This Black History Month,
We're Turning Advocacy into Action at the MCSW
Dear Colleagues:
Happy February! This month we celebrate Black History Month and a unique occurrence – a leap year! What will you do with your extra day?
As the Immediate Past President of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW), and a Black woman living and working in Massachusetts, I reflect on the importance of Black History Month in terms of lessons learned and how they shape our collective future. While there is much to be proud of, we still have a long way to go.
I am proud to have been the first Black woman to Chair the Commission. I truly believe that when our Commission reflects the beauty and diversity of our state, we are better positioned to carry out our mission – to elevate the status of women and girls across the Commonwealth.
As the President & CEO of the Boston Arts Academy Foundation, I understand how the many threads of our lives intersect when relating to public policy and community development. That’s why I’m proud to be the Chairwoman of the MCSW’s new Scholarship program, a financial empowerment program recently launched by the MCSW in honor of our 25th Anniversary.
The new scholarship program will aim to support emerging woman leaders of the Commonwealth in continuing their education journey to leadership and economic empowerment. Designed to support nontraditional woman-identifying students already enrolled in a Massachusetts Public Higher Education Institution, scholarships will be available to help an individual complete their degree. The MCSW will award 5 individuals with a scholarship of $5000 each for the 2024-2025 academic year.
And so this year, I call on all of us to think creatively about new ways to meet the challenges of tomorrow. If we work together, we can increase awareness of key programs and resources, and build a pathway for future women advocates to aid in our collective power to shed light on issues (and solutions) pertaining to advancement of the girls of the commonwealth.
Take action this Spring:
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Share our new scholarship opportunity with someone you know trying to finish their degree.
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Encourage a young person 14-22 to sign up for our Girls Empowerment (GELI) Program.
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Make a financial contribution in support of youth and adult programming at the MCSW today.
You don’t have to be Black to celebrate BHM and embrace the impact Black leaders and organizers have had on the daily lives, protections, and rights for people regardless of color, race, sex, or culture.
Together we can reflect, celebrate, and most of all, take action.
Yours in Solidarity,
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Commissioner Denella Clark
Chair of the MCSW Scholarship Committee
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Register Now for our Next Public Hearing | |
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We want to hear from you!
Join the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) at this hybrid in-person and virtual event focusing on issues affecting women and girls in the Commonwealth. The event is free and open to the public.
Leaders and residents from Worcester, Franklin and Upper Middlesex counties and all across the Commonwealth are invited to attend, and testimony is open to any member of the public including elected officials. Register below by Thursday, March 21, 2024. If you register after the deadline we cannot guarantee accessibility accommodations.
What: Hybrid Public Hearing
When: Thursday March 28, 2024
Where: Community Group Room, Mount Wachusett Community College
Time: 5:30-7:30pm ET
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Thank you for joining us at our first public hearing of 2024. This event was entirely virtual and centered on a key issue facing women, children, and families across the Commonwealth - the past, present, and future of housing in Massachusetts.
In case you missed it, you can now watch the full recap video via YouTube.
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.
We look forward to seeing you again soon!
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Register Now for GELI 2024! | |
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Registration is NOW OPEN for our 2024 Girls Empowerment Leadership Initiative (GELI) Summit! Are you a young person 14-22? Do you know an amazing young person? Help us spread the word!
The GELI Summit takes place Saturday, April 20. Registration and check-in from 9:00-10:00am, programming from10am to 3pm, at Simmons University. Lunch, snacks, and transportation will be provided.
Space is limited, so register now! For more information on the MCSW Girl's Empowerment Leadership Initiative, learn more at our website or email MCSWgeli@mass.gov.
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¡La inscripción YA está ABIERTA para nuestra Cumbre de la Iniciativa de Liderazgo para el Empoderamiento de las Niñas! ¿Eres un joven de 14 a 22 años? ¿Conoces a algún joven increíble al que le encantaría participar? ¡Ayúdanos a correr la voz!
¡Se proporcionará almuerzo, refrigerios y transporte!
No querrás perderte este increíble día de programación juvenil en Simmons University el sábado 20 de abril de 2024.
Para obtener más información sobre la Iniciativa de Liderazgo para el Empoderamiento de las Niñas de MCSW, obtenga más información en nuestro sitio web o envíe un correo electrónico a MCSWgeli@mass.gov.
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CALLING ALL LEGISLATORS: Nominations for the Class of 2024 Commonwealth Heroines are now open! Celebrate the new year by honoring and recognizing an amazing woman in your community today. Commonwealth Heroines are women who don’t always make the news, but truly make a difference in their communities, businesses, or volunteer endeavors.
