(BOSTON) – This month, the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators (MCWL) celebrates its 50th anniversary, making it the oldest bicameral and bipartisan Women’s Caucus in the country. The MCWL was originally formed in 1975 by fourteen women legislators from the House of Representatives. They gathered around a shared goal of passing the Equal Rights Amendment and supporting fellow women leaders. Today, women make up one third of the legislators in the Massachusetts House and Senate, and the MCWL boasts sixty members.
Last week, the Caucus held a press conference to kick off its 50th anniversary celebration. Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland), and Caucus co-chairs Representative Christine Barber (D-Somerville) and Senator Robyn Kennedy (D-Worcester) made remarks highlighting the important work accomplished by the Caucus over the past fifty years. Throughout the year, the caucus will engage in a variety of initiatives aimed at recognizing the contributions of women lawmakers, past and present, who shaped policies and advanced social change across the Commonwealth.
“Today is about both celebrating the accomplishments of the women leaders who have come before us and recognizing the work that will take place over the next fifty years,” said Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “I am proud to be the 195th woman elected to the House of Representatives, and I am excited to work with my colleagues in the Caucus to support and uplift women across the Commonwealth.”
The Caucus focuses its efforts on three strategic priorities: elevating women’s economic opportunity and eliminating barriers, addressing racial and gender disparities in healthcare, and empowering women in government. The Women’s Caucus is supporting Representative Meschino’s bill to raise awareness about menopause and the related personal, professional, and medical challenges women face at midlife.
For more information about the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators, please visit their website. You can find a full list of Representative Meschino’s filed legislation here.
State Representative Joan Meschino represents the communities of Hingham, Hull, and Cohasset. Rep. Meschino and her Chief of Staff can be reached at the State House at 617-722-2092 or by email at Joan.Meschino@MAHouse.gov. To learn more about Rep. Meschino’s constituent services and legislative work, please visit www.JoanMeschino.com.
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