After a year of hard work by the researchers from the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts, the Research Advisory Council, and the WFWM, we were delighted to announce the completion of the research report on the Status of Women and Girls in Western Massachusetts, 2019. This is our second research report focusing on women and this time, expanding the lens to include girls. 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.
Our panelists shared their unique perspectives from their vantage point in Western Massachusetts; we were honored to host Senator Eric Lesser, Representative Tricia Farley-Bouvier, Co-Owner of Universal Plastics Pia Kumar, Holyoke Community College President Christina Royal, and Women’s Fund Founder Dianne Fuller Doherty.
At the reveal event, panelists shared their reflections on the report and on issues ailing Western Massachusetts women and girls on topics from employment to transportation, child care to the achievement gap, and cultural context to economic prosperity. Community members participating in the discussion shared their interest in understanding the data deeper and learning how to collaborate with others in the community to strengthen ties and holistically serve Western Massachusetts.
The research report listening sessions are free and open to the public. We welcome your reflection and feedback on the research report and hope to hear from many of you in-person at the listening sessions or online via the research report survey. We are working with the Massachusetts’ County Commissions on the Status of Women and Girls to schedule our listening session tour into their meetings.