Boston, Mass (August 5, 2024) – The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) has elected new leadership to their executive team for FY25. The MCSW is an independent stage agency comprised of 19 volunteer Commissioners whose mission is to provide a permanent and effective voice for women and girls across the Commonwealth. Their work includes legislative and public policy advocacy, gathering data, conducting public hearings on key issues and to gather data that advances the rights of all women and girls across the Commonwealth, and more.

The Commission welcomes: 

Mary-dith Tuitt was elected as our incoming Chairwoman. A Boston resident, Navy Veteran, and Community and Peer Veteran Specialist, Tuitt was first appointed to the Commission by the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators (MCWL) in 2011. She previously served as both the Chair and the Vice-Chair of the MCSW’s Legislative and Public Policy Committee, as well as serving as the current President of the National Association for Commissions for Women (NACW). 

Christine Monska, of Auburndale, was elected as the MCSW Vice-Chair, and first appointed to the MCSW by the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators (MCWL) in 2020. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Women’s Fund SouthCoast in New Bedford where she increases opportunities for women and girls to become economically independent, access education, and advocate for issues in the region.  

Tanisha Arena, a Springfield resident, was elected as the MCSW Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee. Arena was appointed to the Commission by the the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators (MCWL) in November 2021 and is the current Executive Director of ARISE for Social Justice, an organization committed to community organizing, education, and advocacy. 

Dr. Kimberly Shea, of Winchendon, was elected to serve as the MCSW Secretary. Kimberly has serves for many years the in healthcare and education field. She is the current Dean of Nursing at Mount Wachusett Community College, as well as an adjunct faculty member at several area Colleges. As a registered nurse and higher education professional, as well as her life experience raising a family in the area and as an active community member, she brings a unique perspective to the Commission, proudly representing her rural community. 

Dr. Aisha Miller was re-elected as the new Chair of the MCSW Program and Planning Committee. Formerly our Vice-Chair, Dr. Miller is a resident of Mattapan who was first appointed by the MCWL in 2021. She is the Vice President of Permitting, Community, and Corporate Engagement for Related Beal, which aims to enrich people’s lives through high quality design and development. 

Guimel DeCarvalho, of Natick, was elected as the next Chair of MCSW’s Legislative and Public Policy Committee. First appointed to the Commission by Senate President Karen E. Spilka in November 2021, she speaks fluent Portuguese and lives in Natick with her wife and son. She is Wayside Youth & Family Support Network’s first Vice President of People and Culture and Chief Diversity Officer. Guimel cofounded Natick Is United, a community antiracist organization, and recently launched the Wayside Equity Training Center to provide antiracist trainings and strategic planning support for non-profits and community organizations. 

“This is an incredible cadre of community leaders with a diverse range of personal and professional experience. This dedicated and talented executive leadership team will enhance this Commissions’ ability to focus on our ambitious legislative agenda on behalf of all across in the Commonwealth,” said the immediate past MCSW Chairwoman Dr. Sarah Glenn-Smith.  

“The Commission recently celebrated its 25-year anniversary, and all current state and regional Commissioners as well as staff are elated to see what these unique experiences and backgrounds will bring in the next 25 years,” said MCSW Executive Director Shaitia Spruell.  

The Commission exists to provide a permanent, effective voice for women across Massachusetts. The MCSW represents and recognizes all women, regardless of their age, race, color, creed, abilities, language, socio-economic status, immigration status, sexual orientation, or gender assigned at birth.   

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The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) is an independent state agency created in 1998 to provide a permanent, effective voice for women of the Commonwealth and to promote their rights, opportunities, and equality for all. Follow MCSW on Facebook, X, Instagram, or LinkedIn to learn more.