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Invest in Women
Dear MCSW Community:
When times feel uncertain, I look for the helpers and for opportunities to make a difference. That’s why I’m so excited to share that our MCSW Scholarship Program is returning—back by popular demand!
In honor of our 25th Anniversary, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) first launched our inaugural MCSW scholarship program to invest in the education of women of the Commonwealth. Due to the success of the program and keeping in line with our mission to build the next generation of women leaders here in the Commonwealth, our scholarship is now a feature program! Here at the MCSW, we’re committed to investing in women.
The program’s objective is to support emerging woman leaders in Massachusetts to continue their education journey to leadership and economic empowerment. Designed to support woman-identifying students already enrolled in or committed to a Massachusetts Public Higher Education Institution, scholarships will be available to help both traditional and nontraditional students complete their degree.
The MCSW will award 5 individuals with a scholarship of $5000 each for the 2026-2027 academic year. Applicants must currently be enrolled in or committed to an accredited degree or certificate program in a Massachusetts Public High Education Institution. Mark your calendars - applications for the 26-27 academic sponsorship year will open November 3, 2025, and all applications must be received by 11:59 pm on Friday January 2, 2026. We’ll celebrate the 5 scholarship recipients at a scholarship banquet to be held in May 2026.
All funds awarded are provided by the MCSW Trust Fund, supported by the generosity of donors all across the state who believe in investing in women. Sponsorship opportunities for the scholarship banquet are now available, and we ask for your individual or organization support to financially support this crucial program providing pathways to education attainment.
In times like these, we must all stick together. Please consider making a financial contribution, sponsoring a student, or sharing the application with someone you know when it becomes available. Here at the MSCW, we’re committed to creating MORE pathways for the women and girls of the Commonwealth to succeed, not less.
In solidarity,
Shaitia Spruell
MCSW Executive Director
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October 2025 Regional Spotlight: Cape Cod and Islands (CCICSW)
Every month this year, we’re proudly spotlighting the work of our 11 regional commissions. This month, we uplift the Cape Cod and Islands Commission on the Status of Women (CCICSW), whose mission is to provide a permanent, effective voice for women and girls in their region.
| | | The Cape Cod and Islands Commission on the Status of Women represents towns in all of Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket counties, including Aquinnah, Barnstable, Bourne, Brewster, Chatham, Chilmark, Dennis, Eastham, Edgartown, Falmouth, Harwich, Mashpee, Nantucket, Oak Bluffs, Orleans, Provincetown, Sandwich, Truro, Vineyard Haven, Wellfleet, West Tisbury, Yarmouth. | | Register Now: Berkshire Public Hearing | | |
Join the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) and the Berkshire County Commission on the Status of Women (BCCSW) for an upcoming hybrid public hearing focusing on issues affecting women and girls in the Commonwealth – this time at the Berkshire Innovation Center, or
BIC Works @ MASS MoCA!
Your input on issues that matter to you directly informs the MCSW legislative agenda and policy priorities. Join us and make your voice heard!
The event is free and open to the public and will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person. Residents, legislators, and other community stakeholders from Berkshire County and the Commonwealth are invited to participate, and testimony is open to any public member, including elected officials. We’re asking anyone interested in issues that impact women, children, and families to share their experiences, to learn from one another, and create change, together. Register to indicate any language or accessibility needs you may have.
What: Berkshire County Hybrid Public Hearing
When: Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Time: 6:00 – 8:00pm
Where: BIC Works @ MASS MoCA
Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247
| | Join us in congratulating MCSW Chairwoman Mary-dith Tuitt, who was recently awarded Veteran of the Year representing Massachusetts! The Veteran of the Year program recognizes Veterans of strong character who have made a positive impact either while in uniform or after service. Having served fourteen years as a Navy jet mechanic on both active duty and reserve, Mary-dith exemplifies the discipline, dedication, and leadership that are hallmarks of military service. Chairwoman Tuitt is a dedicated public servant to our communities and to our Commonwealth. | | |
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"Massachusetts ranks No. 1 among the best states for women, new study says"
March is Women’s History Month and to celebrate 51% of the population, a recent study compared all 50 states across 25 key metrics. The data set ranges from median earnings for female workers to the quality of women’s health care to the female homicide rate. Massachusetts claimed the top spot as the best U.S. state for women in 2025.
