MetroWest Commission on the Status of Women and Girls Seeks Members

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed into law a bill on Thursday, sponsored by Framingham’s state Sen. Karen Spilka, that will create the MetroWest Commission on the Status of Women and Girls.

The legislation was filed at the request of women in the MetroWest area. Jen Maseda, Sr. Vice President at the United Way of Tri-County was lead organizer and a strong proponent of the bill.

Until Thursday, MetroWest cities and towns were not among the county and regional commissions across the state representing women in the region.

Modeled after the state-wide Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, the MetroWest commission will study and report the findings and provide solutions annually to the commission. The commission will conduct an ongoing research of matters concerning women on such issues as childcare, equal pay, teen pregnancy, education, and financial security.

“This commission will amplify the voices of women and girls in the MetroWest region and identify specific ways to advance women’s rights here and across the state,” said Spilka, who represents Framingham. “We are promoting equality and opportunity for all women in our communities and helping to inspire the next generation of female leaders in the Commonwealth.”

Applications are being accepted until Dec. 1 to fill the nine vacancies on the commission. Candidates must reside in MetroWest and if selected, serve a term of three years and until their successors are appointed.

“There is a real need for commission coverage in the MetroWest community,” said Maseda. “Greater women’s representation and involvement in government advisory commissions like the newly established MetroWest Commission, corresponds with a more equitable distribution of community resources, advancing programs related to health, nutrition, education, and financial security. When women fail to see themselves reflected in the leadership of their community, they get a strong sense that local democracy is impaired, partial, and unjust. There is no greater advocate for family-friendly policies that are the foundation by which we can ensure the success of our children, than a woman.”

MetroWest communities include in the new commission include: Ashland, Bellingham, Dover, Framingham, Franklin, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Maynard, Medfield, Medway, Millis, Natick, Needham, Norfolk, Northborough, Norwood, Sherborn, Southborough, Stow, Sudbury, Walpole, Wayland, Wellesley, Westborough, Weston and Wrentham and the city of Marlborough.