Caucus of Women Legislators

2005 Issue #4 CWL Newsletter June 2005 BRINGING WOMEN TO THE TABLE Caucus Brings Together Leading Ladies

It is not often that a female judge, legislator, CEO, have held a dinner twice a year called “Bringing Women to commissioner, and policy advisor have dinner together and the Table” for Massachusetts’ leading women. Special effort talk about issues that matter to them while learning about is made to include women from a diversity of fields, loca- one another’s work. But on May 11, 2005 over 60 influen- tions, and political backgrounds. tial women from around Massachusetts gathered and dis- “The women who attend ‘Bringing Women to the cussed a variety of topics. Table’ are women who can hire someone without having to Since the spring of 2004, the Caucus of Women ask permission,” said Representative Harriett Stanley, foun- Legislators and the MA Commission on the Status of Women der of the event. Representing a range of professional fields, such as politics, law, business, higher education, and health care, these women share some commonalities: a hard work ethic, an accomplished resume, and an impressive rolodex. One attendee said, “I am very impressed with the variety of women involved.” “We did draw a bi-partisan crowd, and we were pleased to have representatives from the Romney admini- stration attend, but we hope to have Republican members of

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Inside this issue: Topic Page F r o m L e f t t o R i g h t : Representative Harriett Human Trafficking Forum 2 Stanley, CWL Executive Direc- tor Erica Mattison, Former Oral Health Caucus 3 State Representative Carol Donovan, Representative Lida Calendar of Events 4 Harkins, Representative Kathy Teahan, Representative Ellen May Photos 5 Story, Representative Kathi- Anne Reinstein, and Represen- Bringing Women to the Table 6&7 tative . On Wednesday May 4, 2005 raise awareness among the elected officials, advocates and public,” he said. State House staffers gathered to Senator Montigny 2005 Members identify and discuss the stressed the human trafficking importance of problem and possible Co-Chairs identifying the gaps in solutions in our current statutes Senator Marian Walsh and Massachusetts. so solutions can be Representative The forum, offered. “We need to hosted by Senator make law Executive Director , enforcement aware. Erica Mattison featured remarks by We need to make Carol Gomez of sure the tools for Trafficking Victim them are there. And Members of Senate Mary Grant Outreach and Services, we need to demand Harriette Chandler Micheline, a former justice with statutes… Cynthia Creem Lida Harkins victim of trafficking and We need to turn over forced unpaid labor, and a panel some very ugly rocks to find out Susan Fargo Patricia Jehlen discussion with Laura Lederer of what is going on in Massachusetts Joan Menard Rachel Kaprielian the US State Department, Mark and the rest of the country. Very Zuckerman ofPictured the US(left Department to right): Senator Markfew Montigny, states areMicheline, actually doing what Kay Khan of Justice, andand Carol Gomez of Trafficking Victim Outreach and Servicesneeds to be Pamela Resor Barbara L’Italien District Attorney done.” Elizabeth Malia Martha Coakley. The Attendees also issue of Susan Tucker Shirley Owens-Hicks viewed a short trafficking is Dianne Wilkerson Marie Parente documentary largely one and possible pertaining to Members of House Anne Paulsen solutions were immigrants, dicussed. said Gomes. “More discussion Deborah Blumer Trafficking usually means needs to happen.” Jennifer Callahan Susan Pope forcing women and children into Lederer described slavery, bondage, or prostitution, Christine Canavan Kathi-Anne Reinstein explained Senator Montigny. “We Gale Candaras Cheryl Rivera need to discuss the problem and Continued on next page Geraldine Creedon Mary Rogeness 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 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. Marty Walz Shirley Gomes Alice Wolf Page 2 Caucus of Women Legislators Oral Health Caucus Holds Inaugural Meeting Legislative Oral The Massachusetts Legislative Oral Health Caucus held its first meeting at the Health Caucus State House in on Tuesday May 10, 2005. The first in the nation, the meets for the group’s purpose is to educate members of the General Court on the importance of first time. Pic- oral health and its connection to overall health. Members in attendance agreed that tured at right the caucus will develop legislative, budgetary and regulatory strategies to improve are Co-Chairs oral health policy in the Commonwealth. Senator Har- riette Chandler Oral health cannot be disassociated from overall health, and preventive care is cru- and Represen- cial. Poor oral health can cause more complex and costly health issues such as pre- tative Kathleen term low birth weight babies, heart disease, stroke, and complications for people Teahan. 5/10 with diabetes. Any Legislator interested in joining the Oral Health Caucus should contact Senator Chandler x1544 or Representative Teahan x2130.

