This featured guest piece is an excerpt of our October 2026 newsletter.

Dear MCSW Community:  

Happy October! Autumn is upon us, a reminder that to everything, there is a season. 

And that includes all of us here at the MCSW! As the program year kicks into full swing, but the 194th Legislative Session winds down, we’re coordinating with our regional commissions, planning for a robust FY27 events calendar, and working in coalition with countless partners across the state to advance an ambitious agenda of priority legislation that advances the rights of all women and girls across Massachusetts. 

October is a special month for me, with many calls to take care of yourself along this journey of life. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and as a breast cancer survivor, I understand firsthand the importance of preventive care, early detection, and equitable access to healthcare. My experiences reinforced my belief that health outcomes are shaped not only by medical care, but also by education, housing, transportation, childcare, employment, and financial stability. 

For me, advocacy is not a professional responsibility. It is a personal commitment born from experience, resilience, and a belief that every person deserves the opportunity to thrive. I proudly serve as a Chair of the Program and Planning Committee for the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW). Through this leadership role, I work to advance equity and opportunity for women and girls across the Commonwealth. 

Growing up in a small community in MetroWest Massachusetts, my path was anything but traditional. I left high school at age 17 and spent several years navigating housing instability, food insecurity, and uncertainty before discovering the transformative power of education. 

Determined to create a different future, I returned to school and earned degrees in Criminal Justice and Nursing before completing both a Master’s degree in Nursing Education and a Doctor of Nursing Practice. Education became the foundation for my career in healthcare, leadership, and public service. 

Professionally, I now serve as Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences at Mount Wachusett Community College, where I lead programs preparing the next generation of healthcare and public safety professionals. Yet one of the lessons I share most often is that leadership does not require a title. Meaningful change begins when ordinary people choose to get involved, speak up, and serve their communities. For me, leadership is measured not by titles or accomplishments, but by the lives touched, the voices amplified, and the doors opened for others.  

The first week in October is also Mental Illness Awareness Week, established in 1990 by the U.S. Congress and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). It culminates on October 10, designated as World Mental Health Day by the U.N. Whether your body or your mind, taking care of yourself is the first step towards taking care of your communities. 

And just how are those communities doing, you ask? Here at the MCSW, we previously released a series of reports on the impact of COVID-19 and related recommendations to improve the status of all women in the Commonwealth. We’ve recently collected a new set of data to serve as a follow-up to our COVID-19 series research bringing a more up-to-date picture of the status of women and girls in MA. As we reflect on the years that have passed, we’re releasing an updated report, a snapshot of how women and girls are faring in the Commonwealth in the years since the pandemic.  

Interested in the updated report? Save the date and join our Virtual Report Briefing on Thursday November 5, 2026 from 12:30PM – 1:30PM. RSVP here. We’ll be sure to share the updated report, statistics, and slideshow with any organizations or elected officials interested in the updated data.  

Thank you for contributing your voice and perspective to our work. When we work together towards a common goal, anything is possible.  

In solidarity,
Dr. Kim Shea 
MCSW State Commissioner
Chairwoman, Program and Policy Committee

Dr. Kimberly Shea, DNP, RN is the Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences at Mount Wachusett Community College, as well as an adjunct faculty member at several area Colleges. As a registered nurse and higher education professional, Kim represents two of the professional skill sets that the Commission itself identified as missing in its current composition. Kim lives in Winchendon, MA, which is also an under-represented geographic area. Representing a rural community and these professions, Kim brings a unique perspective to the Commission, as well as her life experience raising a family in the area and as an active community member.