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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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
The state commissioners of the #MSCW have come together to release a statement about the importance of using your voice and casting your vote in local, state, and federal elections. Our overall economic, social, and cultural well-being of the people in our Commonwealth depends on each and every one of you exercising your rights and living your values. Read our statement via link in bio and then make a plan to #vote on or before Tuesday, November 5, 2024. #electionday #mapoli
https://masscsw.org/2024/10/01/the-mcsw-wants-you-to-vote-this-november/
Oct 7
The @investingingirlsalliance (#IIGA) is hosting their first training on their Thrive Benchmarks for Positive Mental Health. Thrive Benchmarks are grounded in research to lay a foundation for empowering middle school girls to thrive as adults.
These 90-minute sessions use the IIGA Thrive Benchmarks and your program ideas to add value to the programs you already provide. Add to your skills and find ways to apply benchmarks to your daily work with middle school girls. Participants will leave with a proactive look at their programs, a network of professionals engaged in similar work, and an online and paper survey to measure results.
Positive Mental Health for Middle School Girls
Wednesday, October 16, 2024
10:30 am- 12:00 pm
Register Here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MH_Oct2024
Oct 7
MCSW Commissioner Carol Fusia Campbell marks women’s small business month by sharing her powerful story as an entrepreneur, and how it has shaped her business and her advocacy for the rights of all women in leadership. Read this month’s featured guest piece in the October 2024 edition of the #MCSW Monthly via link in bio or at masscsw.org. #womenssmallbusinessmonth #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #womenempowerment #women #womenempowerment #leadership
Oct 4
We agree with the @leagueofwomenvoters: Voting is totally fetch! 💅
Happy Mean Girls Day to all who celebrate! Tag three friends to remind them to register or check their registration status. ⬇️ #vote #voterregistration
Oct 3
Here at the #MCSW, language inclusion and access to translation services is central to our mission of hearing from all women of the Commonwealth. Do you want to share your story but require translation services? Are you d/Deaf or hard of hearing and need ASL/hearing aid support? Register for our upcoming Hampshire-Franklin Hybrid Public Hearing via link in bio and indicate your needs. We`ll be happy to assist. #languagelearning #LanguageAccess
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Oct 2
Join us in congratulating #MCSW State Commissioner Divya Chaturvedi, who recently became the new Executive Director of the @elizabeth_freeman_center! The 24/7 domestic violence and sexual assault crisis center that serves Berkshire County has welcomed a new leader for the first time since 2008 to take over operations. Learn more about the great work the #EFC does and what experience Divya brings to the role via @wamcradio WAMC Northeast Public Radio or via link in story: https://www.wamc.org/news/2024-09-10/my-passion-is-empowering-women-elizabeth-freeman-center-taps-chaturvedi-as-its-new-executive-director
Sep 24
We want to hear from you! Join the @masscsw and @hampshirefranklincommission for an upcoming hybrid public hearing focusing on issues affecting women and girls in the Commonwealth – this time in the Old Chapel at @umass Amherst! Your input on issues that matter to you directly informs the MCSW legislative agenda and policy priorities. Join us and make your voice heard. Register now via link in bio or at: https://bit.ly/HampshireFranklinHearing
Sep 19