Summer 2026 Newsletter

Dear Caucus Members, Friends, and Allies,

As the formal legislative session draws to a close, the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators reflects on our members' hard-won progress, individually and collectively, while looking ahead to the work that continues through December.

We are proud that Women's Caucus members continue to lead efforts to protect and expand the rights, dignity, and opportunities of all people, and we are pleased to share their reflections in this edition. We congratulate our members whose legislation has been signed into law.

Our newsletter has gone seasonal to fit the pace of the current legisltive season. This edition highlights legislative and FY27 budget victories aligned with the Caucus’s strategic priorities, reflects on recent events and initiatives, and celebrates the contributions of our Summer 2026 intern cohort.

We are grateful for your partnership in advancing our work.

Sincerely,

Senator Robyn Kennedy & Representative Christine Barber
MCWL Co-Chairs

Through our social media platforms, we bring our strategic priorities to life by connecting the systemic challenges our work seeks to address for women in Massachusetts to a larger national and global story.

We invite you to follow and engage with the Women's Caucus on Facebook and Instagram to progressively support our mission and priorities.

The Women's Caucus extends its sincere gratitude to Senate President Spilka, House Speaker Mariano, the Chairs and members of the House and Senate Ways and Means Committees, and our Caucus Co-Chairs, Senator Kennedy and Representative Barber, for their leadership throughout the budget process.

The Caucus recognizes State Budget Task Force Co-Chairs Senator Comerford and Representative Ciccolo for their leadership in securing the Caucus’s priorities in the FY2027 budget.

Four of the Women Caucus' priority bills are currently before the House Committee on Ways and Means, and one is in the House Bills in Third Reading and is still pending in the Legislature.

H.223 – Livable Wages for Human Service Workers
H.2432 – Pancreatic Cancer Incidence & Death Reduction
H.4611 – Access to Menstrual Products in Schools and Shelters
H.4668 – Perinatal Behavioral Healthcare Workforce Trust Fund

H.804 – Gender-Neutral Language in Elections Law

This bill advances our commitment to empowering women in government by removing barriers to equitable representation. H.804, now sponsored by Representative Mindy Domb, is currently before the House in Third Reading.

The Pregnancy and Birth Equity Task Force Senate Chair, Senator Liz Miranda, co-host of this event, and the House Public Health Committee Chair, Representative Marjorie Decker, highlighted the critical role of policy and investment in ensuring safe, supported childbirth for every family, regardless of race or income. Photo credit: A.Camargo/NeighborHealth

Senator Joan Lovely and Representative Michelle Badger received the 2026 Celiac Disease Policy Leadership Award from the Celiac Disease Foundation for their groundbreaking legislative leadership on earlier celiac disease diagnosis and equitable access to gluten-free meals in schools; they were the first state legislators to receive the award.

Senator Liz Miranda received the 2026 Outstanding Community Service Award from the League of Women for Community Service and the Legacy Award from Latinos for Education. The Senator also received the 2026 Outstanding Community Service Award from the League of Women for Community Service

Senator Lydia Edwards received the Legislator of the Year Award from the Massachusetts Bar Association in recognition of her outstanding public service and contributions to the legal profession and the Commonwealth’s court system.

Senator Patricia Jehlen received the 2026 Yolanda Rivera Community Spirit Award from the Elizabeth Peabody House for her public service and advocacy on behalf of children, families, and the community.

Senator Karen Spilka was named one of Boston Magazine’s 150 Most Influential Bostonians of 2026, ranking #22, in recognition of her influence as Massachusetts Senate President and her role in shaping major legislation across the Commonwealth.

Representative Christine Barber received the Hero Award from the Mystic Tenants Association for her continued support of the MTA.

Representative Meghan Kilcoyne received the RFK Community Alliance’s 2026 Distinguished Service Award in the Field of Public Service.

Representative Tram Nguyen received the Trailblazer Award from the National Conference of Vietnamese American Attorneys.

Representative Alice Hanlon Peisch received the Paul Reville Leadership in Education Award from the Massachusetts Alliance for Education (MBAE).

Representative Chynah Tyler received the Pillar of the Community Award at the Roxbury Unity Parade in recognition of her community leadership and service to Roxbury.

