Dear Caucus Members, Colleagues, & Partners, 

It’s a pleasure to share with you the latest edition of our monthly newsletter. We invite you to take a moment to explore the updates below, which reflect the continued momentum and collective strength of the Women’s Caucus.

The Caucus has begun mobilizing around its strategic priorities by advancing legislative initiatives thoughtfully selected through an inclusive process with input from all 62 of our members. This newsletter highlights how we are working alongside our legislative and coalition partners to advance priority bills, elevate public awareness, and submit written testimony as these bills move through the committee process.

From advocating during budget debates to hosting impactful events and engaging our broader community, our work continues to evolve in ways that reflect the full scope of our mission. We’re grateful to have the support of our interns—Annika, Sarah, Amelia, and Emily—whose efforts have been key to our 50th anniversary virtual celebrations and our presence at key State House events this summer.

As always, we welcome your ideas, your feedback, and your collaboration. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Executive Director, Seble Alemu.

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

An Act relative to gender-neutral language in elections law (H.804 Rep. Blais)is currently before the Joint Committee on Election Laws following its June 17 hearing. The bill advances the Women’s Caucus’s strategic priority of empowering women in government. Our written testimony in support is available here.

An Act to establish a perinatal behavioral health care workforce trust fund (H.2208 Rep. Fluker-Reid & S.1411  Sen. Miranda) is before the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery. Each year, more than 20,000 parents in Massachusetts experience Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs)—the most common complication of childbirth. This legislation expands access to care and directly advances the Women’s Caucus’s strategic priority of addressing racial and gender disparities in health care.

An Act to reduce incidence and death from pancreatic cancer (H.2432 Rep. Kane, Rep. Gentile & S.1484 Sen. Comerford) is currently in the Joint Committee on Public Health and was heard on June 11th. In Massachusetts, pancreatic cancer is the second-deadliest form of cancer. The Caucus of Women Legislators supports this legislation as a vital step toward addressing racial and gender disparities in healthcare and improving outcomes for all residents of the Commonwealth. Our written testimony in support is available here.

Act Relative to a Livable Wage for Human Service Workers (H.233/ S.130), sponsored by Rep. Mindy Domb and Sen. Cindy Friedman. Community-based human service workers—80% women and nearly one-third people of color—earn far less than their state-employed counterparts in identical roles. The bill, now before the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, would close that gap and directly advance our strategic priority: Elevating Women’s Economic Opportunity & Eliminating Barriers.

An Act to increase access to disposable menstrual products (H.2483, Rep. Barber and Rep. Livingstone & S.1549, Sen. Jehlen) is currently in the Joint Committee on Public Health and was heard on June 11th. With 1 in 7 children in Massachusetts unable to afford these essential items, the legislation addresses a critical public health and equity concern and advances our strategic priority of addressing racial and gender disparities in healthcare. Our written testimony in support is available here.

A direct result of the Salary Transparency Law—formally the Frances Perkins Workplace Equity Act and a Caucus priority—the report marks the first time a state has published sector-specific workforce demographic data. Its release is especially meaningful as June marks the anniversary of the 1963 Equal Pay Act.

Upcoming Events

• “Women and the Fourth” will take place on Monday, July 1st, from 4:30–6:00 PM at the Boston Women’s Memorial on Commonwealth Avenue. This powerful gathering features a public reading of Frederick Douglass’ iconic speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”, followed by a panel discussion on how women—past and present—have shaped the nation’s history and continue to advance justice and equity.

• The Women’s Caucus is proud to participate in the 2025 NCSL Legislative Summit in Boston. In partnership with the Women’s Legislative Network, we will host the Women’s Lounge on August 5–6,2025, a welcoming space for women legislators and staff to connect and recharge. As part of our own 50th Anniversary celebration, we’re also honored to co-host the 40th Anniversary Reception on August 5 at The Committee, celebrating women’s leadership in state government nationwide.

• The Massachusetts Women's History Center is now accepting nominations for the Massachusetts Women’s Hall of Fame! This program honors women and organizations that have advanced the role of women in Massachusetts and beyond. Submit nominations by September 25, 2025—details and forms are available on the MWHOF website.

• The Caucus continues its virtual 50th Anniversary with a social media campaign honoring all 242 women who have served in the Massachusetts Legislature, and has now begun highlighting our current Members. Follow and engage with us on Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter.

• Until June 10, 1993, there was no law requiring women's inclusion in medical research trials for diseases and treatments. As a result, a persistent gender health gap exists across nearly all areas of healthcare, leading to misdiagnosis, ineffective treatments, and deepening health inequities. Equal Research Day raises awareness, promotes inclsuive research and drives investment in women’s health research, to transform health outcomes.

• The Location Shield Act (H.86/S.197), an endorsed bill of the Women’s Caucus, has advanced favorably in the Senate and may be incorporated into a broader data privacy package.

• Women earn less than men across both the same and different occupations, and mothers earn less than fathers in every state; both are key drivers of the persistent gender wage gap, which the AAUW reports undermines workers’ livelihoods and the overall strength of our economy.

• Olivia Laramie of the Hampshire-Franklin Commission on the Status of Women and Girls authored a column in support of the Women's Caucus-endorsed bill, An Act Pertaining to Women’s Health at Midlife (H.2499), which seeks to increase public, medical, and workplace awareness of menopause and related chronic conditions.

• On June 12, 2025, we observed International Women Veterans Day by honoring the brave women who have served in our armed forces and highlighting our member, Rep. Shirley Arriaga, a proud veteran of the United States Air Force.

• The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women has released its FY2025 annual report, highlighting a year of impactful engagement with women and girls across the Commonwealth. Through community listening sessions, leadership development, and advocacy efforts, the Commission continues to deepen sisterhood and empower participants to advocate for policies that address the inequities they face.

• Representative Vanna Howard received the 2025 Bankers’ Volunteer Award for Lifetime Achievement from the Greater Lowell Community Foundation in recognition of her long-standing commitment to community service and impactful volunteer leadership.

• Representative Christine Barber received the 2025 Advocate of the Year Award from the Greater Boston Food Bank in recognition of her work to reduce food insecurity in a time of cut federal funding to food assistance programs.

• Representative Leigh Davis was named one of “Five to Watch” from her freshman class of legislators by The Boston Globe.

• Representative Marjorie Decker was selected as Emerge Massachusetts’ Trailblazer of the Year during their annual “Women of the Year” event.

• Senator Lydia Edwards was named one of Emerge Massachusetts’ “Women of the Year”.

• Representative Brandy Fluker-Reid was honored as a “Groundbreaking State Legislator and Attorney” on a Living Histories of Color banner at this year’s Embrace Ideas Festival.

• Representative Kate Hogan was named MassDEP’s Legislator of the Decade for her support of environmental initiatives.

• Senator Joan Lovely was awarded the Massachusetts Distinguished Advocacy Award from the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network for her work to promote increased and accessible breast cancer screenings for women across the Commonwealth

• Representative Sam Montaño received the Good Neighbor Award from the Pine Street Inn in recognition of her work supporting The Lyndia.

• Representative Carole Fiola was honored at the Lobby Day for Animals in recognition of her efforts to craft and pass legislation protecting animals.

• Senators Comerford, Friedman, Lovely, Miranda, and Raush, and Representatives Decker, Ferguson, Fiola, Fluker-Reid, Kerans, Kilcoyne, Sabadosa, Tyler, and Gregoire were all recognized as Maternal Health Champions by The Bay State Birth Coalition and The Mind the Gap Coalition.