Caucus of Women Legislators Issue #9 CWL Newsletter November 2005 Senate Gains Caucus Co-Sponsors Domestic Female Legislator Violence Awareness Week Caucus Senate Chair Marian Walsh welcomes newly sworn- in Senator Patricia Jehlen (D-Somerville) to the Senate. Jehlen, formerly a State Representative, won a special elec- Deana’s Fund Resource Fair Participants: Lisa Maccario, Volunteer; Detective Lieutenant James Pierce, Board President; and Sher Quaday, Executive Direc- tion to represent the Second Middlesex District. The num- tor with Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey and Erica Mattison, Caucus Execu- ber of women in the Senate, which briefly dipped to ten, is tive Director. 10/18 now back up to eleven. 10/12 With October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, in order to provide information to citizens of the Commonwealth, the Caucus of Women Legislators sponsored a Domestic Violence Awareness Week at the Also in this issue: State House during the week of October 17. Additional sponsors of the week included: Senate President Congratulations! Page 2 Robert Travaglini, Speaker of the House Salvatore DiMasi, Governor Mitt Romney, Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey, the Governor’s Commission on Mark your calendar Page 4 Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, Senator Pam Resor and Senator Ed Augustus. US Senator Speaks at Harvard Page 5 PRESS CONFERENCE AND PRESENTATION The History Page Page 7 To kick off the week of events, on Monday October 17 event spon- sors held a press conference and performance. Speakers included Senate Human Trafficking Page 8 President Robert E. Travaglini; Senator Edward M. Augustus; Representa- tive Ellen Story, Co-Chair of the Caucus of Women Legislators; Toni Troop, (Continued on page 6) Now you can visit the Caucus of Women Legislators on the web: www.masswomen.org. CONGRATULATIONS! 2005 Members Co-Chairs Senator Marian Walsh and Representative Ellen Story Executive Director Erica Mattison Members of Senate Shirley Gomes Harriette Chandler Mary Grant Representative Alice Wolf (center) with Shelley Gross of Medford Cynthia Creem Patricia Haddad CPC (left) and Shelli Wortis of Cambridge CPC (right) after accepting Susan Fargo Lida Harkins the Legislative Achievement Award from the Massachusetts Associa- tion of Community Partnerships for Children. 10/17 Patricia Jehlen Rachel Kaprielian Joan Menard Kay Khan Therese Murray Barbara L’Italien At the Women’s Leadership Breakfast on October 12, Pamela Resor Elizabeth Malia 2005 Representative Marty Walz was honored for serv- ing as a role model and an inspiration to women and Karen Spilka Shirley Owens-Hicks girls. The event was sponsored by Today’s Susan Tucker Marie Parente Girls…Tomorrow’s Leaders, a United Way program that helps girls grow up healthy and well-prepared to be- Dianne Wilkerson Anne Paulsen come successful adults. In honor of the program’s Members of House Alice Peisch tenth anniversary, ABC Congressional correspondent Cokie Roberts served as featured speaker. Cory Atkins Elizabeth Poirier Ruth Balser Karyn Polito Deborah Blumer Susan Pope Caucus members, let us know about your awards! Jennifer Callahan Kathi-Anne Reinstein Christine Canavan Cheryl Rivera Gale Candaras Mary Rogeness The Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators is a bi-partisan, bi- cameral group of female legislators, the mission of which is to enhance the Geraldine Creedon Joyce Spiliotis economic status and equality of women and to encourage and foster Linda Dorcena Forry Harriett Stanley women in all levels of government. In 2005, with 50 legislators, women Jennifer Flanagan Marie St. Fleur comprise 25% of the 200-person MA Legislature. This monthly publication produced by the Caucus of Women Legislators aims to inform elected state Gloria Fox Kathleen Teahan officials and the public of the activities of the Caucus. To learn more about Colleen Garry Patricia Walrath the Caucus, please visit our website at www.masswomen.org. Susan Gifford Marty Walz Anne Gobi Alice Wolf Page 2 Caucus of Women Legislators General Court Celebrates 375th Anniversary Present and Former Caucus Members Re-Unite Left to right: Representative Linda Dorcena Forry, Representative Marie St. Fleur and former Representative Charlotte Golar Richie Beverly Representatives—Past and Present (1995-1999), who is now Chief of Housing for the City of Bos- (From left to right): Representative Mary Grant ton. Before becoming a Representative herself, Dorcena and former Representative Frances Alexander Forry worked in Golar Richie’s legislative office. (1983-1991). Former Speaker of the House Charles Flaherty At left: Golar Richie (left) (1990-1996) with for- with former State Repre- mer Representative sentative Donna Cuomo Mary Jeanette Murray (right). (1977-2001). Would you like to contribute to the next issue of the CWL Newsletter? Photo and writing submissions are welcome. The deadline is Friday, November 18. For more information, please contact: Erica Mattison, Executive Director Phone: 617-722-2266 E-mail: [email