Essex County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls

This month, we’re spotlighting our Essex County Commission on the Status of Women (ECCSW) which was founded in 2018 with a mission to provide a permanent, effective voice for women and girls in the Essex County region, which includes Saugus, Lynnfield, Lynn, Peabody, Swampscott, Salem, Marblehead, Danvers, Beverly, Middleton, Topsfield, Wenham, Hamilton, Manchester-by-the-sea, Essex, Gloucester, Rockport, Ipswich, Rowley, Newbury, Newburyport, Salisbury, Amesbury, Merrimac, West Newbury, Haverhill, Groveland, Georgetown, North Andover, Andover, Methuen, and Lawrence.

Since their initial launch, the commission has maintained a strong working relationship with their state legislators, hosting conversations regarding regional priorities that stem from the testimony gathered from their constituents. This testimony comes through community conversations, surveys, listening sessions, public hearings, and panel discussions – all of which help guide their legislative advocacy, both locally and on the state level.

Recent Highlights

In 2022, ECCSW hosted a virtual gathering on the topic of self-care, “Creating Balance, Harmony, and Joy in an Uncertain World” – and a virtual panel discussion with three women leaders at the local and state level focused on “Amplifying the Asian Voice.” They also launched their Ginsburg Initiative, bringing together a cohort of young women from across the county to learn more about advocacy and the legislative process.

In 2023, ECCSW welcomed MCSW Commissioners to North Shore Community College in Lynn where they joined community partners to testify on issues of importance to women in Essex County. ECCSW hosted their state legislators in February of that year, engaging in a thoughtful conversation about their regional priorities – and brought on their first regional intern who helped guide the work of their Ginsburg Initiative. They also hosted a listening session for women in Haverhill to learn more about issues that mattered to them.

In 2024, ECCSW hosted a virtual public meeting on the topic of housing, inviting local housing leaders for a conversation on the county’s housing needs and emerging programs that would help create more affordable and diverse housing options. They also sponsored a panel discussion at The Cabot in Beverly where women’s accomplishments were highlighted and current threats to women’s rights were discussed. The Ginsburg Initiative continued their good work, focusing on period poverty and attending the MassNow Period Poverty Summit where they learned about the I AM Bill and how to advocate for the passage of it. ECCSW also stepped up to co-lead the Parity on Boards Coalition, along with MCSW and the Eastern Regional Commission, and continues to prioritize their advocacy for more board parity in the county and across the state.

Current ECCSW Commissioners

Kirsten Alexander (Wenham), Helen McDermott (Beverly), Brenda Pena (Lynn), Geetha Rao Ramani (Andover), Amy Smith (Salem), Ivanna Solano (Lynn), Sara Stanley (Rowley), Brianna Sullivan (Newburyport), Maeva Veillard (Methuen).

For more information about the commission: Essex County CSW.

Below Photos:
Essex County CSW Commissioners Brianna Sullivan and Maeva Veillard joined members of their Ginsburg Initiative (Youth Advisory Council) for the MassNOW Period Equity Summit.

Above Photos: ECCSW hosted a listening session in Haverhill where they heard from members of the community on issues of importance to them.

Above Photos: ECCSW Commissioners join State Senator Joan Lovely and community partners at the MCSW public hearing in Lynn.

Above Photo: ECCSW Commissioner Sara Stanley met up with former Commissioners Nicole McClain and Julie Rose at the Voices Against Injustice Awards at the Peabody Essex Museum.