Framingham Reps Vote to Pass Crown Act and Women’s History Trail

Friday, March 18, 2022 (Framingham) – Framingham Representatives Jack Patrick Lewis, Carmine Gentile, and Maria Robinson voted to pass legislation that would prohibit discrimination based on natural and protective hairstyles. Marking March as Women’s History Month, the House also passed legislation that would create a Women’s Rights History Trail program promoting education and awareness of the struggle for women’s rights in Massachusetts.

“I’m proud the House took action once again to ban discrimination based on natural and protective hairstyles in our schools, places of work, housing, and public accommodations. Bans on natural hairstyles are racist, and prohibiting these discriminatory policies is the right decision,” said Speaker of the House Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “Additionally, by creating a Women’s Rights History Trail program, the House is memorializing the struggle for women’s rights and suffrage in Massachusetts. I thank Chairs Day and Fiola, as well as Representatives Ultrino, Tyler and Kane for their efforts to advance these pieces of legislation.”

“I am incredibly grateful to have co-sponsored and voted to pass the CROWN Act and Women's History Trail bills yesterday,” said Representative Jack Patrick Lewis. “Thank you to Speaker Mariano, Chair Day, Rep Ultrino, Tyler, and Kane for coming together on these pieces of legislation.”

“An Act prohibiting discrimination based on natural and protective hairstyles” (H.4554) would define natural hairstyle in statute, prohibit discrimination in schools, employment, housing and business, and ban school policies that restrict natural and protective hairstyles. This legislation would also expand criminal law prohibiting assault and battery for purposes of intimidation to include natural hairstyle and adds natural hairstyle to hate crime data collection and reporting requirements. It was approved by the House of Representatives 155-0.

“This is an historic moment for Massachusetts. I am beyond delighted that the CROWN Act passed unanimously in the House, and words cannot describe how great it is to see the years of hard work from advocates, staff, legislators and community members bear fruit,” said Representative Steven Ultrino (D-Malden). “Today, the votes in our chamber sent a clear message: race-based discrimination has no place in our Commonwealth. On this day, we ensured that a person’s racial and cultural identity will no longer be an obstacle to their education, professional career and path to success. I am confident that the bill will be well received in the Senate with the support of Senators Gomez and DiDomenico. Lastly, I would like to thank Speaker Mariano, Chair Michlewitz, Chair Day and Representative Tyler for their support and guidance throughout this journey.”

"I'm proud of the House for continuing to lead on issues of diversity and dignity” said Representative Maria Robinson. “The CROWN Act will prevent acts of discrimination while the Women's History Trail will inform future generations of the struggles faced throughout our state."

“I was proud to cast my vote in support of protections for the residents of our Commonwealth who face a double standard simply for wearing their hair naturally,” said Rep. Carmine Gentile. “Our standard for professionalism must not be allowed to be a loophole for racist discrimination. I was also proud to once again support the Women’s Rights History Trail, which will highlight the accomplishments of generations of women who contributed to the fight for equal rights.”

“An Act relative to the creation of a women’s rights history trail” (H.4555) would require the secretary of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, in conjunction with executive director or the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism to develop and implement a Women’s Rights History Trail program that designates properties and sites as historically and thematically associated with the struggle for women’s rights and suffrage. The Women’s Rights History Trail Task Force would research, solicit public input, and make recommendations for sites, properties, and attractions to be included in the Women’s Rights History Trail program. The legislation was approved by the House of Representatives 154-0.Both bills now go to the Senate for their consideration.

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