Worcester County Commission on the Status of Women

This month, we’re spotlighting our Worcester County Commission on the Status of Women (WCCSW) which was founded in 2013 with a mission to provide a permanent, effective voice for women and girls in Worcester County. Since their initial launch, WCCSW has maintained a strong presence in their cities and towns through continued legislative advocacy work, establishing a respectful working relationship with their local elected officials, state legislators, and community partners. They have held listening sessions, public hearings, panel discussions – and conducted surveys and needs assessments to better understand the most pressing issues facing their constituents.

Recent Highlights

In 2022, the Worcester County Commission went through a rebuilding phase after the loss of several commissioners during Covid. Longtime WCCSW Commissioner Chantel Bethea returned in April 2022 to lead a big recruitment effort that brought WCCSW back to a fully seated nine-member commission, inspiring strong re-engagement with local leaders and community partners on advocacy efforts for women and girls in the county. One of their initiatives was partnering with the Zero Fare Coalition, advocating for free public transportation in the city of Worcester – and another was their partnership with the Investing in Girls Alliance (IIGA) where they’ve remained active in the work of empowering girls in leadership.

In 2023, WCCSW hosted a legislative breakfast at Girls Inc. in Worcester where they presented their regional priorities and had an interactive discussion with state legislators, community partners, and local leaders. Their commitment to the Healthy Youth Act has brought them into partnering with the HYA Coalition. WCCSW also initiated their community advisory board which is composed of former regional commissioners and community partners focused on bettering the lives of women and girls in the county.

In 2024, WCCSW hosted a public hearing in Leominster with a focus on childcare and early childhood education. They partnered with community partners at Mount Wachusett Community College, showing their support for the Common Start Bill – and conducted a needs assessment survey across Worcester County. WCCSW also began exploring the process for launching a youth advisory council.

Learn more about the 2025-2026 Legislative Priorities of this region:

Current WCCSW Commissioners

Current WCCSW Commissioners: Chantel Bethea (Worcester), Mary Delaney (Gardner), Amanda Molina Dumas (Millbury), Kayanna James (Worcester), Cathleen Liberty (Worcester), Carlee Mills (Gardner), Michelle Quinones (Worcester), Marcia Chong Rosado (Milford), Amber Vayo (Berlin)

For more information about the commission: Worcester County CSW

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Worcester County Commissioners Chantel Bethea, Marcia Chong Rosado, Michelle Quinones, Amanda Molina Dumas, and WCCSW Emerita Sue Lewandowski met with legislators and community partners at their September 2023 Legislative Breakfast in Worcester at YWCA Central Massachusetts where they presented and discussed their regional priorities. MCSW Commissioner Kim Shea joined MCSW Executive Director Shaitia Spruell for the event. 

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Start ’em young! Worcester County CSW Commissioner Amanda Molina Dumas was in the presence of her baby girl as she took the oath of office at her local Town Clerk’s Office. Next generation leadership in action!

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WCCSW Chair Chantel Bethea has represented the commission well at several MCSW Regional Convenings, giving updates on the good work of the Worcester County Commission. 

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The Worcester County Commission was represented at MCSW’s Advocacy Day 2025 by Amanda Molina Dumas and Amber Vayo who met with their state legislators, engaging in thoughtful and productive conversations centered on their legislative priorities.