Caucus of Women Legislators

2005 Issue #5 CWL Newsletter July 2005

Caucus Lays Out Tricks of the Trade Legislative Priorities Panel Shares Media Relations Tips embers of the Caucus of ment with a physician. Women Legislators con- S.1133 will define a self- M sidered many bills for its sufficiency standard in order to Legislative Priorities this session. provide a measure of the extent “We had a lively discus- to which the incomes of house- sion of which bills to choose holds in are suffi- based on the already winnowed- cient to support the costs of liv- down list that caucus members ing, working, raising a family, and had previously voted on. We are paying taxes in Massachusetts. dedicated to achieving some suc- The Caucus of Women cess with the bills that we will be Legislators feels that these two focusing on during this legislative bills are essential to improving session,” said Co-Chair Story. the quality of life and economic The bills which the Cau- status of women in the Common- cus will be focusing on getting wealth. Pictured above (left to right): Ann Dufresne, Ann passed into law during the 2005- The Caucus also is com- Donlan, John Henning, Janet Wu, Erica Mattison, 2006 Session are: mitted to playing an active role in and Michael Norton. S. 2073 An Act to Provide the shaping of health care policy Timely Access to Emergency Con- to ensure that women’s rights Over 70 people gathered in the steamy traception and S. 1133 An Act to and concerns are addressed. The Senate Reading Room on June 10, 2005 Establish a Self-Sufficiency Stan- ongoing discussion will include to hear a panel of experienced reporters dard in the Commonwealth. the challenges facing families share tips about how to conduct effective S.2073 will require hospi- who take care of elderly or dis- media relations. tal emergency rooms to make abled relatives in their home. emergency contraception avail- The Caucus will be work- For event coverage, able to rape survivors and will ing with several groups to advo- turn to page 8. also allow pharmacists to dis- cate for the passage of these bills pense emergency contraception into law. through a collaborative agree- Inside this issue:

Mass Budget and Policy Center Briefing on Minimum Wage - Page 2 Calendar of Events - Page 4 Congratulations! - Pages 6&7 And more! Missed the screening of Girl Trouble? Turn to page 10. Caucus Holds Minimum Wage Briefing

On Wednesday June 1, 2005, the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legisla- tors hosted a presentation on the Massachusetts minimum wage by Jeff McLynch, Deputy Director of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center (MBPC). Several members of the Caucus of Women Legislators are co- 2005 Members sponsors of the bill H.3782 An Act Indexing the Minimum Wage. Mr. McLynch examined the prevalence of poverty among women in Massachu- setts, the decline in the value of the minimum wage, and the impact that rais- Co-Chairs ing the minimum wage would have upon women: Senator Marian Walsh and • Poverty in Massachusetts: Women comprise the majority of people living in poverty in Massachusetts: 62 percent of adults living in poverty in Representative Ellen Story Massachusetts are women. Meanwhile, single mothers head over 72 Executive Director percent of families living in poverty.

Erica Mattison • Massachusetts’ Minimum Wage: The real value of the Massachusetts minimum wage has declined in recent years, as inflation has eroded its buying power, even as wage inequities continue to grow. After adjusting Members of Senate Mary Grant for inflation, the value of the Massachusetts minimum wage is now more than 20 percent below its value in 1968, when it reached its peak of Harriette Chandler Patricia Haddad $8.46 per hour in constant 2003 dollars. Cynthia Creem Lida Harkins • Increasing and Indexing the Minimum Wage: An increase in the Massa- Susan Fargo Patricia Jehlen chusetts minimum wage to $8.25 per hour would directly raise the pay of some 261,000 workers. Women make up slightly more than 60 percent Joan Menard Rachel Kaprielian of those who would benefit. More than three-quarters of the workers Kay Khan who would gain are adults aged 20 and older, while 40 percent currently work 35 hours or more per week. Meanwhile, indexing the minimum Pamela Resor Barbara L’Italien wage to inflation would ensure that it keeps pace with the cost of living.

Karen Spilka Elizabeth Malia • Prior Minimum Wage Increases: After an increase in the minimum wage Susan Tucker Shirley Owens-Hicks was adopted in 1999, the Massachusetts poverty rate dropped from 10.8 percent in 1999-2000 to 9.4 percent in 2000-2001. While the Dianne Wilkerson Marie Parente minimum wage does not solely explain this shift, the sustained decline in poverty remains noteworthy. Also, despite claims of potential job losses Members of House Anne Paulsen due to a higher minimum wage, total employment in Massachusetts Cory Atkins Alice Peisch grew following minimum wage increases in 1995, 1996, and 2000, in- cluding in areas where minimum wage workers are found in dispropor- Ruth Balser Elizabeth Poirier tionate numbers, such as the leisure and hospitality sector.

