Apply to a Regional Commission

Thank you for your interest in the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) Regional Commissions. We accept applications to our 11 regional commissions on a rolling basis. To apply, you must complete this form, also linked below.

The MCSW exists to provide a permanent, effective voice for women and girls across Massachusetts. MCSW is comprised of 19 volunteer state commissioners, 11 regional commissions each with their own local leaders, girl-led youth councils, dedicated statewide staff members, and seasonal interns. There are many opportunities to get involved!

Each regional commission consists of 9-13 persons who are appointed by the MCSW to a 1–3-year initial term. Regional Commissioners are appointed by the MCSW (the statewide body).

Regional commission’s duties include: studying, reviewing, and reporting on the status of women and girls in the county; promoting and facilitating collaboration among local women and girl serving organizations; recommending policies that benefit women and girls to agencies, officers of the state, and local government; and holding fact-finding hearings and other public forums as it may deem necessary. Commissions typically meet monthly, or every two months, at the members’ discretion.

Commissioners are drawn from diverse range of personal and professional backgrounds, representing the many regions of the Commonwealth. The MCSW and its Regional Commissions represent and recognize all women, regardless of their age, race, color, creed, abilities, language, socio-economic status, immigration status, sexual orientation, or gender assigned at birth. To qualify, applicants must reside in the region to which they are applying:

The Regional Commission Process

Modeled after the MCSW, the 11 county and regional women’s commissions were legislatively created to study and report on the status of women and girls in their geographical areas, and to provide permanent and effective voices for women and girls. Each county and regional commission reports its findings annually to MCSW.

Once the legislation has passed to establish a county or regional commission, the MCSW solicits and reviews commissioner applications, makes appointments, hosts a formal inaugural event to have the new commissioners sworn in, and conducts an opening session. After the initial appointments have been made and the opening session conducted, the MCSW continues to offer support to the commissions and oversees the appointments and reappointments of their commissioners. The MCSW convenes with regional commissions bi-annually in order to maintain strong partnerships and build the capacity of regional commissions.

Local Women’s Commissions

There are currently 11 local Women’s Commissions that represent various cities and towns in the Commonwealth. While these Commissions are independent of MCSW, the Commission serves as a resource and partner for local commissions and maintains contact with them on a regular basis. They include:

• Boston Women’s Commission
• Brockton Mayor’s Commission on Women’s Issues
• Brookline Commission for Women
• Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women
• Chelsea Women’s Commission
• Melrose Commission on Women
• Newton Commission on the Status of Women
• Quincy Mayor’s Commission on Women
• Somerville Commission for Women
• Springfield Commission for Women
• Worcester City Manager’s Advisory Committee on the Status of Women