On May 10th, YW Boston hosted its third Advocacy 101 training with Jill Ashton, Executive Director of the MA Commission on the Status of Women. The thirty five participants learned about the structure of the Massachusetts legislature, the legislative process, how to navigate the General Court website and priority bills that could still be passed this legislative session. Each session there are approximately 6,000 bills filed in the House of Representatives and 2,000 bills in the Senate. There are opportunities to advocate for bills you care about at every step of the legislative process.

Learn more in the MCSW Advocacy Guide 2018.

A week later, YW Boston staff and volunteers joined over 200 advocates at the State House for Women’s Advocacy Day 2018 organized by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. Senate President Harriette Chandler and Representative Christine Barber joined the roster of event speakers to talk about needed gender representation in politics and the important legislative victories won this year for women’s and girls’ rights. After, the group met with their legislators to advocate for a paid family and medical leave insurance program (S.1048/H.2172), supporting parents who run for office (S.386/H.2898), gender equitable coverage in disability policies (S.545/H.482), age-appropriate, medically accurate sexual health education (S.2128/H.3704), and more. Legislators could pass these bills before the end of the legislative session in mid-July. 

For more information on the MA Commission on the Status of Women, check out the following YouTube links:

How to Lobby Effectively

MA Commission on the Status of Women Priority Legislation

Also, consider volunteering with the YW Boston Advocacy Committee. Check here to find upcoming advocacy events.