Established in 1977 as a City department, the Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women (CCSW) works in an inclusive manner to promote equality and justice for all women and girls and advocates on their behalf with other City departments and officials, local organizations, and state government to increase their opportunities through program development, policy recommendations, and public education in key issue areas identified by the Commission as significantly affecting women and girls.

What We Do

• Promote access and provide policy recommendations within City departments, City government, and local organizations to ensure equality for women and girls.
• Foster the advancement of the status of women and girls, particularly marginalized women and girls, within City departments and the private sector.
• Advocate, monitor, and propose municipal and statewide legislation to improve the quality of women’s and girl’s lives.
• Promote programs that increase public awareness and understanding of multiple issue areas, including but not limited to violence against women, women’s history, and girls sports.
• Provide technical assistance, information, and referral to individuals, community organizations, businesses, and other City departments related to women’s and girls’ rights and services.
• Coordinate and work with community organizations and coalitions promoting issues that improve the quality of life for women and girls.
• Monitor complaints of unlawful and unequal treatment of women.

Annual Commitments

• 5th Grade Girls’ Sports Day
• High Risk Assessment Team Advisory Board
• Domestic Violence Task Force, Chair
• Cambridge Employee’s Committee on Diversity
• MA Coalition for Women’s Wage Equity
• Cambridge Women’s Heritage Project
• Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators
• Domestic Violence-Free Zone Core Group
• Boston Area Rape Crisis Center Annual Walk Sponsor
• Boston’s International Women’s Day Planning Committee
• Paid Sick Leave Coalition
• Community Engagement Team Advisory Committee
• Feminism and Dessert monthly forum
• Alliance for Girls’ Services, Co-Chair

Membership

Members of the Commission are appointed by the City Manager and are responsible for supporting the Executive Director in accomplishing the Commission’s goals.

The Commission is a member of the National Association of Commissions for Women (NACW), the professional organization for over 220 commissions providing support, expertise, and serving as their national voice.