January 19, 2023 – The Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition (MAWOCC) will host its Annual Meeting and Celebration featuring keynote speaker Danielle Allen and afternoon speaker the Honorable Shannon Frison, Justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court during an event taking place Saturday, January 21st from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at College of the Holy Cross Hogan Center, 1 College Street in Worcester.

Allen is director of the Edmond and Lilly Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University and is an appointed professor at Harvard University’s James Bryant Conan University. She also serves as executive board chairperson and founder of Partners in Democracy and was a gubernatorial candidate in Massachusetts. Frison was nominated to the Massachusetts Superior Court by former Governor Deval Patrick in 2012, the youngest judge on that court. She holds a bachelor’s degree in government from Harvard University and a JD from Georgetown University Law Center.

MAWOCC President & CEO Celia J. Blue said each year the organization is intentional when choosing speakers that reflect the progress made by women of color. “We are stronger together when we hold each other up and salute our progress and success, while simultaneously and collectively seeking solutions to the challenges facing women of color,” said Blue. “We are delighted to use our platform to raise the voices of these two distinguished women.”

The MAWOCC Annual Meeting and Celebration serves as an opportunity to share MAWOCC’s 2022 achievements and identifies priorities for 2023. The organization will also announce new developments. The event invites women of color and high school girls of color, members, allies, and supporters. Registration is required at https://bit.ly/MAWOCC2023. The event is free of charge for students.