League of Women Voters of Massachusetts

Welcome, Celina! Read more about LWVUS's new CEO here: https://www.lwv.org/about-us/staff-leadership/celina-stewart

Meet Our New CEO: Celina Stewart | League of Women Voters In June 2024, LWV announced Celina Stewart as the 104-year-old organization's newest CEO. Learn more about this expert litigator and life-long democracy defender!

Last week, Governor Healey signed the Frances Perkins Act into law! By mandating salary transparency, Massachusetts is making progress towards closing racial and gender wage gaps, marking a significant advancement in the quest for thriving, fair, and inclusive communities. We express our deepest gratitude to our partners in the wage equity now and to everyone involved in the passage of this legislation!

We're looking forward to the Women’s Equality Day event at the Boston Public Gardens on August 26th! 💜

Save the Date! Women’s Equality Day annual event! Monday, Aug. 26 noon-1pm, Boston Public Garden near the Swan Boats! Come join the MA Women’s History Center, GBS NCNW Greater Boston Section - National Council of Negro Women, Inc., League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, and the Mayor's Office of Women's Advancement - Boston to commemorate women voting! Free & open to the public!

Today, League of Women Voters of Marblehead is debuting their yard signs all across Marblehead in the lead up to the elections this fall. As the signs say, democracy is counting on us voters! Learn more about election dates and candidate information here: https://www.vote411.org/massachusetts

We are hosting a moderator training next Wednesday, August 14th at 7PM! Register on Zoom here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctduyrqT8jH9L7iK-jhflcsWeUTQWn3dUT

Our VOTE411 voters' guide is now live for the primary election! 🎉 Users can visit the VOTE411 website and enter their address on the "Find what's on your Ballot" section to view political races/candidates.

MA candidates were asked to answer questions about where they stand on the issues and those responses are now live on our voter guide. To see what your candidates are saying about relevant issues, visit https://www.vote411.org/massachusetts

Due to popular demand, we are hosting a ⭐️second⭐️ Zoom event, “Who Governs the Governor’s Council?” to educate voters on what the Governor’s Council is and does, and how it affects the legal system on Tuesday, August 13, at 7 p.m. 👉️Go to the link in our bio to register!⁠

Panelists: David Harris, Emeritus Managing Director of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice at Harvard Law; Jean Trounstine, author, activist and professor who writes about the Governor's Council and Parole; and Nancy Bettinger, LWVMA criminal legal system legislative specialist.
⁠
To register, follow this link (a recording will be provided from this event for those unable to attend): https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkfuGtpjstGd0vzWuT-GAwCLmPV5W4afWJ

Last week, we got together with our Election Modernization Coalition friends to celebrate all of our wonderful summer interns! Interns from ACLU of Massachusetts, MassVOTE, Common Cause Massachusetts, and LWVMA got to meet each other and hear about all of the amazing advocacy projects they worked on this summer. Huge shoutout to Amalgamated Bank for hosting our event!

League of Women Voters of Concord-Carlisle's own Nancy Beeuwkes (front row, second from left) received the League of Women Voters of the US Defender of Democracy Award at Convention in June. This past Monday, LWVCC members, LWVMA staff, and LWVUS representatives got together to celebrate Nancy and her award. Thank you for all that you do, Nancy 💜

Meet Brian, one of our five inspiring runners representing LWVMA at the Falmouth Road Race this August! 💪

Brian is an avid runner who has run 15 marathons, including several for charitable causes. He is excited to use his passion for running to support and promote the work of LWVMA 🏃‍♀️

Currently, Brian is the Head of School at a school in Devens, MA. He put students at the center of all learning to promote a positive school culture that is rigorous, inclusive, welcoming to all students.

Voting rights are personal to him, as a father with two college-age daughters but also as an educator. He is a passionate advocate for democracy to make sure the voices of all people, particularly young people are heard and represented 🎉🏅

Please consider supporting Brian's journey by donating to his runner's page here: https://raceroster.com/events/2024/83188/the-2024-asics-falmouth-road-race/pledge/participant/25719719

Today, LWVMA's Executive Director and Legislative Action Committee Chair (both pictured in the left photo) attended Governor Maura Healey's ceremonial signing of H.4885, An Act Modernizing Firearm Laws. Huge win for gun reform advocates 🙌

Tomorrow is the day! Register for Who Governs the Governor's Council here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYtd-CqqT8uEtQjIi4nmpr2t5_GAzhHuMk9 #/registration

LWVMA is teaming up with Who Governs the Governor's Council to host an event on Tuesday, July 30th at 7PM to educate voters on what the Governor's Council is and does, and how it affects the legal system. The event will feature panelists, include LWVMA's own Nancy Bettinger, criminal legal system legislative specialist. Secure your spot by registering here: https://tinyurl.com/4sf6rr4t

🏃‍♀️ Meet Anne, one of the 5 incredible runners representing Team LWVMA in the Falmouth Road Race!

