Dear Caucus Members, Legislative Colleagues, and Partners,

Following the recent election, our Caucus is thrilled to welcome six newly elected women. Their addition brings our Caucus to 61 members for the 194th session—comprising 56 Democrats, 4 Republicans, and 1 Unenrolled, with 50 members in the House and 11 in the Senate. We will continue to enrich the diversity and strength of our state legislature.

In the spirit of change and gratitude, we share this newsletter, which includes updates on our legislative priorities, an introduction to our newly elected members and photos, and highlights from several events we hosted on empowering women in government.

We had a successful end-of-session event, where we honored six outgoing members, welcomed six newly elected members, and introduced our new board slate. We also took a moment to collectively mourn our colleague Representative Susan Gifford and former Caucus prominent member Representative Gloria Fox.

We are deeply grateful for the steadfast support of our dedicated Board, Caucus members, colleagues, partners, and our Executive Director. Together, we have made meaningful progress in enhancing the quality of life for women and everyone across the Commonwealth.

As we continue to move forward, we encourage you to connect with our Executive Director, Seble Alemu, to share your ideas and collaborate on the important work ahead.

Sincerely,
Senator Joan Lovely & Representative Hannah Kane
MCWL Co-Chairs

Strategic Priorities

• Elevating Women’s Economic Opportunity & Eliminating Barriers

• Addressing Racial and Gender Disparities in Health Care 

• Empowering Women in Government

Legislative Priorities

During the 193rd legislative session, four of our five legislative priority bills, along with several of the twenty endorsed bills, were successfully enacted into law. We are thrilled that the Campaign Fund for Child Care bill, included in H. 5100, the Economic Development Bill, passed both chambers as of November 14, 2024, and was partially signed by Governor Healey on November 20, 2024.

Endorsed Legislations

On November 13, 2024, Governor Maura Healey signed An Act Relative to Medically Necessary Breast Screenings and Exams for Equity and Early Detection into law. Authored by Senator Lovely and Representative Balser, this law ensures broader access to vital breast screenings for early detection.

In addition, H.2204/S.1334 An Act Relative to Accelerating Improvements to the Local and Regional Public Health System to Address Disparities in the Delivery of Public Health Services—sponsored by Representatives Kane and Garlick, along with Senator Comerford—was signed into law as part of the Economic Development Bill. 

For the latest updates on our endorsed bills, please visit our website.

On November 21, we gathered at the UMass Club for a vibrant End-of-Session Celebration to welcome our newly elected members and honor our outgoing colleagues. The event was a joyful reflection on a highly successful legislative year, as we also introduced the new Caucus Board Chairs, who will lead us into our 50th Anniversary. The evening was filled with laughter, gratitude, and excitement for the future.

Events Coming Up

• Women in Green will hold their yearly celebration on December 4 from 8 to 11:30 a.m. at Wentworth Institute of Technology. Tickets to the sustainability event can be bought here.

• MassNow invites you to join them on December 7 at their 56th annual state conference, an intergenerational and intersectional feminist community from around the state, to hear about the 194th legislative session and our agenda for 2025.

• The 20th annual Massachusetts Conference for Women will be held on Thursday, December 12, 2024 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

Join us in welcoming the six women newly elected to the State Legislature—five as State Representatives and one as State Senator!

Please join us in welcoming the Board Members for the 2024-2025 Legislative Session!

• Senator Robyn Kennedy (Senate Chair)

• Representative Christine Barber (House Chair)

• Senator Joan Lovely (Senate Vice-Chair)

• Representative Hannah Kane (House Vice-Chair)

• Representative Brandy Fluker-Oakley (Treasurer)

• Representatives Carole Fiola, Jessica Giannino, Vanna Howard, Kate Lipper-Garabedian, Lindsay Sabadosa, Priscila Sousa, and Senator Becca Rausch (At-Large Members)

• November is National Family Caregivers Month, and the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators would like to thank the more than one million family caregivers in Massachusetts for all they do. Our Instagram post recognizing the month references a support program in the Commonwealth. Check it out here for more information.

• High-quality early care and education are essential for economic growth. According to a United States Department of Labor report, regions with Universal Pre-K saw higher employment rates among mothers, more robust business growth, and greater economic activity.

• Our legislative priority: Campaigns Funds for ChildCare are already inspiring many parents to run for office.

• This is how the passage of H.4918, our Caucus-endorsed bill, ensures coinsurance comprehensive coverage for breast cancer screenings by removing barriers to care.

Please send relevant articles, upcoming events, social media you would like shared, accomplishments, or other updates that you think MCWL members and our partners would find helpful. All updates should be sent to Seble.Alemu@MALegislature.gov