The Massachusetts Women Veterans' Network will host the first ever FAMILY DAY on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at Greenhill Park in Worcester! See flier to register!
Shared from -> https://www.franklinma.gov/veterans-services/news/women-veterans-network-host-first-family-day-park
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| Women Veterans' Network to Host First Family Day in the Park! |
The Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday unanimously passed S.2802, An Act relative to the creation of a women’s rights history trail. The legislation celebrates the rich history of the women’s rights movement and contributions women have made across the Commonwealth.
Each year, thousands of tourists visit Boston to walk the Freedom Trail, to learn about the founding of our nation and walk in the history of our founding fathers. This legislation would allow residents and visitors alike to follow a similar trail to learn about the women who have made our Commonwealth, and nation, what it is today. By attracting tourists to women’s rights history trail sites, this bill will also help to stimulate economic activity throughout Massachusetts.
"Women in Massachusetts have played a pivotal role at every step in the Commonwealth’s history, yet their contributions are too often overlooked," said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). "The Women's Rights History Trail will serve as a visible monument to the history of women—and the women's rights movement. Understanding this history gives us all a chance to reflect on where we have come from and what it means to leave a legacy that can uplift and inspire future generations. I am glad to see that this trail will give particular attention to the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of the women who have transformed Massachusetts. I would like to thank Senator Lovely and her staff for their work to make this a reality."
“Massachusetts has a rich history of involvement in the women's rights movement,” said Senator Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem), the bill’s lead sponsor. “Women have had a pivotal role in shaping the policies of our Commonwealth, and this bill will ensure that those contributions are known and celebrated. I would like to thank Senate President Spilka for her strong leadership and the work she has done to highlight women’s history, and the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators for their advocacy. The history of these women is our history, and we must continue to advance that history forward.”
This legislation creates a 16-member task force responsible for soliciting public input and conducting research to recommend sites, properties, and attractions for that are historically and thematically associated with the struggle for women's rights and women's suffrage, and that reflect Massachusetts’ geographic and demographic diversity. The Senate bill also requires the inclusion of accomplishments of women veterans in the trail, as well as recommendations for increasing the representation of women in the artwork of the State House. Members of the task force would include representatives from the Massachusetts Historical Society, the Commission on the Status of Women, and the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators, among others.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary and the Director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism will be required to develop a program based on the task force’s recommendations, including educational handbooks, maps, signs, and vacation itineraries connected to the trail. The task force will have until January 1, 2023, to file its report.
With versions of this bill having been engrossed by the House and Senate, An Act relative to the creation of a women’s rights history trail now moves to the House of Representatives for enactment.
Link to the legislation itself -> https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H4555
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| An Act relative to the creation of a women’s rights history trail |
Please join the St. Mary’s Women’s Faith Formation as we meet via zoom on Saturday April 9, 2022 from 9:30-10:30 AM.
We are delighted to have Sister Mary Anne Doyle, CSJ of the Sisters of St.Joseph of Boston joining us as our guest speaker. Sister Mary Anne is a former professor at Regis College and Wellesley College.
For the link to attend via Zoom, please go to our Women’s Faith Formation (https://www.
We will repeat the program Tuesday, April 12 at 7 PM for anyone who cannot make Saturday.
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| St. Mary’s Women’s Faith Formation - Apr 9 |
The Women's Veterans Network is partnering with local YMCAs to engage Women Vets and their families.
All women veterans are invited to attend the Women's Veterans Network Family Open House and Breakfast on Saturday, March 26 at the North Attleboro YMCA located at 300 Elmwood Street.
Franklin Veterans' Services Officer, Shannon Nisbett will be attending the breakfast and looks forward to meeting local veterans!
Go to: www.veterannetwork.eventbrite.com to register!
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| Women Veterans' Breakfast - Saturday, March 26, 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM |
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| The MA pay gap per Census data |
Ladies, do you need a night out? The St. Mary’s Women’s Club will be gathering on Thursday evening, February 17 at 7:00 PM in the Parish Hall.
