City Council yesterday approved a resolution committing itself to "fair and representative" appointments to boards and committees, part of an effort that was inspired by a dearth of women appointees.

Supporters expect the resolution to lead to legislation that would require the city's boards and committees to more accurately reflect the population.

The legislation would require that factors like age, gender, race and sexual orientation be considered for each appointment, said Councilman William Peduto, who sponsored the resolution with Councilwoman Twanda Carlisle.

"What we want to do is see how to effect [systemic] change so this doesn't keep happening," said Heather Arnet, executive director of The Women and Girls Foundation of Southwest Pennsylvania.

Yesterday's resolution passed council unanimously, 8-0. Carlisle was absent.

Last year, Arnet and others formed Pennsylvanians for Fair Representation through The Women and Girls Foundation to advocate for change in the appointment process. The lack of a woman appointee to the initial Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, one of two boards that oversee the city's finances, provided the impetus, Arnet said.

Two weeks ago, that situation was remedied with the appointment of Barbara McNees, executive director of the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, to the board to replace former Allegheny County Chief Executive Jim Roddey. Pennsylvanians for Fair Representation called attention to the appointment with a news conference.

Two studies are being conducted for Pennsylvanians for Fair Representation as part of the push for legislation, both on the local and state levels, Arnet said.

The first, by students at Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz School of Public Policy and Management, examined the composition of about 80 boards and committees in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County and will be unveiled next month.

The second, by the University of Pittsburgh's University Center for Social and Urban Research, will examine the composition of the more than 500 state boards and committees.