APRIL 2026 EDITION

Here at the MCSW, our scholarship program is funded by people like you who believe that when you invest in women and girls, you change entire communities. In honor of the 2026 IWD Theme: 'Give to Gain," consider making a contribution to the MCSW to ensure these crucial programs can continue.

Time is running out to sign up before the deadline!

Welcome to the Girls Empowerment Leadership Initiative – also known as GELI!

If you’re a fierce female between 14-22, this is YOUR moment to shine. Learn new leadership skills, develop new connections, and build alliances to advocate for girls’ issues. Engage in civic leadership training that promotes the well-being of all girls throughout the Commonwealth!

This isn’t just an event – it’s your launchpad to becoming an extraordinary change maker in policy, leadership, and community impact. We hope you join us at this year’s groundbreaking GELI Summit! Get ready to UNLEASH YOUR POTENTIAL at the 2026 GELI Summit on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Register as an individual here or register to bring a group to GELI here!

Join us and let’s rewrite the future, one empowered young woman at a time! Space is limited, so register now. Registration closes April 10, 2026.

For more information on the MCSW's Girls Empowerment Leadership Initiative, visit our website or email MCSWprograms@mass.gov.

In March 2026, Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women Executive Director Shaitia Spruell and Chairwoman Mary-Dith Tuitt shared how the commission is a crucial resource to advancing equity on this powerful WCVB CityLine segment. Watch the full interview to learn more about the status of women and girls in the Commonwealth.

In honor of International Women's Day, feminist organizations from across Greater Boston came together for a morning of inspiration, connection, and action at the 28th Annual International Women’s Day Breakfast. This year's theme was Reigniting our Movements for Gender Equity. The breakfast included a resource fair with 20+ community organizations, light bites and coffee, a keynote, and a panel. Pictured in the above group photos of IWD event co-facilitators and panel speakers, including: Ayanna Polk, Karen Ward, Sasha Goodfriend, and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu

Enjoy this photo of MCSW Shaitia Spruell sharing a laugh with Cambridge Women's Commission Executive Director Shameka Gregory - we certainly did!

In the News

MCSW Seeking Regional Commissioners 

MCSW is seeking candidates to serve on the following Regional Commissions:

• Berkshire County CSW
• Bristol County CSW
• Cape Cod and the Islands CSW
• 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.

Above Photos:

Hampden County Commissioners Magdalena Gomez, Rachelle Hannoush, Femi Stoltz, Vanessa Martinez, Nicole Esposito, and Lydia Malone were joined by State Representative Carlos Gonzalez, MCSW Marketing & Communications Director Ellen Moorhouse, and several community partners at their March 23rd legislative breakfast at Holyoke Community College.

Our regional commissions had an outstanding March with many of them honoring and celebrating the women in their towns and cities during Women’s History Month. We also had several banner regional events – public hearings, listening sessions, speaker panels, community expos, legislative breakfast meetings with elected officials – and three of our regional commissions running community surveys focused on understanding the needs of the women and girls in their communities and identifying gaps in regional resources.



Here's a quick look at what’s happening across the Commonwealth through the work of our 11 regional commissions:

• The Berkshire County Commission hosted a successful public hearing on Saturday, March 28th at the Berkshire Athenaeum Public Library in Pittsfield with more than 50 attendees and almost 20 women offering testimony. BCCSW will also be hosting a personal self-defense class in April for Sexual Assault Awareness Month – and recently welcomed their newest commissioner, Maayan Nuri Hed.

• The Bristol County Commission participated in the Spring into Wellness Expo on Saturday, March 28th in Fall River where they engaged with many women across Bristol County who stopped by their table to learn more about the commission’s work and to take part in their community survey. BCCSW Commissioners also provided several resources and encouraged attendees to follow them on social media.

• The Cape Cod and Islands Commission recently welcomed three new commissioners – Meredith Biron, Valerie Borden, and Inna Taylor. On Tuesday, April 7th, CCICSW will be co-hosting the annual International Women’s Day Breakfast in Hyannis in partnership with several women-serving organizations across the Cape, including the Cape Cod League of Women Voters and WE CAN.

• The Eastern Regional Commission partnered with the Boston Chapter of the League of Women Voters and the Mass Family Advocacy Coalition to co-host a virtual event on Monday, March 23rd to create awareness and advocacy for the Abusive Litigation Bill (S.1205/H.1594), one of their key legislative priorities. ERCSW also welcomed three new commissioners – Kashawna Harling, Donna Lubrano, and Tia Washington.

