About the Girls Empowerment Leadership Initiative (GELI)

Welcome to the Girls Empowerment Leadership Initiative – also known as GELI!

Here at the MCSW, our mission is to advance the rights of all women and girls. We’re committed to building the future of the Commonwealth – starting by investing in the young women of Massachusetts. GELI seeks to empower young women ages 14-22 across the Commonwealth to advocate for themselves and their communities by focusing on developing leadership and civic engagement skills through educational workshops, skill-building opportunities, and the opportunity to connect with peers across the state.

For more information, please email us at MCSWprograms@mass.gov.

GELI Summit 2025

The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) is hosting an epic one-day in-person summit that is slated to be a once in a lifetime experience. The Girls Empowerment Leadership Initiative (GELI) 2025 Summit is being held at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) alongside Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) and WHOI Sea Grant. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience – you won’t want to miss it! Registration is now open – register here.

If you’re a fierce female between 14-22 interested in STEM and leadership in your community, this is YOUR moment to shine. This isn’t just an event – it’s your launchpad to becoming an extraordinary change maker in science, leadership, and community impact.

Are you ready to make waves? Mark Your Calendars and register now to join us on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Let’s rewrite the future, one empowered young woman at a time!

What’s in Store?

• Dive deep into STEM/STEAM adventures
• Connect with groundbreaking ocean science experts
• Build leadership skills that will transform your future
• Network with incredible peers who are ready to change the world
• Transportation, lunch, and more will be provided

Accommodations Available: If you are a D/deaf or person hard of hearing with a disability who requires an accommodation or are someone who would benefit from language interpretation in a language other than English (ex: Spanish, Portuguese, etc.), require physical access accommodations or any other supports to participate, please indicate your need(s) on the registration form or email MCSWPrograms@mass.gov. In your message, please provide your contact information and accommodation request.

Need Additional Information?

Contact mcswprograms@mass.gov if you have any additional questions.