Plymouth County Commission on the Status of Women

Pride Month originated in June 1970 to commemorate the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York City. It evolved from single-day events into a nationwide month-long observance after being officially declared by President Bill Clinton in 1999. Pride is an annual celebration of LGBTQ+ communities, honoring the history, culture, and resilience of q***r individuals. It serves as a tribute to the pioneers of the gay liberation movement while acting as a call to action for ongoing civil rights, equality, and social change. This month and every month, the is committed to protecting and advancing the rights of all women and girls in the Commonwealth, 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.

Today, we remember and honor the brave women and men who gave their lives while serving our country.

We also recognize the women whose service and sacrifice have too often been overlooked throughout history. Their courage, dedication, and love of country helped shape the freedoms we have today.

We are deeply grateful to all who made the ultimate sacrifice, and to the families who continue to carry their memories forward.

Photo credit: iStock.com/flySnow

Funding to help crime victims, including survivors of domestic violence, s*xual assault, and child trafficking, is in jeopardy. Please contact your state senator and ask them to support amendment #240 for MOVA’s TRUST Line.

"A condition affecting 1 in 8 women worldwide just got a new name and it could mark an important step forward for women’s health.

Previously known as polycystic o***y syndrome (PCOS), experts are now referring to the condition as polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). According to The Endocrine Society and research published in The Lancet, the former name often failed to capture the full reality of the condition, reducing a complex hormonal and metabolic disorder to ovarian cysts, which many patients do not actually have.

The condition can impact hormones, metabolism, fertility, mental health, weight regulation, skin, and long term cardiovascular health. Yet for years, many women have faced delayed diagnoses, dismissal, and inadequate treatment. Experts hope this shift in terminology will lead to greater awareness, more research, and better care.

This is about more than a name change, it is about finally taking women’s health seriously." -- via The Female Quotient

For an insightful book that explores how women's health has long been neglected, we highly recommend "All in Her Head: The Truth and Lies Early Medicine Taught Us About Women's Bodies and Why It Matters Today" at https://bookshop.org/a/8011/9780063293014 (Bookshop) and https://amzn.to/4lKkRoO (Amazon)

British medical historian Elinor Cleghorn has also written an important book about the historical and systemic reasons the medical system fails girls and women: "Unwell Women: Misdiagnosis and Myth in a Man-Made World" at https://www.amightygirl.com/unwell-women

For a book for tween and teen girls focused specifically on female health, we recommend "Taking Care of Your 'Girls': A Breast Health Guide for Girls, Teens, and In-Betweens" for ages 10 and up at https://www.amightygirl.com/taking-care-of-your-girls

For resources to help girls understand and feel prepared for menstruation – including knowing when she should talk to a medical professional for help – visit our blog post ‘That Time of the Month’: Teaching Your Mighty Girl about Her Menstrual Cycle” at https://www.amightygirl.com/blog?p=11614

To stay connected with A Mighty Girl, you can sign-up for our free weekly email newsletter at https://www.amightygirl.com/forms/newsletter

We’re proud to release our new report highlighting the top issues and policy priorities identified during our recent Legislative Breakfast.

The conversations were thoughtful, candid, and grounded in lived experience. Community members, legislators, and local officials discussed critical issues affecting women and families across Plymouth County, including women’s health, caregiver support, menstrual equity, economic opportunity, and domestic violence awareness.

One message came through clearly: People want systems that work better and policies that reflect the reality of women’s lives

We’re grateful to everyone who joined us and shared their perspectives—and to the legislators and local officials who listened. This report is intended to help continue the conversation and turn these insights into action.

>> Read the full report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ff81_Bwurox4IGOnJ8QvZvUEn88brTRW/view?usp=sharing

Congratulations to all of the women who received this year's scholarships from the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women! 👏👏👏

Congratulations! We're thrilled to present our 2026-2027 Academic Scholarship Awardees. On behalf of all of us here at the , we're proud to recognize this year’s incredible scholarship recipients for their hard work, academic excellence, and dedication to making a difference in their lives and in their communities. Over the next few days, we’ll be highlighting each of our awardees and celebrating their achievements, passions, and future goals. Join us in celebrating:

- Nayeli Almanzar Lizardo: UMass Lowell, Spring 2027
- Aleigha Rivard: Salem State University, August 27
- Jacqueline Robles: Westfield State University & Holyoke Community College, May 2028
- Bryana Siqueira: Framingham State University, Spring 2028
- Sabrina Soltani: UMass Boston, June 2027

Learn more about our 2026-2027 scholarship recipients: https://masscsw.org/2026/04/21/celebrating-our-2026-2027-mcsw-scholarship-winners/

Happy Mother’s Day!

To every mother, stepmother, grandmother, foster mom, and woman who has shown up for someone who needed you, we see you. We see your strength, sacrifice, and love.

Today, we celebrate you and thank you for everything you do.

More than 150 years in the making 🏇

Cherie DeVaux has made history as the first woman to train a Kentucky Derby winner, with her horse Golden Tempo capturing the 152nd running of the race. After starting at the back of the pack, Golden Tempo, ridden by jockey Jose Ortiz, surged ahead in the final stretch of America’s most iconic horse race.

The victory marks a milestone decades in the making. Only 19 starters in Derby history have been trained by women. Before DeVaux, the closest a woman had come to winning was Shelley Riley, who finished second with Casual Lies in 1992.

DeVaux began her career as a stable worker, rose to become an assistant trainer, and launched her own stable in 2018. She had long set her sights on the achievement, once saying the “only thing that I want to do in my career is be the first female to win a Kentucky Derby.”

Our Legislative Breakfast on Saturday was fantastic!

We had two hours of excellent conversations about issues important to women and girls, which we wish would could have continued long past the event ended.

Important topics: women’s health, including menopause and Black maternal health; caregiving; support for domestic violence survivors; menstrual equity; geriatric care; access to quality healthcare; nursing shortage; educating newcomers to the U.S. about home ownership; and much more.

Special thanks to the legislators who attended: State Senator Michael D. Brady, State Rep. Michelle Badger, Bridget Plouffe for State Representative, State Representative Dennis C. Gallagher, State Rep. Rita Mendes, Brockton City Councilor Susan Nicastro, Brockton School Committee member Tony Rodrigues, and Bridgewater Town Councilor Mark E. Linde.

State Senator Dylan Fernandes and Representative David DeCoste also had staff members attend.

Thank you to everyone -- including our sister MCSW commissioners, PCCSW friends, and the event team at Bridgewater State University -- who helped make this event a huge success!

Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women