Anne's running journey started in high school when she joined the cross country team. She is a proud graduate of Wellesley College and Indiana University Maurer School of Law. Last December, Anne joined the League of Women Voters of Boston after meeting LWVMA's Director of Development at the Annual Women's Conference in Boston and learning more about our organization. A law school project on election cybersecurity led to Anne’s interest in voting rights. She was inspired to combine her two passions, running and voting rights, to run for LWVMA in Falmouth.

Fun Fact! Anne has been to 7 continents and sailed across the Pacific Ocean! She also has a scuba diving license.

Despite preparing for the bar exam this summer, Anne is ready to join 12,000 runners in participating in the Falmouth Road Race on August 18th 💪 To support Anne, please follow this link and make a donation: https://raceroster.com/events/2024/83188/the-2024-asics-falmouth-road-race/pledge/participant/26011282

Tomorrow night at 6:30 PM! Register on Zoom here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xRI3Kt8NTWycyvCGbjNxHw #/registration

There’s still time to register for our Virtual forum tomorrow evening. We will have guest speakers from Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE), MassVOTE Massachusetts Voter Table & from League of Women Voters of Massachusetts we have their executive director Pattye Comfort joining us! We’re excited to be talking about how important your vote is especially as a woman of color and ally! ✊🏾🗳️ registration link in bio ✨
••••

Who Governs the Governor's Council event is happening next Tuesday, July 30th at 7PM! Register here on Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xRI3Kt8NTWycyvCGbjNxHw #/registration

LWVMA is teaming up with Who Governs the Governor's Council to host an event on Tuesday, July 30th at 7PM to educate voters on what the Governor's Council is and does, and how it affects the legal system. The event will feature panelists, include LWVMA's own Nancy Bettinger, criminal legal system legislative specialist. Secure your spot by registering here: https://tinyurl.com/4sf6rr4t

The League of Women Voters of the US released the following statement on President Biden withdrawing from re-election: ""While a major party’s presumptive nominee withdrawing his presidential candidacy is an extraordinary occurrence, rules and procedures are in place to respond to this development."

Read more here:

President Biden Withdraws from Reelection | League of Women Voters While a major party’s presumptive nominee withdrawing his presidential candidacy is an extraordinary occurrence, rules and procedures are in place to respond to this development.

Meet Tanya, LWVMA Board Treasurer and one of our incredible runners for the Falmouth Road Race! As a dedicated member of both the state board and her local League (The League of Women Voters of Wellesley), Tanya is not only a passionate advocate for democracy but also a lifelong athlete.

Tanya brings an incredible level of dedication and perseverance to every challenge she takes on. She has biked across the country twice. Currently, she’s running 3-4 times a week, while also swimming and cycling, to prepare for the 7-mile hilly route of the Falmouth Road Race.

Tanya participates in fundraising bike rides each year and is thrilled to leverage her passion for running on behalf of LWVMA. She believes strongly in LWVMA’s mission to defend democracy and wants to support and promote the League in as many ways as possible.

Cheer Tanya on as she combines her love for running with her commitment to the League of Women Voters! 🎉🏅 If you are interested in donating to Tanya and Team LWVMA, visit this link: https://raceroster.com/events/2024/83188/the-2024-asics-falmouth-road-race/pledge/participant/25413643

LWVMA is teaming up with Who Governs the Governor's Council to host an event on Tuesday, July 30th at 7PM to educate voters on what the Governor's Council is and does, and how it affects the legal system. The event will feature panelists, include LWVMA's own Nancy Bettinger, criminal legal system legislative specialist. Secure your spot by registering here: https://tinyurl.com/4sf6rr4t

In case you missed our email this morning, H4773, An Act promoting access to midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth options, is now in the Senate Ways and Means Committee. To learn more about the bill and see how you can help get it passed, take a look at our Action Alert here:

ACTION ALERT: Contact Your Senator TODAY to Bring Maternal Health Bill to the Floor URGE THE SENATE TO BRING THE MATERNAL HEALTH BILL TO THE FLOOR Thanks to your advocacy, the Massachusetts House voted unanimously to pass H4773, An Act promoting access to midwifery care and out-of-ho

Meet Meghan, one of the five incredible runners representing the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts in the Falmouth Road Race on August 18th! 🏃‍♀️✨

Meghan is a member of the League of Women Voters of Falmouth who started running in college as part of her rugby training. Running has helped her stay healthy, meet new people, and explore new places.

