Local Elections 2023: Halfway through the 193rd Legislative Cycle
Dear Colleagues:
It’s hard to believe November is upon us, and yet, election season is here. In just a few days, communities across Massachusetts will hold local elections for Mayor, City or Town Council, and select board, to name a few. I hope you take the time to check your voter registration status. No matter who you vote for, make sure you get on out there and VOTE!
I was first appointed to the Commission by Senate President Karen E. Spilka in November 2021. Over the years, I’ve seen us engage thousands of voters and future voters in sharing their concerns, policy impacts, and advocacy with their legislators.
As the Vice-Chair of the MCSW’s Legislative and Public Policy Committee, I’m also very carefully tracking progress of our priority legislation in the Statehouse. We’re roughly halfway through the 2023-2024 193rd General Court of the Massachusetts Legislature, and while the second half of any legislative cycle typically always sees the most activity, we’re seeing this powerhouse all-female corner office making MOVES. From home construction to historic preservation to affordable housing, The Healey Administration is making a major housing push from the Berkshires to Boston that the Governor herself calls “historic” and “urgent” to combat our housing crisis.
But indeed as women, we do not lead single issue lives. Housing is just one aspect of the overall economic, social, and cultural well-being of the people in our Commonwealth. Join our virtual housing hearing on Thursday, January 25th, 2024 – our first event of the new year – and tell us what’s on your mind so we can be sure to incorporate the voices of real women facing real issues across this Commonwealth in our online messaging, our research reporting, and our legislative advocacy. As a result, the MCSW will continue to push its ambitious legislative agenda that crosses multiple sectors, issues, and priorities.
That’s why we need you. Your input, your voices, and your experiences ultimately inform our 2023-2024 legislative priorities. Everything we do, from data collection in our regional districts to public hearings across the state is focused on listening to – and responding to – the needs of women. We seek to represent the incredible diversity of women across the Commonwealth in our advocacy. Learn more about our 2023-2024 Legislative Priorities here and register for our housing hearing here.
In Solidarity,
Guimel DeCarvalho, Natick
Legislative & Public Policy Committee Vice-Chair
Guimel speaks fluent Portuguese and lives in Natick with her wife and son. She is Wayside Youth & Family Support Network’s first Vice President of People and Culture and Chief Diversity Officer. Before her current role, Guimel was the Program Director for Wayside’s Framingham Family Networks and worked for the Department of Children and Family Services in Compton, California. In 2020 and 2023 she was named to the 50 Most Influential Business People of the Color list by Newton-Needham Metrowest Regional Chamber. Guimel cofounded Natick Is United, a community antiracist organization, and recently launched the Wayside Equity Training Center to provide antiracist trainings and strategic planning support for non-profits and community organizations.
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Register Now for our Next Public Hearing | |
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We want to hear from you! The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) is hosting our first in-person public hearing of 2023 – this time in Dartmouth, MA.
We're seeking registrants to give testimony on issues facing women, children, and families in Bristol County. Public Hearings are an opportunity for women across the Commonwealth to give testimony on issues that matter most to them, which directly inform MCSW's policy priorities for the 2022-2023 legislative session. Make your voice heard on issues that matter most to you!
The event is free and open to the public and will be held at The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Hybrid options to join remotely will be available for those unable to join in person. Bristol county leaders, residents, legislators, and other community stakeholders are invited to attend either virtually or in person, and testimony is open to any member of the public.
ASL Interpreting, Closed Captioning, and other language accessibility needs will be available for this event. Register by November 10, 2023.
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Just a few months ago the #mcsw hosted our gala event to celebrate 25 years of celebrating women and girls. It was truly a night to remember! Incredibly grateful to all of the speakers, artists, presenters, state and regional commissioners, elected officials, and more for making this evening such a special one. All of the professional photos are now available!
Live Music: ToriTori Band
Live Comedy: Tooky Kavanagh
Keynote Speakers: Fireside chat between current Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts Kim Driscoll & former Lieutenant Governor Jane Swift, the first woman to perform the duties of the Governor of Massachusetts, moderated by award-winning journalist Lauren Melendez from NBC10 Boston.
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For almost two years now, the MCSW has been collaborating with people and organizations across the Commonwealth to gather research and data on issues impacting LGBTQ+ women on topics, including but not limited to parentage, economic justice and forms of violence.
Thank you for joining us at our virtual report briefing on Wednesday, October 4th, 2023, to hear more about our findings and recommendations!
In case you missed it, you can now watch the full recap video via YouTube, embedded below. We've also added the full report, a quick one-pager summary of our policy recommendations based off what we've learned, and the event slideshow to our website for easy downloading on the new MSCW website.
We invite you to share your feedback with us. We value your input and would be grateful if you would take our brief exit survey.
Thank you for joining us!