Each year the Commission partners with state legislators to identify women who make outstanding contributions to their organizations and communities. Each legislator is encouraged to submit one woman from their constituency as a means of recognizing their invaluable community efforts. To date, the MCSW has awarded over 2,100 women since 2004 when the program launched.
MCSW accepts recommendations solely from Legislators, but commissioners and constituents are encouraged to reach out to their legislators if they would like to offer a constituent as a suggestion. The Commonwealth Heroine Initiative begins in January and continues until the Commonwealth Heroine Celebration in June.
The nomination portal will close on Monday, April 1, 2024 at 5pm ET.
Honorees will be notified of their nomination in mid to late April and the 2024 celebration will take place on June 14, 2024 at the Statehouse.
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Hot off the press: the #MCSW has launched a new scholarship program! Are you an adult woman (18+)? Have you dreamed of going back to school or finishing your degree, but find that scholarships for non-traditional students are difficult to obtain? We've got your back!
This new initiative aims to support non-traditional women-identifying leaders of the Commonwealth in continuing their education journey to leadership and economic empowerment. Read the press release to learn more or apply now!
The MCSW will award 5 individuals with a scholarship of $5000 each for the 2024-2025 academic year. Applicants must complete the online application and submit supporting materials no later than March 1, 2024
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Join us for a meet and greet with MCSW Commissioner Aisha Miller and the Eastern Regional Commission on the Status of Women! Learn about their work for the Commission and have some refreshments! The event will be held in the Adams Street Branch of the Boston Public Library. RSVP now and join us! | |
Massachusetts was well represented at the National Association of Commissions for Women (NACW) Annual Members Meeting. 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. Congratulations! | | |
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Allow the Use of Campaign Funds for Childcare
MCSW Joined many partners for a press conference in support of An Act to Support Parents Running for Office. HCCSWG Commission Chair Nicole Coakley was interviewed by the Boston Globe about her story - and why this bill is so important.
Learn More About Nicole's Story
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Mass. Women Commission Launches Scholarship
The new scholarship program aims to support emerging leaders of the commonwealth to continue their education journey to leadership & economic empowerment. Learn More.
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We Know There are Many Ways to Make a Family. Why doesn't state law see it?
Via the MA Parentage Coalition:
We have unfinished business in Massachusetts. Some LGBTQ parents still have to fight to be recognized as full parents to the children they love.
Learn More
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Regional Commission Updates
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Members of the Bristol County Commission gathered for their annual planning retreat in Foxborough: Tanya Lobo, Esther Rogers, Werlaine Badio, Maria Gonzales, & Stephanie Taylor (Emerita) | Berkshire County CSW met with their state legislators in January to discuss regional legislative priorities: MCSW Executive Director Shaitia Spruell, Rhonda Serre, Sarah Gillooly, Halli Stewart, Dawn Brooks, Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier, Senator Paul Mark, Representative Smitty Pignatelli, Shela Levante, Laura Cabrera, Andrea Wadsworth | |  |
The Upper Middlesex Regional Commission held their annual planning retreat on January 17th: MCSW ED Shaitia Spruell, UMCSW Chair Connie Chow - and Commissioners Christina Li, Shannon Butler-Mokoro, Jenna Canfield, Anna Tse, Diane Randolph Jones, Shreya Kesarwani. | Eastern Regional Commissioners welcomed new commissioners at an orientation in January: Linda Champion, Wanjiku Gachugi, Amanda Crabb, Manya Chylinski, Connie Henderson, Alexandra Weber, Gabrielle Jackson | | |
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Plymouth County Commissioners held their annual planning retreat in January: Representative Joan Meschino, Carolyn Riley, Michelle Davidson, Tracey Weeden, Elisabeth Arruda, MCSW Regional Commissions Director Tina Games, Laura Buckley, Karis North (Emerita)
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Our regional commissions had a busy January with many hosting their annual planning retreats and welcoming new commissioners, and others meeting with their state legislators and discussing regional issues that affect women and girls. Some regional commissions are co-hosting events with community partners, one attracting a high-profile keynote speaker and another featuring a film screening. There's a lot on the radar for all of our commissions as they settle into a new year full of regional activity.
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The Berkshire County Commission met with their state legislators on January 17th in Pittsfield where they highlighted their legislative priorities and discussed ways to collaborate on two key bills, the Healthy Youth Act and the Act Relative to Language Access and Inclusion.
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The Bristol County Commission held their annual planning retreat on January 29th in Foxborough, settling on maternal health as their primary legislative focus. They mapped out plans for a spring public hearing and discussed their intention to launch a girls advisory council.
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The Cape Cod and Islands Commission welcomed a new commissioner, Sunny Daily - and began planning for a hybrid event this spring in Hyannis that will focus on their legislative priorities and include partners from the community.