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Local Regionals Advocate for Priority Legislation
Olivia Laramie & Victoria Edwards of the Hampshire Frankling Commission on the Status of Women penned a joint op-ed in support of Bill H.2499, “An Act pertaining to women’s health at midlife and public, medical and workplace awareness of the transitional stage of menopause and related chronic conditions.”
Read the Op-Ed via the Recorder.
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The rising power of women in Massachusetts politics
Is the ‘original boys’ club’ slipping away? GBH News crunched the numbers. Read the Story.
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Remembering a Founding Mother
The staff and commissioners here at the MCSW extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Marie Turley, a longtime public servant in the Commonwealth and a lifelong champion of women’s rights, grassroots organizing, and community empowerment.
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MCSW Seeking Regional Commissioners
MCSW is seeking candidates to serve on the following Regional Commissions:
- Bristol County
- Cape Cod and the Islands
- Hampshire-Franklin CSW
- MetroWest CSW
We always accept applications on a rolling basis for all of our regionals! For more information and to apply: MCSW Regional Commissions.
For additional questions, contact Tina Games, Regional Commissions Director.
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Above Photos:
MCSW Executive Director Shaitia Spruell and MCSW State Commissioner Kim Shea joined Worcester County CSW Chair Amanda Molina Dumas for WCCSW's annual legislative breakfast in Worcester on September 15th where they engaged in discussion with state legislators and community partners regarding regional priorities.
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It’s been a busy start to the autumn season for our regional commissions. They have been out in their communities hosting community conversations and legislative breakfast discussions, conducting regional surveys, attending local conferences, and participating in community events. It’s also the season when we begin interviewing for new regional commissioners as seats begin to open for those commissioners who have completed their service.
Here's a quick glance at what’s happening across Massachusetts through the work of our regional commissions.
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The Berkshire County Commission held their annual planning meeting on Saturday, September 6th in Pittsfield where they reviewed the results of their community needs assessment survey and discussed fall programming. They also elected new leadership: Chair Meg Arvin, Vice Chair Destiny Easler, Clerk Shela Levante
- The Bristol County Commission is currently interviewing applicants for open seats and planning a holiday networking event with legislators and community partners where they’ll be presenting their regional priorities.
- The Cape Cod and Islands Commission will be bringing on two fall interns, one focused on regional communications and the other on their second annual CCICSW Girls Listening Circle to be held in January.
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The Eastern Regional Commission will be hosting their annual in-person planning meeting in October where they’ll be reviewing their legislative priorities and electing a new slate of officers.
- The Essex County Commission welcomed new members to their Ginsburg Initiative in September and brought on a new intern who will assist with their youth programming. They are also wrapping up their community survey and will be compiling those results.
- The Hampden County Commission recently elected new leadership who began their terms last month: Chair Vanessa Martinez, Vice Chair Nicole Esposito, Clerk Sasha Viands – and are adding financial literacy and financial sustainability to their list of regional priorities.
- The Hampshire-Franklin Commission held their annual planning meeting in August and will be interviewing applicants for open seats on their commission with plans for a January full commission orientation.
- The MetroWest Commission just introduced their Athena Council members for 2025-2026, naming Grace Apicella as the Council Chair and hiring Grace Harvey as their regional intern. MWCSW Commissioners joined Athena Council members for the annual Purple Passion Walk in Framingham on September 27th where they had an MWCSW table.
- The Plymouth County Commission is planning their Women in Trades event scheduled for October 22nd at the South Shore Technical Vocational High School in Hanover. They also participated as an exhibitor at the South Shore Women’s Conference on September 25th.
