This featured guest piece is an excerpt of our December 2025 newsletter.

My Dearest MCSW Community:  

It’s hard to believe it, but the holiday season is upon us once again. From all of us here at the MCSW, may your spirits be bright and your tables be full this holiday season.

In times of uncertainty and scarcity, I draw hope from all of you. Your work over this past year has not gone unnoticed – you’ve met with legislators, engaged with the community, and have set the standard for what it means for a government agency to represent its community. Here at the MCSW, liberty and justice for all aren’t just words – they’re our values, and we’re committed to advancing our mission with purpose in 2026 and beyond. 

As a teen mom who is now the Executive Director of a statewide independent agency that advocates for all women and girls, I take that commitment very seriously. That’s why I’m particularly proud of our MCSW Scholarship program, where we’re awarding five, $5,000 academic scholarships for the 2026-2027 school year. If you’re a student or know someone who is, apply today! The application portal closes at 11:59 pm on January 2, 2026. If you’re a member of this community who wants to support the MCSW Scholarship fund by investing in the educational attainment of women and girls, please consider making a contribution to the MCSW this giving season. It’s only possible when we all work together.

Finally, it was my personal goal – and honor – to visit all 11 Regional Commissions of the MCSW this year in an effort to foster better relationships, build stronger coalitions, and stay better connected to each other. Together, they held listening sessions, legislative breakfasts, attended summits, and championed an ambitious legislative agenda that advances the rights of all women and girls of the Commonwealth. I look forward to celebrating alongside all of you when some of those bills cross the finish line at the end of the 194th legislative session in 2026. If it’s your New Year’s resolution to get more involved in your local community, consider applying as a regional commissioner. You’ll join an incredible cadre of women working to make their corners of the Commonwealth just a little brighter.

Happy Holidays to all,
Shaitia Spruell
MCSW Executive Director

Shaitia Spruell, a proud Black and Puerto Rican woman from Springfield, MA, who now resides in Lancaster, serves as the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW). In this capacity, she leads efforts to advance equity for women and girls across the state, working with State Commissioners to set and achieve goals that promote fundamental rights and opportunities for all. Shaitia holds an A.A. from Holyoke Community College, a B.S. from Bay Path University, and is currently pursuing her MBA at Fitchburg State University. In her personal life, she enjoys spending quality time with her partner and two sons, Aaden and Lorenzo, as well as indulging in couponing and watching movies together as a family.

Read our December 2025 Regional Spotlight