Dear Women's Caucus Members, Legislative Colleagues, and Partners,

We are glad to bring you our June 2024 newsletter with updates on our legislative priorities, recent meetings, and more. As we enter the busy end-of-session season, we continue to uplift our strategic and legislative priorities, relevant events and articles, and to celebrate our members. We are also excited to work with our three interns—Katherine, Isabella, and Dakota! Learn more about them here.

As always, we encourage you to reach out to our Executive Director Nora Bent to connect, share your ideas, and think about how we can continue to work together.

Sincerely,

Senator Joan Lovely & Representative Hannah Kane
MCWL Co-Chairs

This bill includes An Act Relative to Postpartum Depression Screenings, filed by Rep. Fiola. This is one of the top legislative priorities of the Caucus this session. Additionally, H.2209 filed by Rep. Fluker Oakley and Rep. Khan was endorsed by the Caucus this session because we recognize that access to midwifery care vastly improves outcomes and allows maternal healthcare to be equitable for expectant parents across all communities, with particular impacts for Black and brown women.

Strategic Priorities

• Elevating Women’s Economic Opportunity/Eliminating Barriers

• Addressing Racial and Gender Disparities in Health Care 

• Empowering Women in Government

Legislative Priorities

Passed the House & Senate: An Act relative to salary range transparency

• This bill passed the House of Representatives and the Senate in October. The bill is now before a Conference Committee.

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

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

Passed the House: An Act relative to postpartum depression screening

• As part of an omnibus maternal health bill, this passed the House of Representatives on June 20, 2024. It now moves to the Senate. See our statement celebrating this above!

In Senate Ways & Means: An Act supporting parents running for public office 

Endorsed Legislation

• You can see the complete list of our endorsed legislation here. All major status updates about our endorsed bills are frequently updated on our website..

Over the past few months, our Board of Directors met with members of leadership across both legislative chambers and the executive branch to discuss our priorities and areas of collaboration.

Thank you to Governor Healey and Lt. Governor Driscoll, Senate President Spilka, Speaker Mariano, Senate Minority Leader Tarr, and House Minority Leader Jones!

• Happy Pride Month!

• This article shows how women’s pro-sport teams have surged across the United States.

• The U.S. Department of Labor recently found that labor force participation rate for women is at a record high of 78.1%

• June 12th was National Women Veterans Day. We express our sincerest gratitude to the women who have served our country.

• June 13 was LGBTQ Equal Pay Day—it is important to raise awareness about this and other inequities, especially during Pride month.

• With Mexico electing their first female president, the gender parity in politics is prominent as Ms.Magazine reported.

• Want to engage more with ideas around gender-equity but don’t know where to start? The Harvard Kennedy School has the perfect remedy with their Gender Equity Summer Reading List!

• On June 19th we recognized Juneteenth- this holiday celebrates the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans, while also reminding us of the work that remains to ensure equality for all.

• Through June 28th there will be a Summer Diaper Drive sponsored by Rep. Domb, Rep. Pignatelli, and Sen. Lovely! If you are in the State House, feel free to donate any diapers (preferably sizes 5/6 and pull-ups) to rooms 166, 174, and 413-D.

• On June 27th at noon, the Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance is hosting a webinar on paternal mental health.

• On July 18 at 11:30am, we are hosting alongside MassBio a Women’s Health Symposium entitled “Navigating Women’s Mid-Life & Mid-Career Health: A Focus on Health Equity.”

• The United Way of Massachusetts Bay recently honored 7 members of the House and Senate, including the following Women’s Caucus members Sen. Edwards and Rep. Meschino.

• Former State Representative Carol Donovan was honored with a $2 million gift towards Regis College, invested by the Woburn-based Cummings Foundation.

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 Nora.Bent@MALegislature.gov