This is Meghan's first race since 2016. She decided to run on behalf of LWVMA because she is deeply passionate about democracy and civic engagement. She is excited to run in her hometown race!

Did you know? Meghan eats vegan every January as part of her commitment to combating climate change. 🌱

Support Meghan and Team LWVMA by donating here: https://raceroster.com/events/2024/83188/the-2024-asics-falmouth-road-race/pledge/participant/26757257

LWVMA has continuously advocated for civics education in schools along with our coalition partners. In part from this advocacy, student-led civics projects are now required curriculum for students in eighth grade and high school.

This year, local Leagues around the state attended, supported, and volunteered at various civic showcases around the state. Read more about LWVMA involvement here: https://lwvma.org/news-media/civics-education-celebrating-student-led-civics-projects/

Save the date! July 25th!

Please join us for an evening of civic engagement in the comfort of your own space. We have partnered with MassVOTE Massachusetts Voter Table League of Women Voters of Massachusetts Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) to bring you the virtual forum Your Vote is Your Voice: Your Voice is Your Power. Please register asap as space is limited ✨ https://bit.ly/VoterForum

The September Primary Election is coming sooner than we think! 🗳️ Check out this GBH article for more information on election dates and voting in Massachusetts:

How to vote in the 2024 Massachusetts primary and general elections The Mass. primary is on Sept. 3 and the general election is Nov. 5, 2024.

Congrats League of Women Voters of Needham, MA on creating an amazing parade float with an even more amazing theme! 👏

The League of Women Voters of Needham won the Grand Prize at the Needham Fourth of July Parade today! Our float: "It Takes a Village" was a tribute to the non-profits that help Needham and its residents in so many ways. A replica of Town Hall was the highlight, with four signposts with the names of some of our many non-profits. League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, MA Women's History Center

Huge thank you to this amazing group of members for representing the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts at LWVUS Convention this year! Your dedication to this organization is something to be applauded 👏

Congratulations to League of Women Voters of Concord-Carlisle's very own Nancy Beeuwkes for receiving the inaugural League of Women Voters of the US Protector of Democracy Award at LWVUS Convention last night! Accepting the award on her behalf are her local League colleagues Stephan Bader (left), Diane Proctor (left center), Linda Ziffrin (right), and LWVMA Board co-president Elizabeth Foster-Nolan (right center). We share our gratitude to Nancy for her decades of advocacy, volunteerism and service to the mission of educating voters and defending democracy at the local, state and federal levels. Brava, Nancy! 💜

LWVMA members are rocking it at League of Women Voters of the US Convention this week! Our members are having a great time so far learning, networking, and celebrating all the great work that Leagues across the country do!

Our LAC Chair Jen Muroff got to meet former NY Representative Carolyn Maloney, a women's rights trailblazer who helped pass the Equal Rights Amendment (middle right photo)!

The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts is thrilled to announce our participation in the 2024 Falmouth Road Race on Sunday, August 18th, 2024! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Please consider supporting our amazing runners and helping us make a difference! 💪 Every contribution goes towards promoting civic engagement and making our communities stronger.

Stay tuned throughout the summer as we introduce our amazing team of runners! 🌟 For a brief introduction of our team follow this link: https://raceroster.com/events/2024/83188/the-2024-asics-falmouth-road-race/pledge/team/645656

Shoutout to League of Women Voters of Hingham for helping out with a mock Open Town Meeting for local students earlier this month!

From Kate Boland of LWV Hingham: "League members assisted the Hingham public schools for a second year when 3rd graders held their mock Open Town Meeting. It was held at the Old Ship Meeting House. Students wrote the Warrant Articles and presented pro and con arguments. Our League provided our Citizens Guide to Open Town Meeting booklet for teacher reference and Future Voter stickers. It was wonderful to see democracy in action. Many parents and chaperones mentioned they don’t attend Town Meeting however will in the future. We appreciated being recognized for the League’s contributions to our town by our Town Moderator!"

We had a wonderful time at Council this Saturday hearing from our featured speaker, YW Boston's own Samantha Isabel Calero! Thank you Samantha for your insightful words about leadership sustainability, DEI, and intersectionality!