The Connecticut Human Rights and Opportunities Commission today named 19-year employee Tanya Hughes as its new executive director.

"There were many qualified applicants, but ultimately Tanya's vision, energy, positive personality and accomplishments in a short time at the help convinced the Commission that she was undisputedly the best candidate for the job," Commission Chairman Gary H. Collins said in a press release.

The commission's mission is to eliminate discrimination through civil and human rights laws. Hughes recently served as the regional manager of CHRO's Bridgeport office and has been serving as the interim executive director of the commission since July 1, according to the press release. She worked as an investigator and staff attorney before managing the Bridgeport office.

The commission received $227,000 in federal grant money to stop housing discrimination under Hughes' guidance. Other commission projects include the establishment of the Racial Profiling Prohibition Project, community forums and antii-bullying in schools.

"Our focus is on programs that will create understanding between people and reduce discrimination whether based on race, gender, disability or other factors protected by Connecticut law," Hughes said.

The state CHRO was created in 1943 and was the first state government civil rights agency created in the U.S.