Women Who Accelerate Action
2025-03-22 15:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Fontbonne Academy, 930 Brook Rd, Milton, MA, 02186, United States
Five influential Boston women (including MAWOCC’s Celia Blue) lead a panel discussion, #ACCELERATEAction, addressing how to drastically shorten the path to gender parity.

MAWOCC Grand Opening
2025-04-09 18:00 - 20:00 | MAWOCC Headquarters, 100 Grove St., Suite 401, Worcester, MA, 01605, United States
Join us for the Grand Opening of the MAWOCC Headquarters! You will be able to tour the headquarters, be there for the ribbon cutting, and enjoy a short speaking ceremony!
Registration is required.

A Day of Holistic Healing and Wellness for Women of Color
2025-05-03 09:00 - 16:00 | Higgins Center, Clark University, 950 Main Street, Worcester, MA, 01610, United States
Join us for a transformative and rejuvenating experience at A Day of Holistic Healing and Wellness for Women of Color, a dedicated space for healing, growth, and self-care.
Parking information is here.
This event is designed to provide a safe and supportive environment where women of color can:
💜 Release – Let go of stress, trauma, and emotional burdens.
💜 Receive – Strategies, expert insights, and self-care resources to nurture and empower you.
💜 Restore – Reconnect with your inner strength, cultivate resilience, and embrace your well-being.
While this event is specifically designed for women of color, we welcome ALL women who are seeking healing, wellness, and community.
What to Expect:
✨ Keynote Speaker: Dr. Dr. Joia Stapleton Mukherjee
Dr. Mukherjee is an associate professor of medicine in the Division of Global Health Equity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and associate professor of global health and social medicine at Harvard Medical School.
✨ Engaging Breakout Sessions on mental health, maternal wellness, holistic healing, overcoming trauma, and more – stay tuned for additional sessions.
✨ Self-Care & Wellness Activities (Additional $25) including yoga, massage therapy, acupuncture, and sound bathing meditation.
✨ Vendor Marketplace featuring local businesses, wellness practitioners, and resources tailored to women of color.
✨ A Space for Sisterhood & Support – Whether you come alone or bring your mother, daughter, sister, or sister-friends, this is a day to prioritize YOU and your well-being.
✨ Networking reception (cash bar)
✨ Breakfast & lunch
Event Details:
📅 Date: May 3, 2025
📍 Venue: Clark University, Higgins Center, Worcester, MA
Registration Options:
We offer two types of registration—General Participants & Vendors.
General Participant Registration – Limited to 150 Spots!
– $75 per attendee
– FREE for students (Event Access Only ticket)
Optional: Wellness/Self-Care Activities ($25) – Enhance your experience with guided yoga, acupuncture, and more.
Vendor Registration (Limited to 20 Spots!)
Non-Profit Vendors: $125 – includes breakfast, lunch, keynote address, panel discussions, and networking reception
For-Profit Vendors: $250: please update this to “For-Profit Vendors: $250 – includes breakfast, lunch, keynote address, panel discussions, and networking reception
Interested in Becoming a Corporate Sponsor?
Do you want to be a corporate sponsor for our 10th Year Events and support this powerful movement? Contact us today at info@mawocc.com to explore sponsorship opportunities!
📢 Secure your spot today! INVEST IN YOU, and join us for a day of healing, empowerment, and community.

