MetroWest Commission on the Status of Women and Girls

This month, we’re spotlighting our MetroWest County Commission on the Status of Women (MWCSW) which was founded in 2015 with a mission to provide a permanent, effective voice for women and girls in the MetroWest region, which includes the towns of Ashland, Bellingham, Dover, Framingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Maynard, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Natick, Needham, Norfolk, Northborough, Norwood, Sherborn, Southborough, Stow, Sudbury, Walpole, Wayland, Wellesley, Westborough, Weston and Wrentham, and the city of Marlborough.

Since their initial launch, MWCSW has maintained a strong working relationship with their state legislators through ongoing advocacy inspired by the testimony they’ve received from listening sessions, public hearings, panel discussions, and community conversations. MWCSW was the first regional commission to launch a youth advisory council (Athena Council) with a focus on gathering testimony from middle and high school girls on issues of importance to them.

Recent Highlights

In 2022, MetroWest Commissioners partnered with the Northborough Women’s Club for a virtual panel discussion on human trafficking which featured several distinguished speakers including State Senator Harriet Chandler. The MWCSW Athena Council surveyed teens in the region on matters related to mental health and presented the results at two community events which led to an invitation from Senate President Karen Spilka to present the results at the State House during a youth leadership conference.

MWCSW also hosted a panel discussion about Title IX, what it has accomplished and what still needs to be done. In 2023, the MetroWest Athena Council hosted a virtual event on the topic of Redefining Feminism, featuring three local panelists from nearby schools and colleges – and MetroWest Commissioners hosted a conversation on the topic of caregiving at Holliston Town Hall which featured Senate President Karen Spilka and Jessica Constantino, Director of Advocacy at AARP Massachusetts as keynote speakers. Several state legislators were in attendance. They also attended a rally at the State House with their Athena Council in support of the I AM Bill, which has been a longstanding regional priority.

In 2024, MetroWest CSW kicked off the year with a highly successful panel discussion at MassBay Community College in Wellesley on the topic of human trafficking awareness, where actress Ashley Judd served as the featured speaker and Lieutenant Kim Driscoll offered opening remarks. MWCSW Commissioners also hosted a virtual listening session where constituents spoke on matters of concern – and the MetroWest Athena Council facilitated a virtual conversation on the topic of women in leadership and participated in an event on menstrual equity at Mass Bay Community College in Framingham while also launching a regional youth survey on the issue.

Current MWCSW Commissioners

Current MWCSW Commissioners: Lisa MacDonald (Natick), Kathleen Marchi (Millis), Anne Mattina (Hopkinton), Amie Rotundi (Medway), Sophia Rousseau (Natick), Odessa Sanchez (Wellesley), Alexandra Todorov (Framingham), Jennifer Wuelfing (Hopkinton)

For more information about the commission: MetroWest CSW.

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MetroWest CSW Chair Lisa MacDonald, Vice Chair Jennifer Wuelfing, and incoming Chair Odessa Sanchez met with State Senator James Eldridge at MCSW’s Advocacy Day 2025 to discuss legislative priorities.

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MetroWest Athena Council members joined Senate President Karen Spilka at the State House in April 2023 for a conversation about mental health and how it affects young people.

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State legislators joined MetroWest Commissioners in March 2023 for their regional panel discussion in Holliston on the topic of caregiving where Senate President Karen Spilka served as panelist.

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MetroWest CSW Commissioners hosted an outstanding community forum on the topic of human trafficking in January 2024 where they were joined by actress Ashley Judd who served as the keynote speaker and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll who offered opening remarks.

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MWCSW Commissioners co-hosted a Saturday Career Fair with members of the MetroWest Athena Council where they met with high school girls in the region to discuss the many career possibilities that are available.