Originally published via Worcester Magazine, April 11, 2025. Photo: Rick Cinclair/Telegram & Gazette

The Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition is marking 10 years, with something extra to celebrate: a new space to call home, with an office at the Grove Street Family Properties complex at 100 Grove St.

On April 9, it was time to make some noise, with a ribbon-cutting for the new headquarters of the organization, commonly known as MAWOCC. Business and community leaders turning out to join the festivities, while stressing strength and leadership in a time of uncertainty locally and nationally.

“We’re so grateful for you taking the time to spend with us today,” said Celia Johnston Blue, president and CEO and founding member of MAWOCC. “For those of you who do not know, we are a statewide, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that has members, allies and supporters across the Commonwealth … we know we cannot do this work alone, and we’re grateful for the partnerships that we’ve built over the years.”

Blue cited activities such as leadership training for women and girls of color, support for small businesses, and priorities including political engagement, economic development and health and wellness.

This includes taking a role in the 2024 passage of legislation that has critical impact for women. House Bill 4999, dubbed “an act promoting access to midwifery care and out-of-hospital birth options, calls for overhaul of maternal health practices in the state, and expanded coverage for midwifery, birth centers, doulas and screening and treatment of postpartum depression.The Frances Perkins Workplace Equity Act, Senate Bill 2721, seeks to address the wage equity gap between men and women. The coalition was a member of a steering committee of about 100 organizations that coalesced to support the legislation. The law’s measures include requires qualifying employers to disclose to employees offered a promotion or transfer the pay range for the new position, disclose to employees the pay range for their current role upon request, and disclose to applicants the pay range for a specific position upon request.

The bill takes its name from Frances Perkins, who was raised in Worcester and served as secretary of labor under Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and who was the first female member of a U.S. presidential cabinet.

‘Building up strong women to lead’
Speakers included Worcester City Manager Eric Batista. “As it is in my culture, and many of your cultures here, women are usually the backbone of the family, the one who holds everything together. My wife holds my family together,” said Batista. “And that is what Celia is doing here: building up strong women to lead in a time where that has become a lot more challenging, not just to lead as a woman, but just to even lead. Because, there is a lot happening in our community, in our nation, that yes, requires people who are not afraid to speak up, and also, to take some tough decisions.”

Read the full article here.