Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women

Read this month's featured guest piece in the June 2026 edition of the Monthly from MCSW Commissioner Lise Olney. Commissioner Olney, a 2025 Commonwealth Heroine nominated by State Representative Alice Peisch, congratulates the Class of 2026 – a group of 147 extraordinary women who make up the largest class of awardees since the program’s inception in 2004! Read her full featured guest piece here:

Honoring Our Commonwealth Heroines - Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women This featured guest piece is an excerpt of our June 2026 newsletter. Dear MCSW Community: This month, the MCSW proudly…

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.

Join us in celebrating the Commonwealth Heroines Class of 2026!! Each year, elected officials are encouraged to submit one woman from their constituency as a means of recognizing their invaluable efforts and extraordinary acts of service, who are making a big difference in their communities but not necessarily making the news.

This year, the Class of 2026 Commonwealth Heroines comprises a historic 148 women from all across the state, the largest class awarded to date by the . These women are leaders in industry, business, nonprofit, advocacy, and more, and their work truly makes a difference in our local communities all across the state. Congratulations to the Class of 2026!

View the full class list on our website: https://masscsw.org/2026/04/30/celebrating-the-class-of-2026-commonwealth-heroines/

Join Bloom in Generations!

Breaking Limits. Owning Our Moments.

Bloom in Generations creates a meaningful space where women 16+ can honor the wisdom of the generations before them while stepping confidently into who they are becoming.

Through intergenerational conversations, storytelling, creative community activities, and opportunities for connection, this gathering is designed to uplift, inspire, and bring women together across generations. The event will also feature local women-owned vendors and organizations doing impactful work in the community.

Saturday, June 27, 2026
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
King Philip’s Stockade Pavilion
Springfield, Massachusetts

If you live in Ashby or surrounding areas, please join members of our Upper Middles*x Commission on the Status of Women and two of our state legislators, State Senator John J. Cronin and State Representative Margaret Scarsdale, for an evening coffee conversation about the issues facing women and girls in Upper Middles*x County. The event will be held next Tuesday, June 2nd from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Ashby Public Library - see attached flyer for more details. ☕️

We’re over the moon - the professional photos from MCSW’s Girls Empowerment Leadership Initiative (GELI) 2026 Summit at UMass Amherst are now available!! A special thank you to Visual Sound Productions, Inc., for capturing the spirit and joy of the day. Incredibly grateful to all who joined us. Tag yourself and share with a friend!
View the full gallery and download your favorites (tag us !) https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1BCAOwdUBvm4XgkuxS8jLFFdL11b1ldYY

The next recipient of the 2026 MCSW Scholarship is Sabrina Soltani.

Originally from Algeria, Sabrina is a dedicated student, advocate, and proud single mother currently pursuing a degree in IT Management at UMass Boston with a focus on Information Architecture. After overcoming homelessness, she remained committed to her education and personal growth, exploring fields such as cybersecurity and AI automation while working to create a better future for herself and her son.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Sabrina has served on a Family Aid Council for the past two years, advocating for families experiencing housing insecurity and hardship. Her resilience, leadership, and commitment to creating positive change embody the mission and values of the MCSW Scholarship. We are proud to recognize Sabrina and celebrate her accomplishments.

The next recipient of the 2026 MCSW Scholarship is Nayeli Almanzar Lizardo.

A first-generation scholar at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Nayeli is majoring in psychology with a focus on behavior analysis and minoring in business administration. As an Honors College student, she is passionate about advancing equity, uplifting underserved communities, and amplifying youth voices through civic engagement and community-centered leadership.

Nayeli’s dedication to education, advocacy, and creating meaningful opportunities for others reflects the mission and values of the MCSW Scholarship. We are proud to recognize her achievements and celebrate her continued impact.