Gala Weekend
2025-10-03 - 2025-10-04 | Seaport Hotel Boston, 1 Seaport Ln, Boston, MA, 02210, United States
Take a moment to view some of the memories captured at the 10th Anniversary Gala!
Thank you to all who attended.
VIEW PHOTOS HEREKeynote Speaker — Jeneé Osterheldt Jeneé Osterheldt is a culture columnist who covers identity and social justice through the lens of culture and the arts. Her work centers Black lives and the lives of people of color. She is also the creator of A Beautiful Resistance, a multimedia platform and docuseries for The Boston Globe that centers Black voices and celebrates Black Joy.
The work is both joy and justice. Sometimes this means taking systemic racism, sexism, and oppression to task. Other times it means arts, joy, and space-making. It always means Black lives matter.
Beyond writing and film, her work comes to life on stage and screen as she moderates conversations with thought leaders and culture makers like Ghetto Gastro, Taraji P. Henson, and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley.
More recently, she’s joined leadership at The Boston Globe. In 2023, she was named deputy managing editor of talent, culture, and development.
She joined the Globe in 2018. She was the 2023 chair of the Pulitzer jury for criticism, 2023 ONA winner for Commentary, 2022 YW Boston Women Achiever, a 2022 Murrow Award winner, a 2021 News Leader Association winner, and a 2021 Most Influential Bostonian. She is a 2024 New England Regional Emmy Award winner.
A native of Alexandria, Va., and a proud graduate of Norfolk State University, Osterheldt was a 2017 Nieman Fellow at Harvard, where her studies focused on the intersection of art and justice. She previously worked as a Kansas City Star culture columnist.
Emcees Antoinette Antonio
Anchor, WCVB Read Annette's Bio
Antoinette Antonio is co-anchor of WCVB’s EyeOpener newscasts (4:30AM-7AM) with co-anchor Doug Meehan, chief meteorologist Cindy Fitzgibbon, and traffic anchor Katie Thompson. Antoinette also anchors NewsCenter 5 at Noon (12N-12:30PM) with Jessica Brown.
Antoinette joined the NewsCenter 5 team in June of 2013. Since she arrived in Boston, she’s been lucky enough to cover victory parades for three Patriots Super Bowl wins as well as two Red Sox World series wins. Antoinette has also been honored with a NATAS Boston/New England Emmy® Award for her role anchoring during breaking news coverage of the Apple Store crash in Hingham in 2022.
Antoinette came to WCVB from KOB in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she was a morning anchor and reporter. While in Albuquerque for approximately seven years, Antoinette covered everything from wildfires to floods to snowstorms and even hot air balloon crashes. She also interviewed Barack Obama during his campaign for President. She was part of several team Breaking News awards from the New Mexico Broadcasters Association. If you’re a fan of the TV show “Breaking Bad” you might also recognize Antoinette from her role as ‘News Anchor’ in two episodes. It was a real stretch!
Antoinette started her broadcast career as a morning news anchor and reporter at KWES Midland/Odessa, Texas. During her time there she received awards for anchoring, general assignment reporting as well as sports reporting.
A graduate of University of California, Irvine, Antoinette earned degrees in English and International Studies. She is a member of the Asian American Journalists Association.
Working the morning shift and being a mom doesn’t allow for a lot of free time but in her past life Antoinette enjoyed traveling, reading on the beach, snowboarding in the winter, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen and checking out all of Boston’s amazing restaurants. Antoinette lives outside of Boston with her husband Jeremy and their sons Greyson and Weston.
Brittany Johnson
5 Investigates Reporter, WCVB Read Brittany's Bio
Emmy award-winning journalist Brittany Johnson joined WCVB’s market-leading investigative unit, 5 Investigates, in June 2023. One of the most lauded investigative teams in the country, Brittany works alongside fellow 5 Investigates reporters Karen Anderson and Mike Beaudet.
A skilled investigative journalist, Brittany made the move to Boston from Hearst Television’s KCRA in Sacramento, CA where she served as an investigative reporter and primary fill-in anchor since September 2020.
While at KCRA, Brittany’s continuing coverage of failures by California’s Employment Development Department exposed abuses of the unemployment benefit system and a backlog in jobless and disability claims. The investigative team’s reporting, of what many called the worst fraud in the state’s history, led to changes in the legislature and rectified claims for numerous Californians. In another investigation, Brittany exposed fraud problems with the state’s Middle Class Tax Refund program. She also uncovered unsubstantiated medical bills resulting in the review of pricing practices and reversal of some charges. In addition, Brittany pushed Pacific Gas & Electric for answers about thousands of aging wood power poles at potential risk of failing from hidden dry rot, including some in high fire-threat areas.
Prior to KCRA, Brittany was an investigative reporter and anchor at KTVX in Salt Lake City, UT where she worked with Utah’s Attorney General and the U.S. Marshals Office to give viewers unprecedented access into human trafficking and child sex crimes plaguing the state. Some of Brittany’s work has led to legislative change. She discovered that Utah’s constitution still allowed slavery as a form of punishment. After Brittany broke the news, Utah State Representative Sandra Hollins immediately filed a bill to remove the wording from the state’s constitution. Through dogged determination, Brittany’s reporting led to a referendum on the November 2020 ballot and an amendment to the state constitution.
Before KTVX, Brittany was a news assistant and guest booker at KCBS/KCAL in Los Angeles, CA. During her time there, Brittany also worked as an investigative field producer, helping to expose government corruption and wasteful spending of taxpayer money.
Brittany recently received two 2023 Northern California Area Emmy® Awards, one for Breaking/Spot News – Multiple Reports, and the other for Politics/Government – News or Long Form Content. She is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) and graduated from California State University-Northridge with a degree in broadcast journalism.
Originally from San Diego, Brittany is excited to call Boston home. She enjoys trying new restaurants, attending sporting events, exploring the outdoors, and above all, spending time with family.
Jacquetta Van Zandt
Host and Creator, Politics and Prosecco Podcast Read Jacquetta's Bio
Jacquetta Van Zandt serves as the Vice President of Engagement and Mobilization at Partnership, Inc. She is tasked with developing, coordinating, and sustaining strategic relationships throughout the civic, political, and business arenas. In this capacity, the Vice President oversees long-term strategic planning related to the Partnership’s connections, aiming to establish systemic and sustainable influence to advance the organization’s mission. Before her tenure at Partnership, Inc., Van Zandt cultivated her political expertise on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., as well as through various state and federal campaigns. She has established herself as a respected advocate, contributing to critical decisions that affect communities of color.
A highly sought after political strategist, specializing in public policy and diversity initiatives, she has returned to Massachusetts driven by her passion for creating equal opportunities for women of color. Her commitment to making a difference in her community and highlighting critical issues such as wage inequality, financial literacy, socioeconomic development, women’s empowerment, and diversifying the legislature lies at the core of today’s most pressing challenges.
She played a crucial role in numerous campaigns, notably in the successful election of Framingham’s first mayor, who was also the only woman of color to be popularly elected to that position and in the history of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Van Zandt initiated a thriving and well-loved podcast named “Politics and Prosecco.” Now featured on SparkFM, Politics and Prosecco is a one-hour program where hosts and guests delve into discussions about
current events and their effects on daily life.
Born and raised in Boston, MA, Van Zandt earned her B.S. in Criminal Justice from Mount Ida College, which is now part of the UMASS education system. She currently lives in Roxbury, MA. As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and The Links, Incorporated, she also serves on the boards of Common Cause, the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus, and The Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts and the Environmental League of Massachusetts.
Awardees Betty Francisco READ BIOJohn Esler READ BIOJeanne Esler READ BIOKaren Holmes Ward READ BIOMelissa Ferretti READ BIONancy Huntington Stager READ BIOSen. Robyn Kennedy READ BIOSpeakers Celia Johnston Blue READ BIOCrista Johnson-Agbakwu READ BIOEvelyn A. Toney READ BIOGail Jackson-Blount READ BIOJo Elle Moody READ BIOLidy Chan READ BIOSen. Liz Miranda READ BIOMaria Rivera-Cotto, Esq. READ BIOMayor Maria Rivera READ BIORuthzee Louijeune READ BIOSharon Scott-Chandler READ BIOBrandy Fluker-Reid, Esq. READ BIOSen. Robyn Kennedy READ BIOEvent Details:
October 3rd — Opening Reception (Flagship Ballroom) 5:30-8:30 PM
October 4th — Legislative Breakfast (Seaport Ballroom) 8:30-11:30 AM
October 4th — Black-Tie Gala (Plaza Ballroom) 6-11 PM
Dress code:
Friday night (Opening Reception) — semi-formal
Saturday morning (Legislative Breakfast) — business casual
Saturday night — Black-tie/formal
BID ON SILENT AUCTION ITEMS
Parking:
The Seaport Hotel Boston is located at 1 Seaport Lane, Boston, Massachusetts, 02210. Seaport offers convenient, covered, self-parking within the hotel. The current 2025 rates are listed below, but are subject to change without notice. Current rates will apply. For more details on parking, learn more here.
EVENT: Self: $24.00 Valet $44
OVERNIGHT: Self: $42.00 Valet $55
THANK YOU TO OUR GALA WEEKEND CORPORATE SPONSORS