- The Upper Middlesex Commission continues to host coffee conversations around the region, engaging with community members, local leaders, and state representatives on issues of concern for women and girls in the region. The next two conversations are slated for Ashby and Bedford.
- The Worcester County Commission hosted their annual legislative breakfast in Worcester at the YWCA of Central Massachusetts on September 15th and had a great turnout of community partners and state legislators. They had a thoughtful and productive conversation regarding their regional priorities and discussed ways to collaborate on advocacy.
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Above photos:
MetroWest CSW Commissioners Odessa Sanchez, Lisa MacDonald, Alexandra Todorav, and Jennifer Wuelfing join members of their Athena Council for the annual Purple Passion Walk held in Framingham on September 27th.
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Above Photos:
Plymouth County CSW Commissioners Michelle Davidson and Tamara Dzialo attended the South Shore Women's Conference in Plymouth on September 25th where they networked with attendees and women leaders in the region.
| | Updates from the Coalition Corner | | The Massachusetts Girls in Trades is hosting upcoming conferences and career fairs! Register for the Eastern or Western Conferences. For questions, please reach out to Sarah Adams: Sadams.massgit@gmail.com. | | |
Voter education makes voting easier and more meaningful. Get practical steps to register, understand your ballot, and find your polling place. Let’s navigate voting together this #NationalVoterEducationWeek in 2025!
Visit VOTE411.org to access the tools you need to vote with confidence.
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Submit a nomination to the Massachusetts Women’s Hall of Fame!
DEADLINE EXTENDED: Nominations open through Nov. 14, 2025
The MWHOF Selection Committee is seeking nominees from historians, scholars and the general public to the Massachusetts Women’s Hall of Fame who have contributed monumentally and benefited Massachusetts, the country and/or the world, and, by so-doing, advanced the role of women in society.
For the INAUGURAL CLASS, awardees will include two groups: Living and Historic women and groups, organizations, or movements (“organizations”). The HISTORIC women/organizations for the inaugural class will be limited to women/organizations of the Revolutionary Era (see below). Future classes will also include Historic and Living women. See Eligibility Criteria for additional information.
Please click here to submit nominations!
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Join us at any of our FY26 monthly committee meetings!
Legislative & Public Policy Committee:
First Tuesday of every month, 5:30 - 6:30pm
Program & Planning Committee:
Second Tuesday of every month, 4:00 - 5:00pm
Finance Committee:
Second Wednesday of every month, 3:00 - 4:00pm
Executive Committee:
Third Tuesday of every month, 4:00 - 5:30pm
Full Commission Meeting:
Fourth Tuesday of every month, 4:00pm - 5:30pmV
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Mary-dith Tuitt, Boston
MCSW Chairwoman
Christine Monska, Auburndale
MCSW Vice-Chairwoman
Audrey Hall, Framingham
MCSW Treasurer Finance Committee Chairwoman
Dr. Kimberly Shea, Winchendon
Secretary
Program and Planning Committee Secretary
Tanisha Arena, Springfield
Finance Committee Vice-Chair
Giselle Byrd, Boston
Program and Planning Committee Vice-Chair
Carol Campbell, Amherst
Divya Chaturvedi, Wilmington
Finance Committee Secretary
Guimel DeCarvalho, Natick
Legislative and Public Policy Committee Chair
Jean Fox, Freetown
Allison Goldberg, Marblehead
Legislative and Public Policy Committee Vice-Chair
Leslie-Ann McGee, Falmouth
Dr. Aisha Miller, Mattapan
Dr. Candace E. Peréz, Lynn
Sonia Shah, Natick
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.
Resources for Immigrants in Massachusetts: The Attorney General’s Office recognizes the value of our diverse communities and serves all Massachusetts residents, regardless of immigration status. Learn more about the rights afforded to immigrants under state law and resources available to immigrant communities.
Local Women’s Commissions
There are currently 11 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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