This featured guest piece is an excerpt of our September 2024 newsletter.

Dear women and girls of the Commonwealth,Happy September! I hope this late summer edition of the MCSW Monthly newsletter finds you taking some time to unwind, spending time outdoors with friends and family, and doing whatever brings you joy while trying to stay cool. As you head back to school, our best wishes for staying safe, healthy, and happy this fiscal year! 

Here at the MCSW, I’m proud to announce we’ve recently held our FY25 elections. As a Navy Veteran with more than 14 years of service in both active duty and reserves, I was deeply honored to be named Chairwoman of MCSW for the upcoming term to champion the rights of the women and girls of the Commonwealth. I’m immensely grateful to my sister commissioners for their vote of confidence in me and am committed to honoring their service.

This new slate of elected leadership is an incredible cadre of community leaders with a diverse range of personal and professional experience. This dedicated and talented executive leadership team will only enhance our Commissions’ ability to focus on our ambitious legislative agenda and build lasting partnerships at the state and regional level.  

However, not only do I now represent Massachusetts, I also currently serve as President of the NACW, the National Association of Commissions for Women. While the MCSW proudly represents just one state, the NACW is the national umbrella for all commissions for women across America, the bridge between government and the private sector. Our membership reflects all age, economic, ethnic, and social groups.  

It holds a unique and positive position for women’s equity and justice and touches millions of women, playing a significant role in national policy and legislative development. What best practices we learn on the state level, we bring to the federal level to make deep and lasting social change. This is how we move the needle. States implement best practices that serve their communities, and the conversation expands to national audiences as we learn and grow together.  

The MCSW 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. Read the bios of the women that make up our new slate of leadership – learn more about all of our statewide and regional commissioners, connect with them, get involved, and invite them to whatever it is you’re working on. 

Here at the MCSW, we believe that change begins locally, with each and every one of us, and can slowly change the world.  

In solidarity, 
Commissioner Mary-dith Tuitt
MCSW Chairwoman