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We received a visit at our new office from former Hampden County Regional Commissioner Michelle Goncalves, and some of her students from UMass Women into Leadership (UWiL). | |
#MCSW staff got together this week for our monthly in-person Director’s meeting. It was so lovely to see everyone - and it would be even better to see all of YOU next week at our last in-person public hearing of 2023! Register now for the MCSW Dartmouth Public Hearing. | |
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Massachusetts was well represented at the National Association of Commissions for Women (NACW) Annual Members Meeting held August 12, 2023. Two of our very own were elected to leadership positions!
Commissioner Tuitt was elected to serve another term as the NACW President. MCSW Executive Director Shaitia Spruell will serve a 2 year term as NACW Director-at-Large. Massachusetts is well represented on the national level!
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Massachusetts' Emerging Hispanic Leaders, Chosen by MassLive Readers
In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, MassLive asked readers to identify people who are emerging Hispanic leaders throughout the state, working to make a difference in their own area of interest, be it politics, education, business or the arts. Our very own Executive Director Shaitia Spruell was featured in this impressive roundup! She embodies the #MCSW values of leading with compassion and advancing the rights of all women and girls across the Commonwealth. Congratulations, Shaitia! Well deserved!
Read the Full Story
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Christine Monska on Women's Empowerment: "Every Single Issue is a Women's Issue."
MCSW State Commissioner and Women’s Fund SouthCoast executive director Christine Monska has been fighting the inequalities women face daily since she was a teenager.
Read Her Full Story
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MCSW Commissioner and veteran Mary-dith Tuitt was a featured guest on City Line in honor of Veterans Day 2023. | | |
Regional Commission Updates
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Above Photos:
Essex County Commissioners Brianna Sullivan, Amy Smith, Geetha Rao Ramani, and Sara Stanley join members of the Haverhill community for their October 26th listening session to discuss several issues of importance to women and girls.
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Our regional commissions have been busy this fall, hosting community conversations, listening sessions, and legislative events – and building relationships with community partners and collaborating on programs that support the needs of their constituents. Below is a snapshot of what our regional commissions are working on as they move through another busy period of programming and legislative advocacy.
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The Berkshire County Commission will be hosting a legislative event with their state delegation in early December to discuss issues of concern for women across the region. They are also hosting a planning and networking dinner where they will be welcoming new commissioners.
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The Bristol County Commission is preparing for a reorganization where they’ll be electing new leadership and finalizing their legislative priorities based on the feedback received from their spring listening sessions. They will also be attending and supporting the outreach efforts for MCSW's public hearing at U-Mass Dartmouth on November 14th.
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The Cape Cod and Islands Commission will be hosting Kerry McCarthy, Coordinator for the Cape and Islands Maternal Depression Task Force at their November 8th meeting for a conversation on the work of doulas and their significance in maternal health and the birthing process. This is aligned with one of their legislative priorities, An Act Relative to Medicaid Coverage for Doula Services (H.1240/S.782).
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The Eastern Regional Commission recently elected new leadership – Chair Amanda Crabb, Vice Chair Linda Champion, and Secretary Tamisha Civil – and look forward to interviewing several applicants for upcoming vacancies on their commission. They are in the process of finalizing their legislative priorities and will be planning a series of community events across the region.
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The Essex County Commission hosted a listening session on October 26th in Haverhill where they heard from members of the community on issues of importance to them. They are also accepting applications from young women in Essex County for their youth advisory council, the Ginsburg Initiative.
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The Hampden County Commission will be hosting an event on November 20th at the Chicopee Public Library which will be focused on youth homelessness in Hampden County. They will be spotlighting two youth speakers for a community conversation on awareness and prevention.
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The Hampshire-Franklin Commission has been interviewing potential candidates for two seats – and will be electing new leadership in December. They are continuing to follow their regional legislative priorities and sharing their resource guide with community organizations.
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The MetroWest Commission met on October 26th where they discussed their legislative priorities and the work of their Athena Council – and began planning their I AM Bill/Period Palooza event which will be held in December. They are also looking forward to welcoming regional and state commissioners to the MetroWest region for the December 6th MCSW Regional Convening.
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The Plymouth County Commission held a listening session on October 18th at the Plymouth Center for Active Living where they met with community organizations regarding issues that affect women in Plymouth County and discussed potential collaborations. They will be co-hosting a public hearing with the Brockton Women’s Commission on November 15th on the topic of workplace harassment.
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The Upper Middlesex Commission has formed an ad-hoc committee to review applications for upcoming vacancies and will be scheduling interviews in November. They are also focused on their legislative priorities, the primary one being elder care - and are working to support the efforts of their Athena Council which is in its second year.
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The Worcester County Commission continues to widen their community networks, partnering on events and opportunities that are aligned with their regional priorities – the I AM bill, the Healthy Youth Act, and the Zero Fare Coalition. They have extended their community advisory board which now includes over a dozen members who are engaged with the work of their commission and serve as ambassadors across the region.
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Updates from the Coalition Corner | |
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Massachusetts Girls in Trades was launched in 2015 by a partnership of educational, governmental, and union organizations with a shared goal of supporting and encouraging female career and technical education students and alumnae to pursue careers in the building trades.