Deborah Blumer Karyn Polito Jennifer Callahan Susan Pope For more information on the Massachusetts minimum wage, visit the MBPC Christine Canavan Kathi-Anne Reinstein website at http://www.massbudget.org. Gale Candaras Cheryl Rivera Geraldine Creedon Mary Rogeness Linda Dorcena Forry Joyce Spiliotis The Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators is a bi-partisan, bi- Jennifer Flanagan Harriett Stanley cameral group of female legislators whose mission is to work to enhance Gloria Fox Marie St. Fleur the status of women throughout the Commonwealth. In 2005, with 50 leg- islators, women comprise 25% of the 200-person MA Legislature. This Colleen Garry Kathleen Teahan monthly publication produced by the Caucus of Women Legislators aims to Susan Gifford Patricia Walrath inform elected state officials and the public of the activities of the Caucus. Anne Gobi Marty Walz Shirley Gomes Alice Wolf Page 2 Caucus of Women Legislators Members of GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Under- graduate Programs), a federal program designed to prepare middle and high school students for college, met with legislators at the State House on June 15. Several members of CWL were pre- sent and offered their support to GEAR UP. Pictured (left to right): Representative Alice Wolf (D-Cambridge), Valedictorian from East High School Maria Loza, Coordinator from West Roxbury High School Nadira Hairston, third in class from High School Sara Eldib, and junior from West Roxbury High School Eleni Saridis. Representative Patricia Haddad (D-Somerset) congratulated the crowd.

Representative Fox and Represen- tative Wolf, lead sponsor of An Act Establishing a GEAR UP Fund for College Education (H.1232).

Representative Gloria Fox (D-Boston) poses with GEAR UP participants.

Would you like to contribute to the next issue of the CWL Newsletter?

Photo and writing submissions are welcome. The deadline is July 15. For more information, please contact:

Erica Mattison, Executive Director Phone: 617-722-2266 E-mail: [email protected] Address: Room 460, State House

2005, Issue 5 Page 3 Monday July 11 Mentoring Program Luncheon with Special Guest Time: Noon-1pm Location: Room 460 Members of the Mentoring Program are invited to attend this casual luncheon where they will have the chance to meet Carol Hardy-Fanta (Director of the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy at UMass Boston’s John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies) and hear about CREW – the Coalition to Recruit and Elect Women. Open to members of the Aide Mentoring Program.

Also Monday July 11 International Group of Women to Visit the State House Time: 3-4pm Location: House Members’ Lounge, State House The Caucus of Women Legislators is pleased to welcome to the State House 18 women from around the world. These visitors are traveling in the United States under the auspices of the International Visitor Leadership Program of the United States De- partment of State. Immigration officers, professors, advisors, reporters, program directors, and members of Parliament are among the visitors. Open to legislators, State House staff and interns, and members of the public.

Thursday July 21 Executive Director of the Caucus of Women Legislators Speaks to State House Interns Time: 2pm Location: A-1 Come learn about the Caucus of Women Legislators! Open to State House staff and interns.

And in August… Friday August 26 2005 Financial Literacy Brown Bag Lunch Series: Women and Money Time: 12-1pm Location: House Members’ Lounge, State House Dee Lee, Certified Financial Planner & author of several books will talk about why women have to pay particular attention to finances. To learn more about our guest speaker, you may visit her website at: http://www.deelee.net/. Space is limited! For more information and to RSVP, please call Nina at 617.367.6900 or e-mail her at [email protected].

Presented by State Treasurer Tim Cahill & The Mentoring Program Committee of The Caucus of Women Legislators Open to State House staff, interns, and members of the public.

Disclaimer: Only events specifically labeled as sponsored by The Caucus of Women Legislators have the endorsement of the organization. This calendar is a compilation of some CWL-sponsored events as well as other non-sponsored related topic events.

