Wednesday, September 30, 2009

MWPC PAC Joins National Women's Political Caucus in Endorsing Martha Coakley for US Senate


The Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus PAC announced today that it has joined the National Women’s Political Caucus in endorsing Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley to be the next United States Senator from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Coakley is running for the Democratic nomination to fill the seat left vacant by former Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who passed away in August. If elected, she would be the first Massachusetts woman ever to serve in the United States Senate.

A special election is scheduled for January 19, 2010, with a primary election on December 8, 2009.

“Throughout her career, Martha Coakley has distinguished herself as a highly-capable, dedicated and thoughtful public servant,” said Sheila Capone-Wulsin, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus. “We at the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus are pleased to have our PAC join the National Women’s Political Caucus in endorsing her to be the first woman ever elected to the United States Senate from Massachusetts. We have full confidence that she will carry on Senator Kennedy’s long legacy of being a consistent and vocal advocate for women's equality.”

Before being elected Massachusetts Attorney General, Coakley served eight years as Middlesex District Attorney, bringing justice to crime victims and their families and emphasizing the importance of working with community leaders, schools, and law enforcement in a variety of diverse and multi-faceted prevention efforts. She has been involved in a number of community and professional organizations, including the Women's Bar Association of Massachusetts and the Board of Directors at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

The endorsement was announced at a press event held at the Fairmont Copley Hotel in Boston earlier today, which included MWPC Executive Director Sheila Capone-Wulsin, Senate President Therese Murray, EMILY's List President Ellen Malcolm, and numerous female legislators from across Massachusetts. You can see more photos of the event by clicking the link below.

Thursday, September 24, 2009

22nd Annual Abigail Adams Awards on Sept. 30

Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC's "Hardball," will serve as Emcee for the 22nd Annual Tribute to Abigail Adams Awards sponsored by the Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus.

The Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus introduced the Tribute to Abigail Adams in 1988. Award recipients are women who have demonstrated through their work and/or their community activism an outstanding commitment to the realization of equal political, economic, and social rights for women.

This year's honorees include Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley; Massachusetts Senate Assistant Majority Leader Joan Menard; former Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey; and Boston Women's Commission Executive Director Marie Turley. The Abigail Adams/Jane M. Swift Commitment to Public Service Award also will be presented to Michelle Keating, President and Chief Executive Office of Alder Foods. Other distinguished honorees also will be recognized for their accomplishments and achievements.

A dinner and awards ceremony honoring the recipients will be held Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston. A reception will begin at 6 p.m. with a dinner and awards ceremony to follow at 7 p.m. The event is open to members of the press.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the MWPC Education Fund, a 501c(3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible.

The Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus is a multipartisan organization that promotes the participation and involvement of women of all ages in the political process. The organization was founded in 1971 for the purpose of increasing the number of women elected and appointed to public office and public policy positions.

Born in Weymouth, MA in 1744, Abigail Adams was one of the earliest women's advocates with strong beliefs in equal political, economic, and social rights for women. Abigail was the wife of our nation's second President, John Adams, and the mother of six children.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Congratulations to Ayanna Pressley

Congratulations to Ayanna Pressley, who earned a spot on the November 3 general election ballot for one of four at-large seats on the Boston City Council.

Our PAC endorsed Ayanna Pressley this summer, and a number of us had a great time supporting her out in the field yesterday.

Many of us are familiar with Ayanna's exemplary, collaborative approach and can-do style in connecting the residents of Boston and the state to resources and services, as an Aide to former Congressman Joseph Kennedy and Senator John Kerry. She also served as a former board member of MWPC and she is a Wonder Woman Award recipient.

Ayanna will not only bring new leadership and new vision to the office, but she also brings proven, problem solving qualities and a life-long dedication to public service that will translate to even greater service to the families of Boston during these most challenging times. In addition, she would be the first woman of color ever to serve and only the third woman elected at-large in the Council's 100 year history.

For more information on Ayanna Pressley her candidacy, please visit http://www.ayannapressley.com/. And if you are looking for opportunities to help her campaign or any other candidate we've endorsed, please contact our office at (617) 451-9294.


Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Good News for MWPC-Endorsed Candidates Pressley, Balser

MWPC would like to congratulate State Representative Ruth Balser for topping the ticket in the City of Newton's preliminary election for Mayor yesterday. Balser is trying to become the first female mayor in the city's history.

You can read about Balser's impressive showing in a story in today's Boston Herald.