This annual event provides an opportunity to the Massachusetts Building Trade Unions, Contractors, Developers, Government, and Community Organizations to network with high school women enrolled in Career and Technical Education programs who are interested in careers in the construction industry.
There are two upcoming events:
Eastern Conference & Career Fair
November 8, 2023
9:00 am-1:00 pm
IBEW Local 103, Dorchester
Western Conference & Career Fair
November 16, 2023
9:00 am-12:30 pm
Dean Tech Regional Vocational School, Holyoke
More information can be found here.
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Story via the Boston Globe: Harvard professor Claudia Goldin awarded Nobel economics prize for pioneering research on the workplace gender gap: In the rarefied world of economics, some of the field’s best minds figured it was a matter of when, not if, Claudia Goldin would win the Nobel Prize.
The 77-year-old Harvard economics professor finally got the early morning call Monday from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for her pioneering research to explain the gender gap in the workplace. In poring over 200 years of US labor market data, Goldin meticulously documented the differences between men’s and women’s earnings and employment rates, and the role public policies can play in eliminating inequities.
She is only the third woman to win the economics prize and the first to win it alone.
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Good news!
The Senate has UNANIMOUSLY passed the I AM Bill
We’re taking today to thank our Senators for passing the bill, and tomorrow we start calling our Representatives to encourage them to bring the bill to a vote in the House too! Lean more: massnow.org/2023/senatevote
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OPPORTUNITY for Massachusetts residents ages 16-21: Apply by November 13, 2023 for Govenor Healey's new Youth Advisory Council! Comprised of young people from each county in Massachusetts, the Youth Advisory Council will make recommendations to Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll on issues facing youth of the Commonwealth, such as civic engagement, education, the environment, housing, and youth violence.
Learn more and apply now.
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The Healey Administration is seeking input to deliver new programs and systems to make Massachusetts more equitable. Join them for their upcoming Black Empowerment Advisory Council (BEAC) listening session on Wedneday, November 8, 2023 from 6:00pm - 7:30pm at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod.
Lean more and register here.
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Constituents and partners are welcome to join us at any of our monthly held committee meetings.
Legislative & Public Policy Committee: This
First Tuesday of every month, 5:30-6:30pm
Regional Chairs Meeting:
First Tuesday of every month, 7:00-8:00pm
Program & Planning Committee:
Second Tuesday of every month, 5:30pm-6:30pm - please note date change of meeting on website to accommodate Election Day 2023.
Finance Committee:
First Thursday of every month, 3:00-4:00pm
Executive Committee:
Second Thursday of every month, 4:00-5:30pm
Full Commission Meeting:
Third Thursday of every month, 4:00pm- 5:30pm
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Dr. Sarah Glenn-Smith, Holliston
Chairwoman
Mary-dith Tuitt, Boston
Vice-Chairwoman
Legislative and Public Policy Committee Chair
Tanisha Arena, Springfield
Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair
Christine Monska, Auburndale
Secretary
Denella Clark, Hyde Park
Immediate Past Chairwoman
Rebecca Bact, Auburndale
Carol Campbell, Amherst
Divya Chaturvedi, Wilmington
Finance Committee Vice-Chair
Guimel DeCarvalho, Natick
Legislative and Public Policy Committee Vice-Chair
Marianne Fleckner, Westford
Jean Fox, Freetown
Liz Friedman, Northampton
Allison Goldberg, Marblehead
Audrey Hall, Framingham
Finance Committee Secretary
Nina Liang, Quincy
Leslie-Ann McGee, Kingston
Legislative and Public Policy Committee Secretary
Dr. Aisha Miller, Mattapan
Program and Planning Committee Chair
Sonia Shah, Natick
Dr. Kimberly Shea, Winchendon
Legislative and Public Policy Committee Secretary
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The Office of Economic Empowerment - Economic Empowerment for Women
The Office of Economic Empowerment provides several programs geared toward women of the Commonwealth, covering financial literacy, wage equality, and more.
Under Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, the Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE) focuses on creating and implementing programs and initiatives that give women the tools to succeed at home and in the workplace. They provide quality workshops and opportunities for women to learn strategies for financial success and free resources.
Mass 2-1-1: This online directory is an information resource for emergency food, rent, help to pay your heating and utility bills, mental health counseling, health programs, public health and safety services, child care referrals, job resources, and other help for individuals' parents, and families.
Massachusetts Girls in Trades was launched in 2015 by a partnership of educational, governmental and union organizations with a shared goal of supporting and encouraging female career and technical education students and alumnae to pursue careers in the building trades. Directory of Joint Apprenticeship Training Centers in Massachusetts.
Find LGBTQ Youth Resources: A comprehensive list of LGBTQ resources for youth throughout the state of Massachusetts, updated frequently, from our partners at Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth.
Local Women’s Commissions
There are currently 10 local Women’s Commissions that represent various cities and towns in the Commonwealth. While these Commissions are independent of MCSW, the Commission serves as a resource and partner for local commissions:
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