• The Essex County Commission will be hosting a listening circle in Gloucester at the Rose Baker Senior Center on April 9th – and a legislative event with state legislators on May 8th. Additionally, the ECCSW Ginsburg Initiative will be participating in the 2026 MCSW GELI Summit as youth leaders, facilitating one of the afternoon listening sessions and distributing copies of their digital magazine, We Are Here.

• The Hampden County Commission hosted a well-attended legislative breakfast on Monday, March 23rd at the Holyoke Community College MGM Arts Institute where they presented their regional priorities and engaged with state legislators and community partners. HCCSW is also planning a public hearing in June – and recently brought on a regional intern to assist with social media and community outreach.

• The Hampshire-Franklin Commission is actively recruiting for upcoming vacancies and will be interviewing candidates this spring. They are also participating in a joint Western MA public hearing in June.

• The MetroWest Commission hosted an outstanding International Women’s Day Event on Sunday, March 8th in Wellesley at the MassBay Community College with over 100 people in attendance. Their keynote speaker was State Auditor Diana DiZoglio who was joined by local female leaders and artists, along with several Girl Scouts from the MetroWest region. Members of the MWCSW Athena Council will be participating at the 2026 MCSW GELI Summit as youth leaders, facilitating one of the afternoon listening sessions.

• The Plymouth County Commission joined state commissioners at the MCSW Public Hearing on March 24th at the Massasoit Community College in Brockton where Vice Chair Tamara Dzialo delivered testimony on behalf of PCCSW regarding regional priorities. The Plymouth County Commission will also be hosting a legislative breakfast on Saturday, April 18th at Bridgewater State University where they will present their legislative priorities to state legislators and community members.

• The Upper Middlesex Commission is planning a series of listening sessions across the region to engage with community members, local leaders, and state representatives on issues of concern for women and girls in the region. They are also in conversation with the Somerville Women’s Commission and are discussing potential collaborations. UMCSW will be welcoming four new commissioners in May.

• The Worcester County Commission is launching a community survey this spring and will be working with community partners to distribute it across the county. WCCSW also welcomed two new commissioners in March, Mariame Sano and Emanuelle Zeni – and are beginning a conversation regarding the formation of a youth advisory council.

Join the Plymouth County Commission on the Status of Women (PCCSW) for a morning of conversation, connection, and community engagement.

This Legislative Breakfast brings together state legislators, local officials, and Plymouth County residents for an open and meaningful dialogue about the issues that impact women and girls.

Unlike a traditional speaking event, this gathering is designed to be interactive and collaborative. PCCSW commissioners will actively participate alongside elected officials and constituents, sharing priorities, listening to concerns, and fostering connections that can lead to real change.

Light breakfast will be provided: coffee, tea, fruit, and pastries. Whether you’re a community member, advocate, or public official, this event is an opportunity to listen, be heard, and build stronger connections across Plymouth County. We hope you’ll join us at the table.

Above Photos:

Berkshire County Commissioners Sarah Gillooly, Marissa Dubecky Meehan, Meg Arvin, Franci Gazzaniga, Kristen Tool, Laura Cabrera, Nuri Hed, and Destiny Easler were joined by State Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier and State Senator Paul Mark at their March 28th public hearing in Pittsfield where over 50 people attended and almost 20 women testified.

Above Photo: MetroWest CSW Chair Odessa Sanchez joins Girl Scouts from the MetroWest region at their March 8th International Women's Day event at Mass Bay Community College. The Girl Scouts wore uniforms that represented the last 75 years.

Above Photo: 
Plymouth County CSW Commissioners joined state commissioners at the MCSW Public Hearing on March 24th at the Massasoit Community College in Brockton where Vice Chair Tamara Dzialo delivered testimony on behalf of PCCSW regarding their regional priorities.

Join YW Boston and Listen to Your Mothers for their next session in the Our Transformative Power series:  

Our Transformative Power: Supporting Mothers, Strengthening Workforce 

📅 Date: April 7, 2026 

 Doors Open: 9:30 AM | Program Begins: 10:00 AM

 Location: City Year Boston, 287 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA 02116

In November, they explored grassroots advocacy for women of color. This spring, we continue the conversation with an interactive workshop designed to build advocacy skills, deepen collective power, and reimagine what equitable workplaces can and should look like for working moms. 

The morning will begin with a resource fair featuring community partners, along with opportunities to network and enjoy light refreshments. 

At 10:00 AM, the program will open with featured speaker Leslie Forde of Moms Hierarchy of Needs, followed by a data presentation on the current state of mothers in the Massachusetts workforce. 