Page 4 Caucus of Women Legislators Recent Events

Representative Linda Former Gov. Paul Cellucci presents Dorcena Forry (D- Jane Doe Inc. Executive Director Mary Boston) speaks to Lauby with a check for $75,000. attendees at a MA Cellucci challenged the community to Women’s Policical match the donation. 6/2/05 Caucus (MWPC) Young Professionals Jane Doe, Inc., The Massachusetts Event at Vox Populi. Coalition Against Sexual Assault and 5/24/05 Domestic Violence brings together organizations and people committed to ending domestic violence and sexual assault. To learn more about Representative Gale D. Candaras (D- the organization, visit Wilbraham) met with Deputy Director Gen- www.janedoe.org. eral Huanxin Li of The Legislation Commis- sion of the Guangdong People’s Congress Congratulations Jane Doe, Inc! CWL of China on June 13 to discuss Massachu- setts civics. applauds former Governor Cellucci for his support of Jane Doe’s work.

Several legislators attended the cere- mony Honoring Champions of Toxics Use Reduction in Massachusetts, hosted by the Toxics Use Reduction Insti- tute at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. 6/16/05

Below, Senator Susan Tucker (D-Andover) Pictured below (from left to right): Representative Mary Rogeness (R-Longmeadow) poses with presents a citation to Frank Marino, Sen- Sue Viens (Cosmetology Consultant), James Laverty (Director of Occupational Education for the ior Environmental, Health and Safety Man- Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative), and Senator Michael Knapik (R-Westfield). ager for Raytheon. 6/16/05 6/16/05

2005, Issue 5 Page 5 Representative Ruth Balser (D- Representative Jennifer Flanagan (D- Newton) recently received the Out- Leominster) was re- standing Legislaor Award from Greater cently honored for her Boston Arc (GBArc), a non-profit organi- involvement with the zation that supports adults and chil- Junior Achievement dren with developmental disabilities program in the Leomin- and their families. Representative ster School System. Balser was also named MCAAP 2005 She has received the Junior Achievement All Child Advocate of the Year by the Mas- Star Award two years in sachusetts Chapter of the American a row, for her dedicated service and commit- Academy of Pediatrics for her dedica- ment! Junior Achievement of Central Massa- tion and commitment to the well-being chusetts uses hands-on experiences and a of Massachusetts children with mental planned curriculum to help young people un- health issues. derstand the economics of life.

Representative Patricia Representative Marie St. Fleur (D- Haddad (D-Somerset) re- Boston) received a medal from Cam- ceived an Outstanding Legis- bridge College for outstanding ser- lative Achievement award vice to the community (6/5/05). She from Massachusetts Associa- also was named “Legislator of the tion of Day Care Agencies Year” by the Women's Bar Associa- (MADCA) on June 10, 2005 tion of Massachusetts which reads: In Appreciation (3/22/05). Also this spring, St. Fleur For Your Support of Children received the Boston Bar Associa- and Families. tion's Distinguished Legislator Award (5/24/05).

Representative Susan Pope (R-Wayland) received the award for “Legislator of the Year” from the Massachusetts Legislators Association at a dinner and awards ceremony held on Thursday, May 12. Also being honored was White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card. Senate President Travaglini, House Speaker DiMasi, and former Senate Clerks Patrick Scanlon, Norman Pidgeon and Edward O’Neil (posthumously), were also recognized. Pictured at left: Rep- resentative Pope with Andrew Card.

Page 6 Caucus of Women Legislators Representative Kathy Teahan (D-Whitman) received South Shore Recycling Cooperative's (SSRC) " Environ- mental Hero Award” on Earth Day, Friday, April 22, 2005. The SSRC includes fifteen South Shore communities, including Whitman, Representative Teahan's hometown.

Senator Pam Resor (D-Acton) for being named “Legislator of the Year” by Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts on Representative Marty Walz (D-Boston) June 1, 2005. The awards are given annually served as the commencement speaker to recognize two legislators for outstanding for the 101st Graduation Exercises for leadership on behalf of reproductive freedom Fisher College on Saturday, May 14 at and women's health. State Representative Old South Church. She focused on the Doug Petersen was also honored. Pictured at meaning of moral values and encouraged left: Senator Resor. the graduates to be active citizens in their communities.

Senator Marian Walsh (D- Boston) was the recipient of the Massachusetts School of Profes- sional Psychology (MSPP) Com- munity Service and Training Award from the school as it com- memorated its 30th year of ser- vice with a gala celebration held on Friday, June 3.

Senator Dianne Wilkerson (D-Boston) received the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corpora- tion's Building Our Community Award, "In recogni- tion of your tireless advocacy for civil rights, social justice, and economic opportunity for low-income families," on May 12, 2005. Pictured at left: Rich- ard Thal, Executive Director of JPNDC, Senator Wilkerson, and Board President, Girma Belay.

