June 2026 Newsletter

Dear Caucus Members, Colleagues, & Partners,

We are excited to share this edition of the newsletter, highlighting our budget and legislative priorities, recent events, member updates, and ongoing work advancing our strategic priorities.

We are grateful for your continued connection to and support for the Women’s Caucus, as reflected in your engagement at our events and across our social media platforms.

We hope this newsletter keeps you informed, engaged, and connected to the work moving our Commonwealth forward.

As always, we welcome your thoughts, questions, and collaboration—feel free to connect with our Executive Director, Seble Alemu, at any time.

Sincerely,
Senator Robyn Kennedy & Representative Christine Barber
MCWL Co-Chairs

The Women’s Caucus aligns its initiatives, advocacy, and legislative priorities around three strategic pillars established through an inclusive and collaborative process with members at the start of the legislative session:

Elevating Women’s Economic Opportunity & Eliminating Barriers
Addressing Racial and Gender Disparities in Health Care
Empowering Women in Government

These priorities guided the Women’s Caucus FY27 budget agenda and continue to shape our bipartisan advocacy for policies and investments with statewide impact.

Through the leadership of the Women’s Caucus and its State Budget Task Force, the Caucus advanced eight budget amendments. These four policy and funding victories strengthen the economic mobility, health outcomes, civic leadership pathways, and overall well-being of women and girls across the Commonwealth.

As the FY27 budget moves to the conference committee, we are grateful to legislative leadership and our colleagues for advancing a balanced budget that invests in education, transportation, health care, housing, and workforce development while strengthening municipalities and supporting residents without raising taxes or fees.

All of the Caucus’s legislative priorities continue to advance through the legislative process. In partnership with legislative leaders, coalition partners, advocates, and bill sponsors, the Caucus remains actively engaged in championing these priorities. Explore the full slate of our endorsed legislation here.

The Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators began the current legislative session with 62 women legislators, including 11 Senators and 51 Representatives.

During this session, the Caucus mourned the heartbreaking loss of two beloved members, Representative Carol Doherty (D-Taunton) and Representative Ann Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester), who both passed away from pancreatic cancer.

At the midpoint of the session, the Caucus welcomed Representative Hannah Bowen (D-Beverly) and Representative Lisa Field (D-Taunton) as new members. Representative Blais (D-Deerfield) departed the Legislature; Representative Vanna Howard (D-Lowell) earned a historic seat as the first Cambodian American Senator.

The Caucus currently consists of 60 members, including 12 Senators and 48 Representatives. Membership includes 4 Republicans, 1 unenrolled member, and 55 Democrats. Our Caucus continues to be led by a 13-member Board of Directors.

Each year, the Women’s Caucus Board meets with State House leadership to share our priorities and explore opportunities for collaboration. The most recent meeting with the Senate President was on the Caucus's work through its Task Forces.

Asian Americans were first elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 2010, with Representative Keiko Orrall becoming the first Asian woman to serve in the chamber. We recognize and celebrate the presence and leadership of our AAPI members.

May is Jewish American Heritage Month, and the Women’s Caucus recognizes and honors the leadership and authenticity that Jewish women legislators bring to public service and the Commonwealth.

By wearing red and standing together, our members helped raise awareness that cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death for women and highlighted the importance of closing the gender gap in heart health, especially as up to 80% of cases are preventable through healthy lifestyle choices and early awareness.

The Women’s Caucus Sexual Violence Task Force marked the 10th annual Denim Day observance at the State House, reaffirming the Commonwealth’s commitment to supporting survivors and ending sexual violence. We are grateful for the support of Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Senate President Karen Spilka, and survivor advocate Tara KB.

The Caucus was happy to welcome Fulbright Scholars representing 12 countries and more than 15 professional sectors for a conversation on leadership, public service, and the Massachusetts legislative process. Caucus members shared their journeys to public office, legislative priorities impacting their districts, and the world.

In partnership with the Office of Senate President Karen Spilka and the Center for Women & Enterprise (CWE), the Women’s Caucus hosted the second annual Women Who Lift Up Massachusetts event, celebrating women entrepreneurs, business leaders, and advocates who strengthen the Commonwealth’s economy.

The event advanced the Caucus’s strategic priority of Elevating Women’s Economic Opportunity & Eliminating Barriers by highlighting women’s economic leadership and expanding pathways to entrepreneurship and economic mobility.

Representative Michelle Badger received the 2026 Celiac Disease Policy Leadership Award alongside Senator Joan Lovely and was also honored with the Massachusetts PTA’s 2026 Commitment to Children Award.

Senator Jo Comerford was recognized with the 2026 Valuing Our Children Award from Trust 4 Kids and was named a 2026 Community Development Champion by the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC).

Senator Cynthia Creem was honored as a 2026 Peace MVP by the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence for her leadership on public safety issues.

Representative Mindy Domb received the UMass Retired Faculty Association’s annual Distinguished Service Award for her contributions to the university and broader community.

Senator Lydia Edwards was named Legislator of the Year by the Massachusetts Bar Association and was promoted to Captain in the Massachusetts National Guard.

Representative Carole Fiola and Senator Robyn Kennedy were jointly recognized with the Massachusetts Conference for Women’s Economic Empowerment Leadership Award.

Senator Robyn Kennedy also received the 2026 Care Bear Award in recognition of her steadfast advocacy for children, youth, families, and the human services sector.

Senator Joan Lovely received the 2026 Celiac Disease Policy Leadership Award and was also named Legislator of the Year by the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council and The Arc of Massachusetts.

Senator Liz Miranda received the Founders’ Choice Award at the BadA$$ in HERStory celebration, in recognition of her leadership and impact in the community.

Representative Sam Montaño was recognized by MACDC as a Community Development Champion for her commitment to equitable community development and housing initiatives.

Representative Priscila Sousa completed the 2026 Boston Marathon while raising funds to support Downtown Framingham, demonstrating her continued commitment to community service both on and off Beacon Hill.

Senate President Karen Spilka was named one of Boston Magazine’s Most Influential Bostonians and received the Alliance of Massachusetts YMCAs Legislative Champion Award for her leadership and advocacy on behalf of communities across the Commonwealth.

Please send articles, events, social media content, accomplishments, or updates relevant to MCWL members and partners. Submit all updates to Seble.Alemu@MALegislature.gov