Status of Women and Girls in Western Massachusetts, 2019 Prepared for the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts by: Jessie Gleckel, MPH Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts March, 2019 About This Report This is the second report of its kind commissioned by the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts since 2013. The Status of Women and Girls in Western Massachusetts, 2019 uses data from local, state, and federal agencies to highlight several facets of women and girls’ diverse experiences in Western Massachusetts. With an increased effort to explore intersectionality and gender (in)equity, this report underscores where women and girls, and therefore the whole region, continue to face obstacles. In addition, the report highlights women and girls’ progress and successes. This report is intended to provide new and additional information to the 2013 report; inform the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts community investment strategy; and serve as a tool to help the region collectively advocate for programs and policies that increase opportunities for women and girls and move Western Massachusetts toward a more gender inclusive and equitable region for all. About the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts fuels progress toward gender equity by funding the most promising solutions, collaborating with results-oriented partners, and by elevating the collective power of local women to take charge, and to lead with purpose. Through grant- making for social impact, the Women’s Fund supports organizations and projects that help drive gender equity by fostering economic prosperity for women of all ages. The Women’s Fund strongly believes that the integration of multi-sector efforts and issues is critical to advancing progress for all. By joining forces with key strategic partners, we can leverage expertise, relationships, and resources to produce the most promising solutions and inspire cross-sector engagement. The Women’s Fund is committed to developing women’s leadership across varied sectors, capacities, and positions. By engaging and supporting women and girls of all ages to develop their best personal and professional selves, the Women’s Fund is committed to investing in the lives of women, children, and families across the Commonwealth. Together, we can make deep impact in our communities by helping to support the leaders of today – while building the leaders of tomorrow. About the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts The Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts (PHIWM) builds measurably healthier communities with equitable opportunities and resources for all through civic leadership, collaborative partnerships and policy advocacy. PHIWM provides skills, expertise, and experience to create successful public health campaigns and sustainable system changes to improve health and well-being in Western Massachusetts. Through partnerships, PHIWM builds on community assets and builds community capacity to positively impact social determinants of health. Ensuring health equity and challenging institutional racism are core values integrated into all PHIWM’s services. Through coalition building, community-based research and evaluation, and health policy advocacy, PHIWM works with and on behalf of communities that experience health disparities and inequities. 2 Status of Women and Girls in Western Massachusetts | Women’s Fund of Western MA Acknowledgements The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts and the Board of Directors Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts would like Haydee Lamberty-Rodriguez, President to thank the following individuals, organizations, agencies, Springfield Public Schools and groups for providing subject matter expertise, time, and Leigh Rae, Vice President in-kind resources to make this report possible: Non-profit Consultant Fung Chow, CPA, Treasurer 2019 Status of Women and Girls in Western Massachusetts Brooks Brothers Group, Inc. Advisory Council Members Pia Kumar, Clerk Monica Borgatti – Women’s Fund of Western Universal Plastics Massachusetts Trish Bonica Janis Broderick – Elizabeth Freeman Center YWCA of Western MA Kelley Lynne Bryant – Women’s Fund of Western Survivor Recovery Fund Massachusetts Kathy Cardinale Dawn Forbes DiStefano – Square One and Hampden County Cardinale Design Commission on the Status of Women and Girls Denise Hurst STCC & Springfield School Committee Lynn Griesemer – Amherst Town Council and UMass Donahue Institute Rania Kfuri Smith College Donna Haghighat – Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts Chelsea Kline Community Leader Aumani Harris – Community member and MotherWoman Martha Potvin Denise Hurst – Springfield School Committee Springfield College Jenise Katalina – Square