The panel will be led by YW Boston’s own, Aba Taylor. The workshops will focus on advancing inclusive environments at the individual, organizational, and systemic levels. We will then hear from dynamic leaders across grassroots and business communities in a panel discussion and workshops including: 

• Brooke Thomson, Associated Industries of Massachusetts 

• Renee Omolade and Miriam Rubin, Listen to Your Mothers 

• Shaitia Spruell, Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women 

• Sebastian Molano, Oxfam America

Join the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) on April 29 at 1:00 PM PT / 3:00 PM CT / 4:00 PM ET for the NACW Conversation Forum! In this interactive session, Emily Maistrellis, Director of the Status of Women in the States, and Jesseca Boyer, Vice President of Policy and Strategic Initiatives, will introduce State PAL, an interactive tool that brings together state-level gender data, policy solutions, and legislative tracking.

In this live session, you’ll learn how to:

• Navigate the dashboard and compare states
• Use data and real stories to strengthen advocacy, including on childcare and caregiving
• Turn insights into actionable policy change

Connect with commissioners, staff, and advocates from across the country and see how data can drive impact. See the flyer for registration details or register here!

As you may know, four of our top priority bills are now before the Ways & Means Committee for consideration — and your voice can help move them forward through this critical stage.

• H.3433: An Act Relative to the MCSW > HWM  
• S.1118 / H.1921: An act relative to sexual harassment - Protects against sexual harassment and abuse of power in investment relationships.
• S.1119 / H.1922: An act relative to fair investment - Ensures equitable access to capital so every entrepreneur can compete and succeed.
• H.1922 (Nguyen) > JT Comm on the Judiciary 
• S.1119 (Friedman) > SWM
• POB aka Parity on Boards
• H.3398: (Nguyen & Shand) An Act to promote diversity on public boards and commissions > HWM 
• S. 2160: (Lewis) An Act to ensure gender parity and racial and ethnic diversity on public boards and commissions > SWM 
• OML/Remote Meetings 
• H.4831: An Act to modernize participation in public meetings > HWM 
• S.2205: An Act updating the Open Meeting Law to support remote participation > SWM

Please take a moment to email your legislator and respectfully ask them to report these bills favorably (Sample Email Here). Thank you for helping advance policies that promote accountability, fairness, and equitable access to capital.

We’re testing the launch of our new Take Action Hub with one of our key pieces of priority legislation known as Parity on Boards (H.3398/S.2160): An Act to ensure gender parity and racial and ethnic diversity on public boards and commissions.

It's easy to sign our petition in support of #POB! This new tool enables you to add your (private) address information and directly contact your local legislators with a custom message in support of this bill. Add your personal flair or send the message as is - but either way, we encourage you to add your name in support of Parity on Boards in Massachusetts.

When the nation is rolling back protections for increasing diverse representation on public boards & commissions, we here in Massachusetts will set the standard for the nation by doubling down on policies that enhance economic development and increase representation for all. And so, we ask you to add your voice to ours. Sign our petition. Tell your Legislators you support Parity on Boards!

Need more information? Visit the Parity on Board website and download the fact sheet. Want to join the Parity on Boards coalition? Email mcsw@mass.gov today!

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, 4:30 - 5:30pm

Full Commission Meeting:

Fourth Tuesday of every month, 4:30pm - 6:00pm

MCSW State Commissioners

Mary-dith Tuitt, Boston

Chairwoman

Christine Monska, Auburndale

Vice-Chairwoman

Audrey Hall, Framingham

MCSW Treasurer

Dr. Kimberly Shea, Winchendon

MCSW Secretary

Program and Planning Committee Chairwoman

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

Whitney Dodds, Worcester

Guimel DeCarvalho, Natick

Legislative and Public Policy Committee Chair

Melissa Ferretti, Buzzards Bay

Natascha George, Boston

Allison Goldberg, Marblehead

Legislative and Public Policy Committee Vice-Chair

Shela Levante, Pittsfield

Dr. Aisha Miller, Mattapan

Program and Planning Committee Secretary

Lise OIney, Wellesley

Legislative and Public Policy Committee Secretary

Heather Panahi, Wellesley

Dr. Candace E. Pérez, Lynn

Dr. Emily Wilson, Plymouth

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:

• Boston Women’s Commission
• Brockton Mayor’s Commission on Women’s Issues
• Brookline Commission for Women
• Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women
• Chelsea Commission on the Status of Women
• Melrose Commission on Women
• Newton Commission on the Status of Women
• Somerville Commission for Women
• Springfield, MA Commission on Women's Affairs
• Worcester, MA Advisory Committee on the Status of Women