Originally published on Worcester Magazine, January 13, 2025

From co-sponsoring candidates’ forums to fostering leadership in women and girls, the Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition is celebrating its first 10 years.

The coalition is also urging more women to forge the future, including seeking membership on boards and commissions that shape policy and quality of life in their communities.

‘A really great milestone’

Participants will both look back, and look ahead, at the coalition’s annual meeting and celebration, set for Jan. 25 at the Beechwood Hotel in Worcester.

“I think the big thing is the fact that we are in our 10th year, and I think that is a really great milestone to celebrate,” said Celia Johnston Blue, president, founding member and chief executive officer of the coalition. “So, we are looking at this as a kickoff of a one-year celebration. We will be highlighting our work over the years.”

Blue said, “One of the things we want to do is really encourage more women to be in leadership positions, and to take on greater roles in our communities, whether it is political, nonprofit, corporate — but to be really involved in our communities,” Blue said.

Blue said the coalition hopes for attendance of 150, with the 2024 event drawing an attendance of about 100.

Profiles, pathways

The event will feature keynote speaker Betty Francisco, chief executive officer of Boston Impact Initiative. “She is really a phenomenal leader who is doing some really great work, in Black and brown owned-businesses, and doing training for the funds manager program,” said Blue of Francisco, also co-founder of Amplify Latinx. “So, we are excited to have her. I think she has got a great story to share.”

Blue said Francisco’s presence will amplify a mission: “In this climate of reality, we are looking to see how we can continue to support and provide power for underserved organizations and businesses.”

The event will feature a discussion panel, with confirmed panelists including;

• Fayval Williams, Parliament member and minister of finance and public service of Jamaica.
• Janet Collazo, chief executive officer and founder of Adaptable Coaching and Leadership, and former executive director of Puerto Rico Protection and Advocacy System for People with Disabilities.

The list of panelists is still in formation, with the possibility of additional speakers and special guests.

Former Sen. Harriette Chandler will receive the coalition’s Legacy Leadership Award, as well as former Worcester City Councilor Sarai Rivera, who served on the City Council from 2011 to 2023. The event will also feature a cocktail reception.

Changes in legislation

The coalition is a nonpartisan organization that does not endorse or oppose individual candidates or parties. The coalition does promote greater awareness of the political process and does play a role in promotion legislation Blue said can address women’s needs, including greater equity and access.

Blue said the coalition is proud of its 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.

The law imposes new pay-data reporting obligations on employers with 100 or more employees in the state if those employers are subject to federal Equal Employment Opportunity report requirements.

The coalition also promoted the 2022 passage of the VOTES Act, making changes to the state’s election laws. This includes allowing vote by mail without requiring a reason, expanding early voting options, ensuring eligible voters who are incarcerated can request a mail ballot and ensuring that the state joins the Electronic Registration Information Center to keep voter registration.

Among its achievements of the past decade, Blue said the coalition is proud of its Intergenerational Leadership Academy, launched in 2023, in which about 40 women of color and 12 to 15 female school students have participated.

Looking ahead

The coalition’s accomplishments also include The Leadership Academy’s second cohort will launch in February, with two-week programs run during school vacations of Feb. 17-21 and April 21-25. The programs emphasize STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) and are open to female high school students of color from Worcester and Worcester County.

A one-year mentorship program will also be offered.

Asked what she hopes participants will take with them from the annual meeting and celebration, Blue said, “I definitely want people, in particular women, to be inspired and empowered, to take on greater roles in our communities. And also to want to support being involved with our organization, for allies and supporters to join.”

Blue said, “I think this meeting really helps to showcase what it is we are actually doing and can accomplish with a small team.”

To that end, Blue said, “We hope folks will get tools and tips, and the courage to take on roles that are greater, particular in our communities. That’s why we want more women involved in their communities, on boards and commissions.”

For the year ahead, there will be more to come, highlighting the coalition’s first decade and setting goals for the future. “We will leave some things to be unveiled, exciting plans that will be sharing in the upcoming year.”

The Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition annual meeting and celebration is set for 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Beechwood Hotel, 363 Plantation St., Worcester. Advance registration required. Tickets are free; suggested donations $25 to $250. Free to high school and college students.