the public hearings. “When women are not at the table public debate that amounts to an all-out assault on women’s rights takes center stage, when it does not even belong in the theater.”

The public hearing will be held May 29 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at City Hall, City Council Chambers, Room 400.

Panelists include Terry Gillen, director, federal affairs, Mayor’s Office; Denise Earley, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce; Varsovia Fernandez, Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Autumn Bayles, vice president, strategic development, ARAMARK; and Judith von Seldeneck, founder, chairman and CEO, Diversified Search Odgers Berndtson.