Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women

Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women The MCSW is an independent state agency whose mission is to provide a permanent, effective voice for women and girls across Massachusetts.

The mission of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) is to provide a permanent effective voice for women and girls across Massachusetts. The Commission stands for fundamental freedoms, basic human rights and the full enjoyment of life for all women and girls throughout their lives. The MCSW was legislatively created in 1998 as an independent state agency seeking to advance equ

ality for women across the state, and to promote their rights and opportunities. The commission consists of 19 volunteer commissioners who are appointed by the Governor, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Caucus of Women Legislators. For more than 25 years now, the Commission and our regional bodies have worked to advance the rights and opportunities of all women and girls across Massachusetts, and advance an inclusive environment for everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, color, s*x, age, disability (seen and unseen), genetic information, s*xual orientation, gender identity, parental status, marital status, socioeconomic status or background. Under MA Chapter 3, Section 66 of the Massachusetts General Laws the MCSW is empowered to:
• Study, review and report on the status of women in the Commonwealth
• Advise executive and legislative bodies on the effect of proposed legislation on women
• Inform leaders of business, education, health care, state and local governments and the communications media of issues pertaining to women
• Provide referrals and serve as a resource of information on issues pertaining to women;
• Identify and recommend qualified women for positions at all levels of government
• Promote and facilitate collaboration among local women's commissions and among women’s organizations in the state
• Serve as a liaison between government and private interest groups concerned with issues affecting women.

The MetroWest Commission on the Status of Women celebrated the work of their youth advisory group, the Athena Council, d...
08/28/2026

The MetroWest Commission on the Status of Women celebrated the work of their youth advisory group, the Athena Council, discussed achievements from FY26, and elected new MWCSW officers at their Wellesley retreat at Barton Community Room this summer. Congratulations and best wishes for another great year ahead!

In 1973, Congresswoman Bella Abzug, one of just 16 women serving in the U.S. House of Representatives at the time, champ...
08/26/2026

In 1973, Congresswoman Bella Abzug, one of just 16 women serving in the U.S. House of Representatives at the time, championed legislation designating August 26 as Women’s Equality Day, commemorating the certification of the 19th Amendment and women’s constitutional right to vote.

Women’s Equality Day honors the generations of women who endured opposition, sacrifice, and hardship in the long fight for the vote. It ensures that their courage, persistence, and determination—and the history of the movement they built—are remembered and recognized.

It is also a reminder that the pursuit of equality did not end with the 19th Amendment. Women’s Equality Day calls us to reflect on the progress that has been made and the work that remains to achieve full equality, including the ongoing effort to secure recognition of the Equal Rights Amendment.

Ariana Contreras, a Regional Commissioner with the Ess*x County Commission on the Status of Women, presented at the firs...
08/25/2026

Ariana Contreras, a Regional Commissioner with the Ess*x County Commission on the Status of Women, presented at the first Lynn City Council’s Women & Gender Equity Committee on July 7. Contreras informed the committee members of the important work for women and girls conducted by the regional commissions and shared the “We Are Here” magazine, highlighting important issues for girls in Ess*x County, by ECCSW’s Youth Advisory Council, the Ginsburg Initiative. Read the digital zine here: https://masscsw.org/2026/02/03/ess*x-county-ginsburg-initiative-creates-digital-zine-for-girls/

08/24/2026

Here at the , we believe that access to healthy food is crucial component of the overall health and safety of all women, children, and families. Elizabeth Wills-O'gilvie of the Springfield Food Policy Council and Gardening the Community is calling on state legislators to convene a special legislative session and allocate additional funding to DTA to hire more workers and ensure people can access the SNAP benefits for which they are eligible. Under new federal rules, nearly 120,000 households (including 64,000 kids) have lost SNAP benefits in Massachusetts during the past 2 years. As families lose access to SNAP, they often turn to their local food pantries, straining an emergency food system already pressed to its limits. We stand in solidarity with Liz, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, and countless others in calling on the Commonwealth to provide DTA with the resources needed to adequately staff the agency. At the federal level, we call on Congress to pass a Farm Bill that reverses the SNAP cuts enacted through H.R.1. Learn more: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cySVHVT_K7bweXR0qKpH_JN5BY31IsoiE_DpgA8S4Y0/edit?tab=t.0

The Upper Middles*x Commission on the Status of Women hosted their annual Coffee with Commissioners event in Ashby this ...
08/24/2026

The Upper Middles*x Commission on the Status of Women hosted their annual Coffee with Commissioners event in Ashby this summer, attended by State Representative Margaret Scarsdale and Senator John J. Cronin, for a discussion of UMCSW’s legislative priorities. Thank you for amplifying the voices of women and girls in your region!

The Ess*x County Commission on the Status of Women held a menstrual equity “Period Palooza” during their Ginsburg Day of...
08/20/2026

The Ess*x County Commission on the Status of Women held a menstrual equity “Period Palooza” during their Ginsburg Day of Service at the Peabody Institute Library of Danvers this summer. They exceeded expectations by creating 200 period kits—doubling their goal—while also writing postcards to legislators supporting the Bill and donating clothing.

Do you live in Hampshire or Franklin County? Are you interested in becoming a Commissioner with the Hampshire Franklin C...
08/20/2026

Do you live in Hampshire or Franklin County? Are you interested in becoming a Commissioner with the Hampshire Franklin Commission on the Status of Women and Girls? The HFCSW, one of 11 regional commissions of the MA Women’s Commission, is currently seeking applicants for volunteer commissioner positions. Commissioners work to advance the status of women and girls throughout by engaging with local communities through public events and hearings that advocate for legislative priorities and more. Are you interested or know someone who would be a great fit? Apply or share widely with your audiences, colleagues, and friends!

https://bit.ly/regionalapply

Hey Massachusetts! The deadline to register to vote is THIS SATURDAY, August 22, 2026, and it marks the start of early v...
08/19/2026

Hey Massachusetts! The deadline to register to vote is THIS SATURDAY, August 22, 2026, and it marks the start of early voting in our state for the primaries. Check or update your voter registration via the Secretary of State's office, mail in your ballot, vote early 8/22-8/28, or vote on Election Day 9/1 - but just be sure you vote!

Use this checklist to make sure you’re ready:
✅ Register to vote: www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr
✅ Decide how you’ll vote: www.vote411.org
✅ Find your polling place: www.wheredoIvotema.com
✅ VOTE!

08/19/2026

ELECTION DAY REMINDER - IMPORTANT DATES

This Saturday starts in person early voting and it is also the deadline to register to vote. You can check your registration here: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/voterregistrationsearch/

Please remember that if you have moved since the last time you registered you will need to update your address here: https://www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr/ This applies to dorm and other residential addresses. (This may also change your polling place on September 1.)

Address

One Ashburton Place, 16th Floor
Boston, MA
02108

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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