protected] Address: Room 460, State House Boston, MA 02133 2005, Issue 9 Page 3 UPCOMING EVENTS Overview of the Commonwealth’s Affirmative Market Program Date and time: Thursday November 3, 11:30am-12:30pm Location: Room 437, State House The Caucus of Women Legislators invites you to meet AMP Executive Director Monsi Quinones and members of the AMP Business Advisory Board. Established by Executive Order 390, the AMP works with Executive Branch departments and certified vendors. The AMP’s mission is to assist minority- and woman-owed businesses (MBEs-WBEs) gain access to contracting opportu- nities with participating state entities. Quinones will provide an overview of AMP and its services. Open to legislators, aides, and members of the public. Light refreshments will be provided. Free. 2005 Financial Literacy Brown Bag Lunch Series Date and time: Friday November 4, 12pm-1pm Location: House Members’ Lounge, Third Floor, State House Retirement Income: A Reality Check with Bob Andreola, JD & CFP, ING Retirement Adviser. Start planning NOW! Learn the reality and maximize your dreams. Just bring your lunch and a desire to take control of your financial future - we will supply the cookies! Brought to you by State Treasurer Tim Cahill & The Caucus of Women Legislators' Mentoring Program Committee. Please register by writing to [email protected] or calling 617.367.6900. Open to legislators, aides, and members of the public. Free. GIS Day Date and time: Wednesday November 16, 10am-2pm Location: Great Hall, State House What is GIS? Come learn - at GIS Day! Circulate among more than 20 exhibits to learn about interesting, current GIS mapping projects. A speaking program at noon will showcase the high level of cross-agency cooperation coordinated by MassGIS and the latest developments at MassGIS, the Office of Geographic and Environmental Information. Just a few of the areas you can learn about at GIS Day: *Emergency Management Plans *Crime Statistics for Statewide Analysis *Legislative District Maps *Statewide Surveillance of Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus *Comprehensive Snow Removal Plan *Mapping Resources Available to The Legislature Open to legislators, aides, and members of the public. Free. To learn more, visit http://www.mass.gov/mgis/gisday2005.htm Disclaimer: Only events specifically labeled as sponsored by The Caucus of Women Legislators have the endorsement of the organization. This calendar is a compi- lation of some CWL-sponsored events as well as other non-sponsored, related topic events. Page 4 Caucus of Women Legislators US Senator Stabenow Speaks at Harvard Several members of the Caucus of Women Legislators attended the forum. Pictured at left (from left to right): Victoria Budson, Execu- tive Director of the Women and Public Policy Program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government; Representative Kay Khan (D-Newton), Representative Anne Paulsen (D-Belmont), U.S. Senator Debbie Sta- benow (D-Michigan), Representative Alice Peisch (D-Wellesley), and Representative Bar- bara L’Italien (D-Andover). fice, Debbie Stabenow is a real inspira- that our voices are heard.” T he Women and Public Policy Pro- tion and role model.” When asked by a member of the gram (WAPPP) and the Institute of Poli- Stabenow credits her parents audience why it is necessary to have tics at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Gov- with encouraging her to “dream big programs such as the Women and Public ernment hosted a forum on October 28 dreams” during a time when women Policy Program, the Senator responded, featuring guest speaker U.S. Senator were often advised to work as teachers “It’s called the U.S. Senate!...It didn’t just Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan). or nurses. Stabenow believes it is liber- happen that there are now more women After serving in the State Legis- ating that women now have a broad in government than before. It was a con- lature in Michigan, Stabenow made his- array of career opportunities from which scious strategy.” It was women’s organi- tory in 2000 when she became the first to choose. zations, programs, and caucuses that woman from the State of Michigan enabled women to win more seats at the elected to the United States Senate. “To change the face of power, political table, said Stabenow. Stabenow talked about her con- we need to have women in all “What does it take for women to cern for keeping jobs in the US, and levels of government.” win seats in Congress and be effective health care access and affordability. while in office?” asked one attendee. She also remembered the late Rosa Senator Stabenow advised that Parks for her central role in the civil The forum, entitled “Changing “believing in yourself and being willing to rights movement. “She changed the the Face of Power in America,” ad- put yourself out there” are two of the world because of her willingness to dressed the role that women play in gov- most important characteristics. stand up for her own dignity,” said Stabe- ernment. “To change the face of power, In order to run for office, said now.