Dear Caucus Members, Colleagues, and Partners,

On September 17, we marked a golden milestone with the 50th Anniversary Reunion of Women Legislators and Executive Directors Emeritae.

The Great Hall of Flags overflowed with energy as generations of women leaders came together in joy, reflection, and shared purpose. The reunion was more than a celebration—it was a catalyst, affirming our shared commitment to advancing women’s leadership for decades to come.

Our anniversary celebrations continue this fall. The Caucus is honored to be a sponsor of the 175th Anniversary of the First National Women’s Rights Convention, a powerful two-day gathering in Worcester on October 22–23, 2025. With national speakers, exhibits, and performances, this event will commemorate the 1850 convention that helped spark a global movement for gender equality.

As always, we welcome your ideas, feedback, and collaboration. To learn more about partnering with us, don't hesitate to get in touch with our Executive Director, Seble Alemu.

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

The Women's Caucus proudly commemorated its 50th Anniversary with a historic All Women Legislators Reunion, convening current and former members of the Legislature alongside Executive Directors Emeritae.

Explore the coverage in The Boston Globe and on WWLP and continue celebrating this milestone with us on Instagram.

The Women’s Caucus advances five legislative priorities and 17 endorsed bills that have bipartisan and bicameral support to align with our three strategic priorities. This session, we are witnessing remarkable momentum on these bills, poised to deliver meaningful gains in expanding rights, resources, and holistic well-being for women, girls, and families across the Commonwealth.

Endorsed Bills:

This month brought exciting movement on several of the Women’s Caucus’s endorsed bills—clear signs of momentum for our shared priorities.

• PCOS Awareness Month — An Act designating September as PCOS Awareness Month was read a third time, amended, and passed to be engrossed. It now advances to the Senate Committee on Rules.

• Expanding Nurse-Midwifery Access — An Act to increase access to nurse-midwifery services was reported favorably and referred to the Committee on Health Care Financing.

• Diaper Benefits Pilot Program — An Act establishing a diaper benefits pilot program received a public hearing on September 16, 2025, giving families and advocates a platform to highlight its importance.

Supporting Caregivers in Public Office — An Act Supporting Caregivers Running for Public Office has been officially signed into law as part of the FY2026 Budget, ensuring that caregiving is never a barrier to public service. Great news for all—and a success that strengthens the Caucus’s mission and priority to empower women in government.

Upcoming Events

• The Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators will host its Annual Breast Cancer Equity Event on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 10:30 AM at the Grand Staircase of the Massachusetts State House. This year’s program is presented in partnership with Senator Michael Rush, the Ellie Fund, and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

• On Tuesday, October 7, from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM in Room 222 of the Massachusetts State House, there will be a Roundtable on Women’s Health and IBS-C, featuring clinical experts, patient voices, and a live Q&A to raise awareness and foster collaboration.

• The Annual Women’s Week in Provincetown, sponsored by the Women Innkeepers of Provincetown, will be held October 10–19, 2025, transforming Cape Cod’s seaside haven into a vibrant festival with more than 150 events celebrating women, culture, and community.

• Join our Caucus at the 175th Anniversary of the First National Women’s Rights Convention on October 23–24, 2025, at Mechanics Hall in Worcester. Organized by the Worcester Women’s History Project and the Museum of Worcester, this two-day event will feature national speakers, exhibits, performances, and a youth delegation while exploring women’s rights then and now—from reproductive freedom and pay equity to inclusion and constitutional protections.

• The 14th Annual Women Fighting Hunger Breakfast will take place on October 23rd, 2025, at 7:00 a.m. at The Westin Copley Place in Boston.

• The 2025 Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts celebration, organized by The Women’s Edge in partnership with Boston Globe Magazine, will be held on October 24th, 2025, at the Boston Marriott Copley Place, spotlighting 25 years of innovation, economic impact, and community leadership by women entrepreneurs and executives across the Commonwealth.

• The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW), in partnership with the Berkshire County Commission on the Status of Women, is hosting a hybrid public hearing in Berkshire County on October 28th, 2025, at 6:00 pm at 1040 Mass Moca Way, North Adams, MA. All are invited to share testimony on issues impacting women, children, and families—contributions that will help shape MCSW’s legislative agenda and policy priorities. Register here and let organizers know of any accessibility or language needs.

• The National Foundation for Women Legislators is hosting its 2025 Annual Conference from November 16 - November 19 in New Orleans, Louisiana. See more details and registration here.

• The Caucus marked the 243rd day of the year as a symbolic moment to raise awareness about the persistent gender disparities in legislative representation—underscoring that, in the 400-year history of the Massachusetts Legislature, only 243 women have ever served.

• September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, and a recent Massachusetts study on neighborhood social determinants of health in endometrial cancer care highlights how factors such as income, housing, and access to care shape patient outcomes.

• September is International Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Awareness Month, spotlighting a condition that affects one in ten U.S. women of childbearing age, with a recent SWHR report revealing that nearly half face delays of 1–2 years in diagnosis due to underfunding, diagnostic uncertainty, and systemic gaps in care.

• In recognition of International Equal Pay Day (September 18), we highlight Caucus Senate Vice Chair Senator Joan Lovely’s interview at the National Conference of State Legislatures Boston Summit, where she underscored how caregiving responsibilities remain a significant barrier to women’s career advancement and long-term financial security, especially for single mothers.

• September 22 was the American Business Women’s Day; Gusto’s 2025 report shows that women started 49% of all new businesses in the U.S. in 2024, a remarkable 69% increase since 2019, driven by younger generations, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, as well as Black, Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Latinx women entrepreneurs. At the same time, the 2025 Women Entrepreneurs Report reminds us that many women founders continue to face unique financial barriers, time constraints, and expansion challenges as they grow their businesses.”

• Representative Tram T. Nguyen was awarded the Global Green Leadership Award at the ninth Annual Green Schools Conference.

• Representative Estela Reyes received the 2025 Premios Dominicanísimo Award, which aims to highlight the hard work and success of Dominicans around the world.