State Treasurer Tim Cahill & Trafficking Forum Continued from previous page The Mentoring Program Committee of a situation in which a 13-year old Mexi- can girl who was trafficked into the The Caucus of Women Legislators United States was forced to work as a Present the prostitute. She was finally rescued when a neighbor called the police. There have been problems with women in these 2005 Financial Literacy Brown Bag Lunch Series situations being treated like criminals. “There weren’t services available to [give them the treatment they so desperately Friday Au mber 4 needed]”. Since then, legislation was gus Friday Nove passed in 2000 which broadened the Wo t 26 men an ent Income: definition of trafficking. D d Mon Retirem ee Lee ey Micheline told the story of how , CFA & ty Check Why d autho A Reali she was trafficked into the United States o wome r pa n have t dreola, at the age of 14 and was sent to the rticular o pay Bob An attention house of a family where she was forced to financ ent Advisor es? ING Retirem to do all the housework and take care of Come learn w the children. At the age of 18 she ran know hy you the fun need to of golden m damenta Retirement has its share away and to this day, the couple who anageme ls of mon r nt. Mon ey also has its share of reigned over her for four years has not oot of a ey is not years, but it ll evils, la the may not been prosecuted. Come ck of mo allenges. The transition learn ho ney is. ch root ca w to get all you’ve dreamed “There are indications that uses and to the be easy and be on th ed. So, there is much more of this [trafficking] fi e road out, if you aren’t prepar nancial fr to ab going on than we would have thought,” eedom! OW! Learn the start planning N said Coakley. She said, “we need to en- ur dreams! reality and maximize yo courage victims to come forward…and then make sure that ringleaders are prosecuted.” Please join us from 12-1 pm in the House Members’ Lounge to take Coakley likened trafficking to control of your finances and plan properly for your future. There is no domestic violence and drug rings. She time like the present to begin taking control of your financial future! noted that there are a lot of similarities.

-Erica Mattison Space is limited, so registration is required. For more information and to RSVP, please call Nina at 617.367.6900 or email her at [email protected]

2005, Issue 4 Page 3 Thursday June 9, 10am-11:30am "Bringing Women to the Table" Planning Meeting Location: Caucus Office, Room 460, State House Members of the Caucus are invited to join Caucus of Women Legislators Co-Chairs Story and Walsh for a “Bringing Women to the Table” Fall 2005 Planning Meeting. Open to CWL members only.

Friday June 10, 12pm-1pm Navigating Media Relations Location: TBA Not sure how to handle media requests? Do you know what makes for a strong press release? This is your chance to become savvy at handling media matters. The Caucus of Women Legislators Mentoring Program Com- mittee invites you to hear from panelists experienced in the fields of media and media relations. Get useful tips and answers to your questions. Hear from panelists such as Ann Dufresne (Communications Director to Senate President Travaglini and the Massachusetts State Senate), John Henning (Senior Advisor with Denterlein World- wide, formerly a Senior Correspondent with WBZ Channel 4), and Janet Wu (Reporter with WCVB-TV channel 5). Open to staff and interns.

Monday June 13, 10am-Noon Caucus-wide Meeting Location: McCormack Building (One Ashburton Place) , 21st Floor, Conference Room 2 All members of the Caucus of Women Legislators are asked to attend this meeting to discuss the Caucus legisla- tive priorities for 2005. After the meeting, all dues-paying members will be asked to e-mail their votes to Erica. Open to CWL members only.

Monday June 27, 11am-12:30pm Screening of Girl Trouble Location: Room B-2, State House Please join Representative Kay Khan and the Caucus of Women Legislators for a screening followed by a panel discussion. Girl Trouble is a film that takes a personal look at the reasons why teenage girls are entering the ju- venile justice system in greater numbers and at younger ages, and why current corrections strategies are failing to stop the cycle of incarceration. Girl Trouble depicts several bold and articulate young women who must negoti- ate a system that at the same time seeks to punish and rehabilitate those who come into contact with it. Open to legislators and staff.

