Events & Announcements: MA Commission on Women

The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) was enacted by law and established in 1998 to advance Massachusetts’ women toward full equality and to promote rights and opportunities for all women. The Commission is an independent state agency that provides a permanent voice for women across Massachusetts.

The Commission is comprised of 19 appointed women who have had prior experience working towards the improvement of the status of women. Commissioners are drawn from diverse racial, ethnic, religious, age, sexual orientation, and socio-economic backgrounds from throughout the Commonwealth. Appointments are made by the Governor (5), the Senate President (4), the Speaker of the House of Representatives (4), and the Caucus of Women Legislators (6).

The Commission’s duties include: studying, reviewing and reporting on the status of women in the Commonwealth; advising executive and legislative bodies on the effect of proposed legislation on women; informing leaders of business, education, health care, state and local governments and communications media of issues pertaining to women; providing referrals and serving as a resource of information on issues pertaining to women; identifying and recommending qualified women for positions at all levels of government; promoting and facilitating collaboration among local women’s commissions and among women’s organizations in the state; serving as a liaison between government and private interest groups concerned with issues affecting women; and serving as a clearinghouse of information on issues pertaining to women.

To be considered for appointment by any of the appointing authorities, please submit a completed application form annually between August 15 and September 30.

Appointments are typically made in November. Mail the form to: Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, Charles F. Hurley Building, 19 Staniford Street, 6th floor, Boston, MA, 02114. A copy of your application will be kept on file and will be forwarded to the appropriate appointing authority(s) when appointments become available. Please remember that information you provide is public and cannot be kept private or confidential.

If you are appointed, your term of office will be no more than three years, depending upon the vacant seat you fill. You will be eligible for reappointment to a full three-year term at the end of your initial term. Commissioners will be considered “special state employees” and will be subject to Chapter 268A, the state conflict of interest law. You will not be compensated for your work, but you are eligible for reimbursement for usual and customary expenses, such as travel.

For more information or to request an application, contact:

The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women
The Charles F. Hurley Building
19 Staniford St., 6th Floor
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-626-6520
Fax: 617-626-6530
E-Mail: mcsw@state.ma.us
Web: www.mass.gov/women