Virtual Training: Boards & Commissions
2025-11-20 18:00 - 19:30 | Online
A MAWOCC & Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy Collaborative
Be at the table. Wield your power. Shape the future.

Learn the foundations of good governance and how to navigate politically as women of color.
Understand why representation matters more than ever.
Connect with changemakers, building equity from the inside out.

Free Event — Focused on Women of Color
We welcome allies and supporters to attend.
Why it Matters:

Women chair 56% of Massachusetts’ public boards and commissions*
Only 8% of those chairs are women of color*
Over half of Massachusetts boards are still majority male*

We are not at the table, and those decisions are being made without us.
*EOS Foundation Women’s Power Gap Progress Report, 2019-2022
Registration for this event is now closed.

MAWOCC Central Region Gathering – Sip & Paint
2026-04-16 18:00 - 20:00 | MAWOCC Headquarters, 100 Grove St., Suite 401, Worcester, MA, 01605, United States
Join us for an in-person MAWOCC Central Region Gathering for Members: Sip & Paint, an evening of creativity, connection, and community.
Spend the evening relaxing, creating, and connecting with fellow MAWOCC members while being guided through a fun and inspiring painting experience by artist Nayari Veras of NV Creations. Whether you are an experienced artist or picking up a paintbrush for the first time, this gathering is designed to bring people together through creativity and shared community.
Members from the Western and Eastern regions are also welcome, so come enjoy an evening of dinner, cocktails (as well as non-alcoholic beverages), painting, and connection as we celebrate creativity and community together.
REGISTER NOWTicket Includes:

Guided painting experience
All art supplies
Dinner and drinks
Community networking with MAWOCC members

Space is limited to ensure an intimate and engaging experience. We encourage you to register early to reserve your spot.
Add to Calendar

Virtual Statewide Political & Civic Leadership Platform
2026-05-12 18:00 - 19:00 | Online
Join MAWOCC for a Virtual Statewide Political & Civic Leadership Platform headed up by MAWOCC’s State Political & Civic Leadership Chair, Jeanne Morrison, M. Ed. She will be joined by Marisol Santiago, the Director of Policy and Organizing at MassVOTE, and Aba Taylor, the President & CEO of YW Boston.
REGISTER NOW