Would you like to contribute to the next issue of the CWL Newsletter? Photo and writing submissions are welcome. To discuss options, please contact the Executive Director by June 15. Erica Mattison, Executive Director Phone: 617-722-2266 E-mail: [email protected] Room 460

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 Photos from the Month of May

Above, Senate Ways and Means Chairwoman Therese Murray unveiled the committee’s ver- sion of the fiscal 2006 state budget. At left, a news conference followed in the Senate Read- ing Room. 5/17

At right, Repre- sentative Had- ded Pictured with HHS Assistant Congratulations to Representa- Secretary for tive Gale Candaras on being Aging, Josefina named “Woman of the Year” by Carbonell at the the Affiliated Chambers of Com- Alzheimer's Asso- ciation 2005 merce of Greater Springfield. Public Policy Above, Senator Pam Resor Forum. 5/2 speaks at a briefing on emer- gency contraception. 5/23 Bringing Women to the Table

(Continued from page 1) the Commonwealth,” says Hardy-Fanta. 21 at the College Club on Common- “The Center for Women in Politics and wealth Avenue in Bos- the Caucus attend in the fall,” said Public Policy is pleased to serve as a ton. The event is by Representative and Caucus Co-Chair catalyst to promote collaboration invite only. In addition Ellen Story. among women to develop a coordi- to “Bringing Women to Guest speaker Carol Hardy- nated strategy to address the serious the Table” for estab- Fanta, Director of the Center for problem of stagnation and even de- lished leading women, Women in Politics and Public Policy at cline in the number of women in the Caucus plans to UMass Boston’s John W. McCormack elected office in this state. We wel- hold a networking re- Graduate School of Policy Studies, come the participation of women from ception this fall for spoke about a new initiative called diverse communities and groups to join young, up-and-coming CREW – The Coalition to Recruit and the CREW and look forward to working female professionals. Elect Women. together.” Special thanks “Massachusetts is blessed The Caucus has already gotten to Rebecca Kanin and with a wealth of women’s organizations to work planning the fourth “Bringing Amy Reynolds for help- and individual women committed to Women to the Table” for fall 2005. It ing make the evening a increasing women’s representation in will be held on Wednesday September success.

2005, Issue 4 Page 5 “BRINGING WOMEN TO THE TABLE” SPRING 2005 PHOTOS AND REFLECTIONS

Representa- tives Kathy Teahan, Kathi- Anne Reinstein, and Anne Paulsen pic- “It was a wonder- tured with for- ful opportunity to mer State Rep- resentative meet [a group of] Carol Donovan (front). successful, di- verse women.” Co-Chair Ellen Story addresses the crowd. “I made connections that are significant for my work.”

Representatives Cory Atkins and Harriett Stanley with Jackie Cooke of the US Department of Labor, Women’s Bureau.

“I was able to meet wonderful women who I Left to Right: (Back row) Representative Gloria Fox, Renee Fry of the Department of would not have Business and Technology, Kate McDonough of the National Association of Women Business Owners, Isis Bailey. (Front row) Donna Mullen Good of the Center for met otherwise.” Women & Enterprise, MCSW Commissioner Mary Reardon Johnson, Nancy Connolly of Lasertone Corporation, and Representative Mary Grant.

Page 6 Caucus of Women Legislators “BRINGING WOMEN TO THE TABLE” SPRING 2005 PHOTOS AND REFLECTIONS

Pictured at right (from left to right): Representative Marty Walz, Helen Corbett of Corbett and Lally, Middle- sex County District Attorney Martha Coakley, and Guest Speaker Carol Hardy-Fanta of the Center for Pictured above (from left to right): Jesse Mermell Women in Politics of the MA Women’s Political Caucus and Cindy and Public Policy Hendelman of Lasertone Corporation. at UMass Boston.

It was a “sheer pleasure to meet accom- plished women who are in such different Representative Kathi-Anne Reinstein talks areas of work.” with Maryanne Calia, Chief of Staff and Pictured above (from left to right): MCSW Commis- Chief Policy Advisor to Speaker DiMasi. sioner Dr. Helen Jackson, MCSW Commissioner Liz Houlihan, and Helen Corbett.

The event Pictured at left (from left to right): Jackie “brought women Cooke, Mardee Xi- faras of Long, Xifaras together and got & Bullard, Represen- us excited about tative Linda Dorcena Forry, and Guest electing women Speaker Carol Hardy- to office.” Fanta.

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