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The Eastern Regional Commission held a new commissioner orientation on January 28th and welcomed four new commissioners - Wanjiku Gachugi, Connie Henderson, Gabrielle Jackson, Alexandra Weber - and discussed plans for a series of community coffees and a spring event focused on their legislative priorities.
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The Essex County Commission welcomed three new commissioners - Helen McDermott, Brenda Pena, Maeva Veillard - and established three standing committees to better streamline the good work they do in the community and on behalf of their constituents. They also finalized their plans for winter programming which will include a conversation with their state legislators.
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The Hampden County Commission welcomed three new commissioners at their January 16th meeting - Magdalena Gomez, Jennifer McNeill, Ariana Nunez - and will be hosting their annual planning retreat on February 27th. They're also planning a community event for moms and daughters which will include a guest speaker.
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The Hampshire-Franklin Commission elected new leadership at their January 9th meeting - Laura Sylvester (Chair), Victoria Cliche (Vice Chair), Luzed Guzman Romano (Clerk) - and welcomed three new commissioners: Colleen Delvecchio, Sarah Dunton, Luzed Guzman Romano
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The MetroWest Commission co-hosted a banner event with community partners RIA and the EMMA Coalition on January 25th at Mass Bay Community College. The topic was human trafficking prevention and featured keynote speaker, actress and advocate Ashley Judd. The event was well-attended with standing room only.
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The Plymouth County Commission held their annual planning retreat on January 28th in Plymouth with Representative Joan Meschino joining the conversation. The commission elected new leadership - Elisabeth Arruda (Chair), Michelle Davidson (Co-Vice Chair), Lisa Westgate (Co-Vice Chair), Tracey Weeden (Treasurer) - and look forward to inviting community partners to their upcoming meetings to discuss legislative advocacy and potential collaborations.
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The Upper Middlesex Commission held their annual planning retreat on January 17th and welcomed three new commissioners - Shannon Butler-Mokoro, Daine Randolph Jones, and Shreya Kesarwani. They will be co-hosting a community screening of the documentary, At Your Cervix - which will be followed by a moderated panel discussion in late February.
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The Worcester County Commission welcomed a new commissioner, Taylor Rich - and discussed plans for a spring public hearing. They continue to expand their community advisory board which includes over a dozen members who are engaged with the work of their commission and who serve as ambassadors across the region.
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Above: The MetroWest Commission co-hosted a banner event with community partners in Wellesley in January: Jennifer Wuelfing, Lisa MacDonald, Odessa Sanchez, Actress/Advocate Ashley Judd, State Commissioner Audrey Hall, and MCSW Executive Director Shaitia Spruell. | |
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We want to give a huge thank you to one of our very valued members at #MCSW Tina Games for being on the team for more than two years now! As regional director, she works everyday to uplift the mission with our 11 regional bodies representing women and girls in all 351 cities across MA. We appreciate all the work she puts in and we are so grateful to have her on our team!
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Updates from the Coalition Corner | |
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Grateful to the many coalition partners who joined us at the Massachusetts Statehouse on January 24, 2024 for the #PRO Press Conference! Vote Mama recently released important new data showing #CampaignFundsForChildcare is not only smart policy, but it also supports families and supports a diverse candidate pool in our great Commonwealth.
The PRO Coalition consists of the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators (MCWL), MA Women’s Political Caucus (MWPC), MassNow, sponsoring legislators and countless others, they called on Massachusetts legislators to pass An Act Supporting Parents Running for Public Office (H.669 & S.422).
Learn more about their latest report, watch the recap of the press release held at the Massachusetts Statehouse in January 2024: Campaign Funds for Childcare: A Data-Driven Report on a Structural Solution for Caregiving Candidates.
|  | Mass NOW is partnering with IGNITE to host an Advocacy Day Feb 8th at the State House. The Parity on Boards bill is one of the 4 legislative priorities, along with the I AM bill, Healthy Youth bill & Parents Running for Office bill. | |
ICYMI: Watch Governor Healey's first State of the Commonwealth Address! | |
Massachusetts is the only state in New England without updated parentage laws. It's time to protect MA children and families. The MCSW recently signed on in solidarity to a coalition letter offering testimony in support of this crucial legislation. Read the Letter and learn more here. | |
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Good news: The Senate has UNANIMOUSLY passed the I AM Bill!
We’re thanking our Senators for passing the bill today, and tomorrow we start calling our Representatives to encourage them to bring the bill to a vote in the House!
Lean more: https://bit.ly/passIAM
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Constituents and partners are welcome to join us at any of our monthly committee meetings.
Legislative & Public Policy Committee:
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.
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
Chair of the MCSW Scholarship Committee
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
Program and Planning Committee Vice-Chair
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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