Dear Caucus Members, Legislative Colleagues, & Partners,

Happy Women’s History Month.

This March, we proudly launched our legislative priorities for the 194th session—developed through deep collaboration with our 60 members—and began celebrating a remarkable milestone: the Women’s Caucus’ 50th Anniversary!

Over five decades, the Caucus has grown in size, strength, and influence. Today, we stand as the longest-running bipartisan, bicameral women’s caucus in the nation—a testament to the determination and unity of our members.

We are also heartened by the committee appointments this session, with women legislators earning an unprecedented number of chair and vice chair roles. This progress reflects a broader truth: women are not just shaping policy—they are reshaping power.

As you read this newsletter, we hope you feel inspired by how we continue to honor women’s history—by making it.

We invite your participation and value your support. Our Executive Director, Seble Alemu, is happy to connect, hear your ideas, and think about how we can continue to work together.

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

The MCWL strategic priorities were determined through an inclusive and extensive process with our membership. These topics will be our overarching focus for the 2025-2026 legislative session. We will support these through legislative advocacy and a variety of other tools.

Guided by our Strategic Priorities, we invited members to help shape our legislative agenda. Each member had the opportunity to submit bills for consideration—bringing forward the issues they believe matter most.

A dedicated Subcommittee—comprised of Senator Kennedy, Senator Lovely, Representative Barber, Representative Kane, Representative Howard, Representative Kilcoyne, and our Executive Director, Seble Alemu—carefully reviewed the submissions and curated a focused list for further evaluation.

After approval by our Board of Directors, the full Caucus weighed in once more—selecting the bills they most wanted to champion. Together, we affirmed a slate of legislative priorities that reflect both our shared mission and the voices of our membership.

1. H.223/S.130 An Act relative to a livable wage for human service workers filed by Rep. Domb and Sen. Friedman

2. H.2483/S.1549 An Act to increase access to disposable menstrual products filed by Rep. Barber, Rep. Livingstone, and Sen. Jehlen

3. H.2432/S.1484 An Act to reduce incidence and death from pancreatic cancer filed by Rep. Kane, Rep.Gentile, and Sen. Comerford

4. H.2208/S.1411 An Act to establish a perinatal behavioral health care workforce trust fund filed by Rep. Fluker-Reid and Sen. Miranda

5. H.804: An Act relative to gender-neutral language in Elections Law filed by Rep. Blais

Explore the full slate of our endorsed legislation here.

We look forward to actively partnering with bill sponsors and advocacy coalitions to advance these priorities—mobilizing support, building momentum, and driving progress on the issues at the heart of our mission.

Events Coming Up

• On Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 1:00 PM in Room 348 (The Members Lounge) of the Massachusetts State House, the Women’s Caucus will host Representation and How to Get It—a 45-minute, one-woman play inspired by the life of Julia Ward Howe. This event is free and open to all, but space is limited

• The 8th Annual Black Maternal Health Conference, themed "Centering the Role of Fathers in Addressing Maternal Health Inequities," takes place on April 4–5, 2025 at Tufts University.

• The Women’s Caucus Sexual Violence Task Force will host its Annual Denim Day observance on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at 2:00 PM in Room 157. The program will include a speaking portion, followed by a group photo at 2:45 PM on the Grand Staircase.

• Wednesday, April 2 is Start by Believing Day, which will kick off our Sexual Violence Task Force's work to commemorate Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Legislators and staff will receive information via email regarding this day and other ways to participate in Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

• The MA Commission on the Status of Women's annual Girls Empowerment Leadership Initiative (GELI) supports girls and gender-expansive youth to engage in civic engagement training. This year's event will be on Saturday, April 24th, 2025. Registration is open.

• On Tuesday, May 27 at 7:00 pm the Museum of Science recognizes Disability and Reproductive Equity Day with a special evening of community dialogue and advocacy. This event is free with Pre-Registration.

• Our 50th Anniversary press conference made the evening news.

• Speaker Mariano increased women’s representation in leadership positions within the Massachusetts House of Representatives. We are happy for the representation of women legislators in decision-making roles.

• A recent study highlights how medical tests often fail Black and Native women, revealing deep racial and gender disparities in healthcare. Addressing these inequities is central to MCWL’s advocacy for accessible and just healthcare policies.

• Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian is recognized for joining the Board of the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators.

• Representative Leigh Davis discusses her vision, policy priorities, and the challenges of leadership in a new interview. As an advocate for inclusive governance, her insights reflect MCWL’s mission of empowering diverse voices in policy-making.

• The movement to bring a WNBA team to Massachusetts is gaining momentum! This initiative not only expands opportunities for women in sports but also strengthens the state's commitment to gender equity in athletics.

• We are highlighting the importance of Women's History Month on our social media, including honoring the 175th anniversary of the historic Women's Rights Convention in our very own Massachusetts city, Worcester! Engage with us on Facebook, Instagram, and X/Twitter.

• Senator Robyn Kennedy has been awarded the 2025 Disability Legislative Champions Award by the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council and The Arc of Massachusetts for her dedication to disability rights advocacy.

• Senator Liz Miranda was recognized by CAP Collaborative for her leadership in Nubian Square, advancing investments in life sciences, education, and Black economic empowerment.

• Representative Carole Fiola is recognized as the 2024 MassBio Legislator of the Year for her unwavering dedication to supporting the biotechnology industry, which has contributed to the growth of the Massachusetts economy and addressing critical health challenges.

• Representative Brandy Fluker-Reid received the Legislative Leadership Award from the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston (JCRC) at their Legislative Reception.

• Representative Meg Kilcoyne has been honored with the 2nd Annual Kevin G. Honan Irish American Legislator of the Year Award.

• Representatives Shirley Arriga and Leigh Davis have been recognized as key political figures to watch in Massachusetts!

• Rep. Alice Peisch celebrated her Staff Director, Mollie Cecconi, who was awarded by JCRC of Greater Boston for her excellence and leadership as a legislative staffer.