We are making signs and decorations with Julie Ackles Frias from Life Expressions Décor. Check out her web page at https://www.lewithme.com/ for more info and pictures of some fun ""Make and Take"" parties they have held.
All ladies are welcomed to join us for a fun evening of laughs and creativity. The projects are around $30 a piece.
Email Rose O’Koren, okorenj@comcast.net and let her know you are coming so we have enough material.
If you forget to tell Rose, come any way, I’m sure we will have enough.
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| St. Mary's Women's Club Make and Take Meeting - Feb 17 - 7 PM |
"The MA Department of Veterans Services is looking for feedback from women who have served. "Take the survey now: https://tinyurl.com/5n6j2ybd
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| MA Department of Veterans Services is looking for feedback from women who have served |
Marcia Szymanski, CEO, New Hope Inc. offer condolences to the family of the Shirley Branco Owen who was murdered on Friday, December 17, 2021. New Hope also is able to offer support to family and friends of Ms. Owen.
In response to yesterday’s alleged domestic violence homicide in Franklin, the police were able to apprehend the suspect, Ms. Owen’s ex-husband, thus there is no danger to the community at-large.
New Hope, Inc.’s Executive Director and President, Marcia Szymanski, issued a statement to inform the community about services available to them. New Hope, Inc. provides domestic violence services to 41 communities, including Franklin. New Hope has offices in both Attleboro and Milford to assist survivors of domestic violence with safety planning, obtaining restraining orders, and other legal protections to ensure their safety. These services are free of charge.
New Hope President and CEO, Marcia Szymanski, stated, “We want to inform the public that New Hope has a 24-hour, toll-free hotline available to survivors and witnesses to violence, as well as to concerned family members, friends, co-workers and neighbors who may need support. Our hotline is 1-800-323-HOPE (4673), and we encourage anyone who may be in need of our services to call and get help.”
New Hope, Inc.’s domestic and sexual violence services include the 24-hour hotline (1-800-323-HOPE), two emergency shelters for survivors fleeing violent homes, counseling services for adults and children, a supervised visitation center where non-custodial parents can visit in a safe supervised setting with their children due to domestic violence and other issues, court-based legal advocacy to help survivors obtain restraining orders, safety planning, an intimate partner abuse education program, education/outreach services.
New Hope, Inc. is a registered 501 (C) (3) non-profit organization, whose mission is “To create communities free from violence and exploitation.” For more information, visit www.new-hope.org.
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There was a time when women couldn’t have jobs and had no voting rights. Women were property passed from father to husband. High-school student Melanie must learn how things changed.
We Did It For You! Women's Journey Through History is the story of how women got their rights in America, told by the women who were there. It is an entertaining and quick tour through the journey, starting with the struggle women had in the 17th century Puritan Revolution through to our 21st century empowered women politicians. |
| We Did It For You! Women's Journey Through History = Dec 14, 7 PM |
Cathleen Liberty, Franklin Health Director, talks with Marcia Szymanski, Executive Director of New Hope, in this episode of The Topic.
New Hope Hotline -> 800-323-HOPE or 800-323-4673
Web page = www.new-hope.org/
Audio file -> https://anchor.fm/franklin21/episodes/003---Marcia-Symanski---New-Hope-e1b1ubk/a-a70j0lp
We are now producing this in collaboration with Franklin.TV and Franklin Public Radio (wfpr.fm).
For additional information, please visit the Health Dept page at www.Franklinma.gov
If you have questions or comments you can reach me directly at cliberty@franklinma.gov
The music for the intro and exit is called “Positive and Fun” by Scott Holmes Music and is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Scott Holmes Music => https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes
You can also subscribe and listen to TheTopic audio on iTunes or your favorite podcast app; search in "podcasts" for "TheTopic"
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| The Topic: 003 - Marcia Symanski - New Hope |
