June 16, 2016

HIGHLIGHTS

Hadassah Northeast

Women’s Advocacy Day at the State House

May 24, 2016

On Tuesday, May 24, Hadassah Northeast participated in the fifth annual Women’s Advocacy Day at the

State House, organized by The Massachusetts Council on the Status of Women (MCSW.) Twenty-five

Hadassah women lobbied Massachusetts policy makers on the Research for All Act and the Act to

Establish Equal Pay.

Hadassah Northeast members at the fifth Annual Women’s Advocacy Day at the Massachusetts State House on Tuesday, May 24, 2016

The morning featured a welcome address by MCSW Chair, Victoria Budson and additional speakers who

discussed the importance of legislation to support women and girls, including the Caucus of Women

Legislators Co-Chair Representative Gloria Fox, Representative Ellen Story, and the MCSW Regional

Commission Chairs from across the Commonwealth.

June 16, 2016

Victoria Budson, MCSW chair, delivering the welcome address

Representative Ellen Story

Hadassah members then met with their local legislators, including Representatives Lou Kafka, William

Gavin, Kay Khan, Jay Livingstone and aides for Representatives Mark Cusack, Claire Cronin, Linda Dean

Campbell, Lori Erhlich and Senator Barbara L’Italien. Everyone was optimistic and supportive of the Act

to Establish Pay Equity, which passed unanimously in the Senate and will be voted on by the House

before the end of the session in July.

While we learned that policies on health are typically initiated on a national level, we were encouraged

to contact our Congressmen for their support on Gender Equity in Medical Research. State

representatives also offered to speak with our Congressmen to inform them that Hadassah constituents

nationwide will be advocating for this bill to be brought back to committee for further discussion.

Representative Jay Livingstone (8th Suffolk District) agreed to consult with Hadassah on the possibility of

introducing legislation on the state level concerning gender equity for medical research.

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Representative Claire Cronin’s aide, Stephanie Fleming, was especially intrigued to learn that Boston

medical and police teams were trained by Hadassah doctors and utilized this training during the Boston

Marathon bombings. Overall, legislators were impressed with Hadassah’s membership and mission and

were happy to take our materials and learn more about Hadassah and what we do.

June 16, 2016

Representative Kay Khan is featured in the center surrounded by Hadassah Northeast members.

Sascha Alach, Representative Campbell's aid is featured in the center

The day ended with a Hadassah group tour of the State House, which provided architectural, historical

and legislative information. The tour inlcuded the Hall of Flags, the Great Hall, Chambers for the House

of Representatives and the Senate as well as an area outside the Executive Offices that had portraits of

prior governors from Massachusetts.

June 16, 2016

Women's Advocacy Day at the State House demonstrated the impact that Hadassah has regarding issues

critical for women. The day was also an excellent opportunity to build relationships with local legislators

and create a special interest group for Hadassah members interested in advocacy. We look forward to

organizing A Day in the District in 2017.

The Great Hall, a 20th century addition, displays Massachusetts town and city flags.

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