One and MotherWoman Dora Robinson Linda-Jeanne Mack – Berkshire Children and Families and United Way of Pioneer Valley Hampshire/Franklin Commission on the Status of Women Michelle Sears and Girls Health New England Madelaine Marquez – Latino Scholarship Fund Layla Taylor Maya McCann – Heisler, Feldman & McCormick, P.C. Sullivan, Hayes & Quinn LLC Mary McRae – Investing In Girls Alliance Michelle Theroux Lindsay Sabadosa – Massachusetts State Representative Berkshire Hills Music Academy Audrey Straw – Student Karla Travieso Gardening the Community Peggy Vezina – Recover Project Gwendolyn VanSant Barbara Viniar – Rise Up Leadership Coaching Multicultural BRIDGE Lora Wondolowski – Leadership Pioneer Valley Anne Weiss Weiss Consulting 3 Status of Women and Girls in Western Massachusetts | Women’s Fund of Western MA Subject Matter Experts/Key Informants (by Report Focus Area) Berkshire Commission on the Status of Women Health and Wellness Catherine Brooks – Collaborative for Educational Services Wendy Penner – Northern Berkshire Community Coalition Jeanette Voas – Franklin Regional Council of Governments Massachusetts Department of Public Health Incarceration Deborah Cubi – Hampden County Sheriff’s Department Tatyana Delaney – Hampden County Sheriff’s Department Ed Hayes – Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Gretchen Krull – Director of VOICES from Inside Martha Lyman – Hampden County Sheriff’s Department Patricia Murphy – Hampden County Sheriff’s Department Marisa Pizii – Former Co-Director of the Prison Birth Project, currently Deputy Director of Programs for Civil Liberties and Public Policy at Hampshire College Jennifer Sordi – Hampden County Sheriff’s Department Sally J. Van Wright – Hampden County Sheriff’s Department Participation and Leadership in Business and STEM Mark Melnik – Donahue Institute Political Representation and Participation Nina Liang – Emerge Massachusetts Public Safety Yoshi Bird – YWCA of Western Massachusetts Heather Hubbard – Franklin County Office of the District Attorney Stacey Langknecht – Children’s Advocacy Center of Franklin County and North Quabbin Area and Hampshire County Vera Mouradian – Massachusetts Department of Public Health Lisa Sampson – Massachusetts State Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Erin Strong – Berkshire County Kids’ Place & Violence Prevention Center, Inc. Amy Waldman – Massachusetts Department of Public Health Lynne Marie Wanamaker – Safe Passage Jessica Wozniak – Baystate Family Advocacy Center 4 Status of Women and Girls in Western Massachusetts | Women’s Fund of Western MA Welcome from the Women’s Fund CEO: The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts is pleased to share our second research report focusing on women and this time, expanding the lens to include girls: The Status of Women and Girls in Western Massachusetts, 2019. Since the publication of our Status of Women in Western Massachusetts, 2013, we have seen progress in a number of areas for women, as well as places to grow. In terms of progress, we see that more women are being educated at both the high school and college levels. While the trend is in the right direction, there is much room to grow, particularly in Hampden County. We see progress with more women being elected to office, but we must encourage women to reach higher so we can achieve shared leadership. Additionally, our region is very slowly becoming more racially and ethnically diverse. While most of Western Massachusetts’ diversity still lies within Hampden County, the other three counties have made small gains. Areas to focus attention and resources for women and girls include economic security, particularly for women of color, leadership, and health and safety. Hampden County, our most populated county, also deserves special consideration. Women and girls from Hampden County fare worse overall than in other Western MA counties. For girls in particular, we are concerned by health and safety indicators that show that girls are experiencing higher rates of child exploitation, depression, and sexually transmitted infections as compared to boys. Finally, we see a need for more supportive services for our region’s incarcerated women, and full compliance with the anti-shackling legislation passed in 2014. This report would not have been possible without support from our donors who are passionate about identifying and addressing challenges and opportunities faced by our region’s women and girls. Our research partner, the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, and our Research Advisory Board were indispensable partners without whom this report could not exist. We intend to use this report as both an educational tool and a call to action with our community, our policymakers, and other organizations devoted to advancing gender equity. Onward,