开元棋牌

Mount Wachusett Community College hosted a meet and greet with the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) on its Leominster Campus Tuesday December 19, 2023. Kimberly Shea, Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences at 开元棋牌 and current MCSW Commissioner proposed the central Massachusetts event.

The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women was legislatively created in 1998 as an independent state agency seeking to advance equality for women across the states, and to promote their rights and opportunities. The commission works to advance women and girls towards equality in all areas of their lives by being an effective voice for whom they serve; offering recommendations regarding policy that would improve access to opportunities and equality. 鈥淲e are the bridge between the issues our women聽face and the decision聽makers who聽have the ability to聽change, alter, or prioritize policy changes to make our聽lives easier鈥� says Commissioner Shea.

Some of the issues the MCSW is working to reconcile in the North Central area include food and housing insecurity, the lack of public or accessible transportation in rural areas, access to healthcare services, including maternal and mental health services, and access to affordable, safe, and reliable childcare. All of these issues affect our communities, but the burden of impact disproportionally effects women.

鈥淚n both my聽lived and professional experience, education can be the life-changing variable that helps to聽increase a woman鈥檚 social and financial capital聽and can help聽alleviate聽the impact of聽many of the聽aforementioned聽struggles. These聽struggles,聽however,聽are聽also the reason that education聽takes a back burner for many women in the Commonwealth, which is the reason that I am so happy that Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women and Mount Wachusett Community College are joining forces鈥�, says Commissioner Shea.

The MCSW hosts public hearings offering the opportunity for women in communities across the Commonwealth to be heard and share their lived experiences. 鈥淎ny subject surrounding issues women face or obstacles that hinder the ability for all women to experience equality are welcome topics鈥�, says Commissioner Shea.

If you would like to learn more about the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women visit their website聽. Additionally, you can attend their upcoming public hearings聽January 15, 2024聽– Housing Hearing聽(virtual),聽March 28, 2024聽– Gardener Hearing聽(hybrid), April 20, 2024聽– Girls Empowerment Leadership Initiative (GELI).