The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) is a state-established body charged with reviewing the status of women in Massachusetts and offering recommendations regarding policy that would improve access to opportunities and equality.
Learn more about the MCSWLegislative Agenda
The Commission recognizes the need for women to gain not only an equal share, but become equal participants in the areas of economics, health-care, civil rights, education and business development. The MCSW endorses and tracks legislation to achieve these goals.
S.947/H.1713
upcoming events and meetings
See all eventsMCSW Programs
As part of our mission to advance women and girls toward full equity in all areas of life, the MCSW provides several programs to promote rights and opportunities for all women and girls across Massachusetts.
Regional Commissions
We have 11 Regional Commissions throughout the state, which exponentially expand the reach of our work.
- 1 Berkshire County
- 2 Bristol County
- 3 Cape and Islands
- 4 Eastern Regional
- 5 Essex County
- 6 Hampden County
- 7 Hampshire-Franklin
- 8 MetroWest
- 9 Plymouth County
- 10 Upper Middlesex
- 11 Worcester County
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With just one week left to go until #Electionday, the #MCSW urges you to vote and make your voice heard. Today 10/29 is the last day to request an absentee ballot, and early voting is underway across the state until November 1st. Call a friend, bring a neighbor to the polls, but we urge you to be a hero and VOTE! #vote
Oct 29
When the weather turns cold, we adjust our public hearings to be entirely virtual to allow us to hear from more voices in more places. Our next MCSW Virtual Public Hearing centers on Impact of Health Issues on Women. Register now and join us on November 20th from 6-8pm. Register now via link in bio or at: bit.ly/MCSWvirtualyhealthhearing
Oct 28
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our hybrid public hearing at the Old Chapel at @umass Amherst with @hampshirefranklincommission and so many others! We heard powerful testimony on the impacts of predatory lending on women and families, housing availability, the need for mental health services, and other key issues facing women, children, and families across the Commonwealth.
We invite you to share your feedback with us. We value your input and would be grateful if you would take our brief exit survey: https://bit.ly/HampshireFranklinFeedback
We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Weren’t able to join us? Save the date for our next public hearing on November 20, 2024 – entirely virtual and centering on the issues of women’s health and healthcare.
Oct 23
Last call! TOMORROW is our public hearing at the Old Chapel at UMass Amherst. Registration closes at the end of the day today – sign up now to join us in person or online! bit.ly/HampshireFranklinHearing
Oct 21
We`re hiring a Spring 2025 Communications Intern! Interested in applying? Visit our handshake page at https://bit.ly/MCSWInterns to learn more and submit your information!
Oct 18
@massgovernor @maura_healey’s Youth Advisory Council would like to invite youth members ages 16-20 to the first ever Youth Summit held Wednesday, November 13th, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM in the Great Hall of the Massachusetts State House. The summit will explore important topics such as Mental Health, Education, Youth Violence, and Healthcare. Join us for special guest speakers, programming, and to create community with other civically engaged youth who are committed to youth advancement in Massachusetts. All interested youth asked to R.S.V.P. by October 31st here: Governor Maura Healey’s Youth Advisory Council would like to invite your youth members ages 16-20 to the first ever Youth Summit held Wednesday, November 13th, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM in the Great Hall of the Massachusetts State House. The summit will explore important topics such as Mental Health, Education, Youth Violence, and Healthcare.
Join us for special guest speakers, programming, and to create community with other civically engaged youth who are committed to youth advancement in Massachusetts. All interested youth asked to R.S.V.P. by October 31st. Link in story!
Oct 16
We’re just one week away from our public hearing at the Old Chapel at @umass! Have you registered yet? Register now and join us via link in bio or at: https://bit.ly/HampshireFranklinHearing
Oct 15
Religion, politics, and tradition are often understood as the site where women’s bodies and their rights are debated. As Barbara Kruger reminds us, “your body is a battleground.” Our Bodies, Their Battleground: Art, Gender, and Politics is presented in conjunction with Wrongs & RIGHTS, curated by Laura Dvorkin and Maynard Monrow, and on view in the Kniznick Gallery through January 30, 2025.
Our Bodies, Their Battleground: Art, Gender, and Politics
A panel discussion with Ruth Erickson, Jameson Johnson, and Courtney Stock, Moderated by WSRC Director Harleen Singh
October 16, 2024
5:00 – 6:00 pm
Liberman-Miller Lecture Hall
Brandeis University
Register Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScH7bte-GocLRVMWKsbYLTjKR0W2OjCwR321uu0tR9lVUIFMg/viewform
PHOTO: Lesley Dill, I am Afraid to Own a Body, 1994, Photoetching, thread, 30 x 22 inches, Mortimer and Sara Hays Acquisition Fund, Rose Art Museum, Brandeis University, Courtesy of the Rose Art Museum | Photo by Sasha Pedro
Oct 15
Congratulations to Hampden County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls @hccswg commissioner Magdalena Gómez @amaxonica! Named Springfield`s Poet Laureate from 2019-2022, she has recently won the coveted International Latino Book Award for her highly acclaimed memoir noir, Mi’ja (Heliotrope Books, NYC; May, 2022).
http://www.mijamemoir.com/
Oct 10
We want to hear from you! Join the @masscsw and our partners for a virtual public hearing focusing on the impacts of issues relating to health and healthcare here in the Commonwealth.
Public Hearings are an opportunity for women across the Massachusetts to give testimony on issues that matter most to them, which directly inform MCSW`s policy priorities. We`re asking anyone interested in healthcare issues impacting women, children, and families to testify and share their experiences to learn from one another and create change, together.
The event is free and open to the public – and entirely virtual. Leaders and residents from across the Commonwealth are invited to attend, and testimony is open to any member of the public, including elected officials, to learn more about the topic at hand and hear directly from residents and constituents.
Translation, ASL, and other language and accessibility options are available – register to indicate your need via link in bio or at: https://bit.ly/MCSWvirtualyhealthhearing
#publichearing #testimony #yourstory #healthcare #healthcareissues #womenshealthcare #community #local #change
Oct 8