Members of the Women's Caucus joined colleagues in commemorating Pride Month and Juneteenth at the State House. Several Caucus members also shared powerful reflections on the significance of these observances. Read remarks from Senate President Karen Spilka and Representative Samantha Montaño on Pride Month, as well as Juneteenth reflections from Senator Liz Miranda and Women’s Caucus Treasurer Representative Brandy Fluker-Reid.

Photo (left to right): Skyla Whelan, Allyson Amari, Yimar Yu, Seble Alemu, Zainab Aderinwale, Christina Quinn, and Sulekha Hussien at the JFK Presidential Library and Museum.

The Women’s Caucus hosts two internship cohorts each summer and is grateful for the creativity, rigorous research and reporting, event support, and communications work these student volunteers contribute to advancing the Caucus’s mission and strategic priorities this season.

Throughout June and July, Caucus members participated in the Intern Speaker Series, sharing their experiences and insights on leadership, policymaking, and careers in government. The series provided valuable mentorship and professional development, helping prepare the next generation of public servants.

Special Congratulations to the Women Caucus appointed commissioners on the MCSW: Christine Monska – Chairwoman, Tanisha Arena – Vice Chairwoman, Divya Chaturved – Secretary, Dr. Kimberly Shea – Chair, Program and Planning Committee, and Shela Levante— Fundraising Committee Chair. Learn more about the commissioners.

In partnership with the MA Black and Latino Legislative Caucus and the Center for Women in Politics & Public Policy at UMass Boston, the Women's Caucus hosted an information session on UMass Boston's Gender, Leadership & Public Policy (GLPP) Graduate Certificate and Master of Public Administration (MPA)-GLPP programs.

The event brought together legislators, public servants, alumni, and students to explore educational pathways and careers in public service. Through thoughtful discussion and shared experiences, the program advanced the Women's Caucus's strategic priorities of empowering women in government and expanding economic opportunities.

With Representative Marjorie Decker, the Women's Caucus co-hosted a book talk featuring journalist and author Melissa Ludtke, who discussed her memoir, Locker Room Talk: A Woman's Struggle to Get Inside. The conversation explored Ludtke's landmark federal court victory that expanded opportunities for women in journalism and helped break barriers across industries. The event underscored the Caucus's bipartisan, bicameral commitment to advancing women's economic opportunity by promoting equal access and removing barriers for women's full participation in the workforce.

Across more than four centuries of Massachusetts history, only 243 women have served in the General Court, compared with more than 20,000 men. The Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators marked the 243rd day of the year—August 31—as a symbolic milestone to honor the service and legacy of current and former Caucus members.

June is Cancer Survivors Awareness Month. This article examines differences in cancer survival rates between women and men, explores the factors driving those disparities, and highlights approaches to cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
As we recognize LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, this article highlights the importance of trans period equity by providing health care professionals with guidance on delivering inclusive, affirming menstrual care to transgender and gender-diverse patients.
Although the NIH Revitalization Act expanded the inclusion of women in clinical research, significant gaps remain. Experts suggest that research must reflect women's health across the entire lifespan and consistently analyze outcomes by sex and gender. Without this approach, medical evidence remains incomplete, contributing to disparities in diagnosis, treatment, and health outcomes for women and other historically underserved populations.
The way healthcare and sports science operate has relegated women to the margins. The first exclusively women-athlete-focused research, training, and medical facility is opening its doors this year.

The U.S. Department of Justice recently announced investigations into gender identity policies in women’s prisons in California and Maine. The investigations will examine allegations that current policies may affect the safety and rights of incarcerated women, concerns that have also been raised by incarcerated women and staff at MCI–Framingham.
The Wellesley Centers for Women and the Women's Foundation of Massachusetts have released the inaugural Status of Women & Girls in Massachusetts report, a comprehensive statewide assessment of the well-being of women and girls with a particular focus on economic empowerment.

The Massachusetts Legislature set Saturday, August 8, and Sunday, August 9, as the official dates of Massachusetts’ annual sales tax holiday.
Governor Healey signed legislation to modernize state law and promote respect for people with disabilities.

Explore the Gender Equity Summer Reading List—a curated collection of books that will inform, challenge, and inspire.

The Women's Caucus has launched Member Trivia Mondays on Instagram! Join us each week as we spotlight the remarkable 243 women legislators of Massachusetts.