2005, Issue 5 Page 7 Navigating Media Relations

(Continued from page 1)

Serving on the panel were John Henning, former senior correspondent for WBZ Channel 4 and current Sen- ior Advisor for Denterlein Worldwide; Janet Wu, News Cen- ter 5 State House reporter for WCVB-TV since January 1983; Michael Norton, State House News Service Editor; chaired by Senator , put together a panel of and Ann Donlan, former Communications Director to Attor- experts in the field of media. ney General Tom Reilly and current State House Bureau "While so many of us here at the State House talk Chief for the Boston Herald. Serving as moderator was Ann to reporters on a daily basis, it is not often we have a Dufresne, who spent twenty years working in the Boston chance to hear candid and diversified opinions on what broadcast market as a general assignment television news works best for newspapers versus TV and radio,” com- reporter before her current position as Senate President mented Matuya Brand, Communications Director to Sena- Travaglini’s Communications Director. tor Dianne Wilkerson. In January of this year, Suffolk University, along “The relationship between State House staffers with Senate President Robert Travaglini and Speaker Sal and the press is two-way,” said event attendee Emily Gouil- DiMasi, offered a training session for State House aides. lart, Legislative Aide to Representative David Linsky. One portion of this training included “A Brief Introduction to “While we sometimes feel at the mercy of reporters who Working with the Press”. Many State House aides wanted have the power to make or break our bosses, I realized that additional information about how to interact with members [members of the press] also depend on us to cooperate of the press. and help them get a good story. I am relieved to have At the request of many of the aides involved in the learned that reporters want to get along with us as much as Aide Mentoring Program, the Caucus of Women Legislators we want to get along with them.” set up an event where aides could gain more insight into Thank you to Senate President Travaglini for provid- how the press works and how they can best assist in the ing for the use of the Senate Reading Room and Ann Du- relationship between their boss and the press. With the fresne and Jill Vandenbosch for their work putting together help of Ann Dufresne, the Mentoring Program Committee, the panel.

Ann Donlan Janet Wu Michael Norton Office Phone: (617) 619-6418 Office Phone: (781) 433-4598 Office Phone: (617) 722-2439 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]

To improve your media relations skills, turn to the next page for tips from the pros.

Page 8 Caucus of Women Legislators DO:

• Get to know reporters. Start by going to introduce yourself in person or giving them a call. They will be more likely to come to you and to respond to you if they know who you are. • As for press releases: •Include name and contact information when sending a press release, and make sure that person will be available to the press. •Be clear, brief and accurate. Between half a page and a page is the best length. •Press releases should start off by stating why the story is worth covering and then de- scribe the who, what, where, and when. •Include a photo or video clip whenever possible. • When planning a press conference, 10am-11am is the best time of day. Speakers should be selected carefully and the program should be kept short. • While experts may know their stuff, they might not always be the best to provide quotes. Pro- vide reporters with speakers who are comfortable speaking to the public. • When you/your boss do not have a comment or information to provide to a reporter, try to refer the reporter to someone else who may be helpful. • Return calls from reporters, even if it is to say that you/your boss do not currently have a statement or any information. Find creative and polite ways of saying “no comment.” • Be specific about how you want the information you give to be used and how you wish to be identified so as to avoid miscommunication with a reporter.

DON’T:

• Expect future coverage if you do not return calls from reporters.

• Just rely on e-mail if a story is urgent. Call as well.

• Give false information. If you “do not know,” say so!

2005, Issue 5 Page 9 “Woman to Woman” CWL Executive Director Speaks to Women’s Union Mentoring Program Participants

Front Row Left to Right (seated): Betty Jo Farris, Hope Koram, Director of Woman to Woman Program, Marie Simeon, and Carla Elder. Back Row Left to Right (standing): Lindsay Snyder, Advocacy Project Associate, Rachel Greene, Program Associate, Carly Edmunds, Program Coordinator, Patricia DiVaio, Valada Young, Geraldine Williams, Maryse George, Marilyn Nucci, Gwen- dolyn Stinson, Valerie Wynn, Barbara Cook, Joanna Holloway, Kathleen Gould, Pamela Bush, Erica Mattison, Executive Direc- tor, Caucus of Women Legislators. GIRL TROUBLE FILM SCREENING AND PANEL DISCUSSION

