Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women

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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 equality 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.

Between 2020 and 2022, the released a series of reports examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and gir...
10/15/2026

Between 2020 and 2022, the released a series of reports examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and girls and offering recommendations to improve their status and well-being.

And just how are those communities doing all these years later, you ask? 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 snapshot report of how women and girls are faring in the Commonwealth.

Join us on 11/5 for a virtual report briefing to explore the findings, learn key statistics, and explore county snapshots of data that ultimately inform our policy recommendations.

RSVP for the Report Briefing Here: bit.ly/MCSWreportbrief

Read the Report Here: https://masscsw.org/2026/09/29/new-report-update/

The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) is committed to improving the lives of women within Commonwealth of…

Have a passion for making a difference in your community? Do you care about issues impacting women and girls? We’re seek...
10/15/2026

Have a passion for making a difference in your community? Do you care about issues impacting women and girls? We’re seeking applicants to join our Hampshire Franklin Commission on the Status of Women and Girls! Apply today to join the team: https://bit.ly/HampshireFranklinCSW

Have a passion for making a difference in your community? Do you care about issues impacting women and girls? We’re seek...
10/14/2026

Have a passion for making a difference in your community? Do you care about issues impacting women and girls? We’re seeking applicants to join our Hampden County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls! Apply today to join the team: https://bit.ly/HampdenCSW

Have a passion for making a difference in your community? Do you care about issues impacting women and girls? We’re seek...
10/13/2026

Have a passion for making a difference in your community? Do you care about issues impacting women and girls? We’re seeking applicants to join our Ess*x County Commission on the Status of Women! Apply today to join the team: https://bit.ly/Ess*xCSW

Have a passion for making a difference in your community? Do you care about issues impacting women and girls? We’re seek...
10/09/2026

Have a passion for making a difference in your community? Do you care about issues impacting women and girls? We’re seeking applicants to join our Eastern Regional Commission on the Status of Women. Apply today to join the team: https://bit.ly/easternregionalCSW

Have a passion for making a difference in your community? Do you care about issues impacting women and girls? We’re seek...
10/08/2026

Have a passion for making a difference in your community? Do you care about issues impacting women and girls? We’re seeking applicants to join our Cape Cod and Islands Commission on the Status of Women! Apply today to join the team: https://bit.ly/CapeandIslandsCSW

Have a passion for making a difference in your community? Do you care about issues impacting women and girls? We’re seek...
10/07/2026

Have a passion for making a difference in your community? Do you care about issues impacting women and girls? We’re seeking applicants to join our Bristol County Commission on the Status of Women! Apply today to join the team: https://bit.ly/bristolCSW

Happy October! This month marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and in this month's featured guest piece, Commissioner Ki...
10/07/2026

Happy October! This month marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and in this month's featured guest piece, Commissioner Kim Shea not only shares her story as a breast cancer survivor, but also her personal journey from housing instability to currently serving as the Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences at Mount Wachusett Community College. "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." - Dr. Kim Shea

Read her full guest piece in the October 2026 edition of the newsletter!

This featured guest piece is an excerpt of our October 2026 newsletter. Dear MCSW Community:   Happy October! Autumn is upon…

Thanks, Madeleine! We're grateful for the hard work and dedication of Madeleine McCarthy, our Regional Operations Coordi...
10/06/2026

Thanks, Madeleine! We're grateful for the hard work and dedication of Madeleine McCarthy, our Regional Operations Coordinator here at the . For a year now, Madeleine has worked closely with our 11 regional commissions to support their efforts to advance rights and opportunities for all women and girls across the Commonwealth.

Have a passion for making a difference in your community? Do you care about issues impacting women and girls? We’re seek...
10/06/2026

Have a passion for making a difference in your community? Do you care about issues impacting women and girls? We’re seeking applicants to join our Berkshire County Commission On The Status Of Women - BCCSW! Apply today to join the team: https://bit.ly/BerkshireCSW

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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