Dear Caucus Members, Legislative Colleagues, and Partners,

As we enter the fall season, we're pleased to bring you this newsletter with updates on our strategic and legislative priorities.

Recent events, including Women’s Equality Day on August 26th, the signing of the Comprehensive Maternal Health, Parentage Equality, and the Salary Transparency Bills highlight the crucial role of women in government.

Women legislators play a pivotal role in enhancing representation by addressing the needs of women, racial and ethnic minorities, and economically disadvantaged communities.  A 2018 national report also showed that women legislators introduce more bills and achieve a higher legislative success rate.

Currently, 62 women serve in the Massachusetts General Court. In the Commonwealth's history, only 234 women have been elected representatives and senators. This starkly contrasts the over 20,000 men who have served as legislators.

To further our mission of empowering women in government, this edition spotlights Latina legislators and their unique contributions.

We are also excited to welcome our Fall intern, Maggie Wettergren, a Junior at Simmons University studying Public Relations & Marketing Communication.

We encourage you to connect with our Executive Director, Seble Alemu, to share your ideas and collaborate further.

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

In the 193rd legislative session, we proudly report that so far three of our five legislative priority bills and five of our twenty endorsed bills have been enshrined into law. These achievements carve out tangible pathways to improve the health and well-being of women across the Commonwealth, thereby elevating the quality of life for all residents and solidifying the state's status as a national leader in policy.

Signed Into Law An Act relative to salary range transparency

• This bill passed successfully through the House of Representatives and the Senate and received the Governor's signature in August to become law. Starting July 1st, 2025, employers with 25 or more employees must include salary ranges in job postings. Check out photos from the bill-signing ceremony here!

Signed Into Law: An Act relative to postpartum depression screening

• The signing of the Omnibus Maternal Health Bill marked a significant milestone enacting this priority legislation, including three of our endorsed bills—H.2209/S.1457: An Act promoting access to midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth options, H.1240/S.782: An Act relative to Medicaid coverage for doula service, and S.708: An Act enhancing post-pregnancy mental health care. Together, these laws champion comprehensive and accessible care for women throughout pregnancy and postpartum, laying the groundwork for improved maternal health across the Commonwealth.

Enacted in the FY25 Budget: An Act relative to a livable wage for human service workers

• The FY25 Budget includes a provision requiring the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to submit a report on wage rates for nursing care to the Executive Office for Administration and Finance, the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, and the House and Senate Committees on Ways and Means. This report represents a significant step towards closing pay gaps for our state’s critical human service workforce.

In Economic Development Conference Committee: An Act supporting parents running for public office 

• This bill was incorporated as an amendment into the Senate's version of the Economic Development bond bill and is now under consideration in the ongoing Conference Committee deliberations.

Passed the Senate/In House Ways & Means: An Act to increase access to disposable menstrual products

• This bill passed the Senate in October and is before the House Committee on Ways & Means.

Endorsed Legislation

• You can see the complete list of our endorsed legislation here.

• We recently submitted a letter of support for three of our endorsed bills, which are currently in the Committee for the Third Reading.

• For the latest status updates on all our endorsed bills, visit our website, where we provide frequent and detailed progress reports.

We hosted an enriching hybrid quarterly meeting on September 12, 2024, featuring Secretary Lauren Jones from the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. In a compelling presentation, Secretary Jones outlined the robust tools and resources available to businesses, employers, and job seekers across Massachusetts around our strategic priority of elevating women’s economic opportunity and eliminating barriers.

Events Coming Up

• Join the Roundtable on the Impact of Massachusetts Campus Sexual Assault Law on September 20th from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Co-hosted by the Governor's Council to Address Sexual Violence, Domestic Violence, and Human Trafficking and the Department of Higher Education, there will be discussion evaluating the law's implementation since its passage, discussing the progress made, challenges faced, and future steps for effective enforcement. Email Nora Gallo to receive a virtual access link.

• The Boston Women’s Fund presents 'A Night Under the Stars: Celebrating 40 Leaders Illuminating the Path to Liberation' on September 26th at 5:30 p.m. at the Artists for Humanity EpiCenter. These Liberation Leaders, nominated by the public, have been recognized for their remarkable efforts in building and sustaining movements that challenge oppressive systems and foster new pathways for our communities.

• MassNOW, our partner in advocacy for menstrual equity, is hosting its 14th Annual Feminist Affair on October 10th at 7 p.m. at Hibernian Hall in Boston, MA. This year's event will honor Senator Sue Moran, Representative Denise Garlick, Representative Sarah Peake, and Representative Ruth Balser with the Lifetime Achievement Awards.

• Rosie’s Place, an organization dedicated to providing hope and unconditional support to women facing homelessness and poverty, is celebrating its 50th anniversary at the Funny Women...Serious Business Luncheon on Tuesday, October 15th, 2024, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.

• The 13th Annual Women Fighting Hunger Breakfast will take place on October 17th, 2024, at 7:00 a.m. at The Westin Copley Place in Boston. Since 2010, Women Fighting Hunger has been a driving force in raising support, increasing awareness, and advancing advocacy for The Greater Boston Food Bank.

• LexSeeHer and Friends are hosting Zoom sessions to support women’s visibility initiatives throughout Massachusetts. Whether you're planning a monument, banners, or other projects, please register here to join an upcoming session.

• Senator Patricia Jehlen received the Arc of Justice Award from the New England Innocence Project for her commitment to fighting for wrongfully convicted people and their families.

• Representative Rita Mendes received a certificate of recognition from The Brockton Neighborhood Health Center work.

• Representatives Kay Khan and Ruth Balser received the 2024 Louise Bruyn Awards at Green Newton’s 2024 Environmental Leadership Celebration.

• The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women announced its new slate for the FY25 Leadership Board. Click here to learn more about the biographies of all MCSW Statewide Commissioners.

• August was Intersectionality Awareness Month, and we recognized that gender-based discrimination is often intensified by other identities, such as race, age, class, disability, religion, level of education, sexual orientation, and more.

• We celebrated Women’s Equality Day, which commemorates the ratification of the 19th Amendment that granted women the right to vote.

• Women play a significant role in keeping our communities and the economy thriving. Thus, we are keen on advocating for policies that elevate women’s economic opportunities. In honor of Labor Day, we share this fact sheet reporting on the women’s workforce participation post-pandemic.

• September is International Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Awareness Month, here are some facts about PCOS, which affects one in ten women of childbearing age in the United States.

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