Girl Trouble, a film produced and directed by Lexi Leban and Lidia Szajko, provides a glance into the world of young women who grew up in households lacking stability and a sense of safety. The three young women at the center of this film are shown dealing with California’s justice system over the course of four years. The girls all work at the Center for Young Women’s Development, a street survival program run by and for young women in San Fransisco. On June 27, 2005, Representative Kay Khan and the Cau- cus of Women Legislators in conjunction with Citizens for Juvenile Justice sponsored a screening of the film with a panel discussion following. The panel focused on the growing numbers of young women involved in juvenile crime, particularly in Massachusetts. All panelists agreed there is a pressing need for additional programs and increased funding for services for young women offenders. Jane Tewksbury, the first female Commissioner of the De- partment of Youth Services, appointed by Governor Romney in April Back row: (left to right) Francine Sherman, Laura Prescott, Tina King- Kyei, DYS Commissioner Jane Tewksbury, Charlene Bonner, Gale (Continued on page 11) Munson (Citizens for Juvenile Justice), and Representative Kay Khan. Front row: (left to right) Erica Mattison and Maureen Norton-Hawk. Page 10 Caucus of Women Legislators In memory

Katie Nielson On Wednesday Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, I currently at- June 15, 2005, the tend Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. I Senate adjourned am studying Government and Legal Studies, in memory of for- with a minor in Gender and Women’s Studies. My interest in politics and proximity to Boston mer Senate Assis- led me to an internship at the State House. I tant Majority am interested by both government and issues Leader Mary L. specifically affecting women. This summer I am enjoying learning more about Massachusetts Fonseca. government and how to effectively work with a bi-partisan caucus as I look to pursue a career in the political sphere.

Congratulations to the Program for Women in Politics and Public Policy at the University of Massachusetts Boston for receiving the AAUW (American Asso- ciation of University Women) Progress in Equity AWARD at the Speaking out for Justice Awards Dinner of June 26, 2005 in Washington, D.C.

Experts discuss film Girl Trouble

(Continued from page 10) $2 million that DYS will spend this year on ment currently available for young women programs for young women offenders. Some offenders is insufficient. 2005, opened the panel discussion following of this funding will enable DYS to hire more Court mandates and insurance the documentary. Other participating panel- experienced individuals. restrictions limit the care these adolescents ists were Charlene Bonner, a court psycholo- Additionally, Tewksbury noted, pro- are able to receive. Dr. Bonner stated that it gist for Adolescent Consultation Services grams within the department need to hire takes more than a week to undo the damage which serves Middlesex County Juvenile teachers with Masters in Education and not that has occurred in these girls’ lives and Courts; Tina King-Kyei, founder of New Be- just B.A. degrees. The high turnover rate four days in a residential setting is not long ginnings Awareness & Outreach Services; among teachers creates an even more un- enough to make significant progress. For Maureen Norton-Hawk, Associate Professor stable environment for young women who instance, Shangra, whose story is told in Girl of criminal justice and sociology at Suffolk need people on whom they can depend. Trouble, was sentenced to a residential pro- University where she serves as the Co- Poor minorities from unstable homes are gram and it was not until she had lived there Director of the Center for Crime and Justice particularly vulnerable to the kind of negative for 19 months that she developed the self- Policy Research; Laura Prescott, Director of cycle explained in Girl Trouble, and a stable esteem necessary to understand how she Female Services for the Department of Youth environment is necessary for them to thrive. could turn her life around, get an education, Services; Francine Sherman, a Clinical Pro- and stop selling drugs. Sheila, who is also fessor at Boston College Law School and Experts shared statistics regarding the high level of drug and alcohol abuse, followed in the film, notes that she did not founding member of the Girls’ Justice Initia- become the way she is overnight, and that it tive. abusive home lives, and instability that char- acterize the childhoods of most women who will take years for her to overcome the im- Noting the hard work of those DYS become incarcerated. The film and panelists pact of the verbal and physical abuse she workers currently struggling to provide juve- noted that there is a negative cycle that endured. niles with adequate care, Commissioner marks these young women’s lives whereby Sponsors of the event hope that Tewksbury said, “[W]e must professionalize they have an unstable and unhealthy home this event serves as a catalyst for further the Department of Youth Services. If we life. These girls are forced to choose be- conversations and action. For more informa- want good outcomes, we need good input.” tween poor options. Many of them run away tion about the event, please contact Repre- Certified clinicians to work with the youth are and become involved with drugs, shoplifting, sentative Khan’s office at 617-722-2140 or essential and require adequate compensa- and prostitution in order to survive. These visit Citizens for Juvenile Justice on the inter- tion, she said, acknowledging the additional behaviors often result in arrest, but the treat- net: http://www.cfjj.org/.

2005, Issue 5 Page 11