MWPC also would like to congratulate Ayanna Pressley on picking up the Boston Herald's endorsement for an at-large seat on the Boston City Council. The preliminary election is on September 22, and is slated to narrow down a wide list of candidates to 8 contestants vying for 4 seats in the general election.

The MWPC PAC is proud to have endorsed both candidates this year. Way to go!

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Sheila Capone-Wulsin in The Hill

MWPC Executive Director Sheila Capone-Wulsin was quoted in The Hill on Saturday, talking about Martha Coakley's candidacy in the special election to fill Senator Kennedy's vacant seat in the United States Senate.

Click here to read the full article.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Abigail Adams Awards - Sept. 30

22nd Annual Tribute to Abigail Adams Awards

September 30, 2009
Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel, Boston

6:00pm – 7:00pm Reception
7:00pm – 8:00pm Dinner and Awards Ceremony

This year, we will be honoring these exceptional women:

- Attorney General Martha Coakley
- Senator Joan Menard (Assistant Majority Leader )
- Lt. Governor Kerry Healey
- Marie A. Turley (Executive Director, Boston Women’s Commission )
- Jane M. Swift Commitment to Public Service Award presented to
Michelle Keating (President & CEO, Alder Foods)

...and other Distinguished Honorees!

Please click on the following links for additional information:

Register
Sponsor
Check out our online auction

The Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus introduced the Tribute to Abigail Adams in 1988 to recognize six Massachusetts women leaders. Award recipients are women who have demonstrated through their work and/or their community activism an outstanding commitment to the realization of equal political, economic, and social rights for women. The proceeds benefit the MWPC Education Fund a 501c(3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible.

As part of the Abigail Adams event the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus has also established two additional awards. The MWPC created the Dolores L. Mitchell Lifetime Achievement Award to honor her for being one of the MWPC's founders and current Board Members. This Award was presented to Teresa Heinz Kerry in 2003. In 2002 the MWPC honored Governor Jane M. Swift with the creation of a new award in her honor, the Jane M. Swift Commitment to Public Service Award.

Born in Weymouth, MA in 1744, Abigail Adams was one of the earliest women’s advocates with strong beliefs in equal political, economic, and social rights for women. Abigail was the wife of our nation’s second President, John Adams, and the mother of six children.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

MWPC Mourns Loss of Senator Kennedy

August 26th was a solemn day in the long struggle for women's equality.

On that day, Massachusetts lost Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who was a consistent and vocal advocate for women's equality through the years.

That day also marked the 28th annual Women's Equality Day. Women's Equality Day was first established in 1971 by Rep. Bella Abzug as a way to commemorate the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution in 1920, which gave women across the country the right to vote.

MWPC took time on the 26th to honor the sacrifice and commitment of the original Suffragettes who made that day possible, including people like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

We also joined together several days later to remember Senator Kennedy and his years of work on behalf of women in the U.S. Senate. A number of MWPC staff members, friends and supporters held signs along the motorcade for his funeral cortege, expressing messages of thanks and appreciation for all of his efforts.

Boston Globe endorses Balser for mayor of Newton


Earlier today, the Boston Globe endorsed state Representative Ruth Balser for mayor of Newton in the preliminary election to be held on Tuesday.

You can read the full endorsement editorial here.

Ruth Balser was proudly endorsed by the MWPC PAC earlier this year. It was our first municipal endorsement ever. Ruth is a lifelong resident of Newton and she has spent more than 20 years as a public servant, serving as a Newton Alderman and now as a legislator in her sixth term. She has been an active member of her sons' PTOs, as well as civic, political and religious organizations.

A total of 32 men have served as mayor in Newton, which is one of the largest cities in Massachusetts. We're working hard to make sure the next mayor is Ruth Balser. On June 7, a number of us attended a special event in Newton to announce our endorsement and to show our support.

For more information on Ruth Balser and her candidacy, please visit:http://www.ruthformayor.com/.

Sheila Capone-Wulsin in Politico

MWPC Executive Director Sheila Capone-Wulsin was quoted in Politico today, talking about the role women will play in the special election to fill Senator Kennedy's vacant seat in the United States Senate.

Click here to read the full article.

Welcome to our blog.

Thank you for visiting the Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus blog.

The Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus is a multipartisan organization that promotes the participation and involvement of women of all ages in the political process. The organization was founded in 1971 for the purpose of increasing the number of women elected and appointed to public office and public policy positions.

This blog gives us an opportunity to share news and updates with you on a frequent basis. Please check back often for new information. Please also be sure to visit our Web page, www.mwpc.org