Mission

The Brookline Commission for Women strives to support women in all aspects of their lives and to promote the cultural, racial, and economic diversity of Brookline.

Goals

• To make ourselves visible as a resource for women in Brookline
• To collect and disseminate information or women’s issues
• To cooperate with other Town agencies, other women’s commissions, and other service organizations for addressing women’s issues
• To raise funds in support of our mission
• To offer programming consistent with our mission
• To bring women in Brookline together.

BCW Programs

Annual Dress for Success Winter Coat Drive - Each year in January, the BCW holds a Winter Coat Drive for Dress for Success, a not-for-profit organization that offers services to underprivileged women entering the workforce. Each client receives one suit when she has a job interview and a week’s worth of separates when she gets the job. Clothing needed includes: winter coats, gloves, scarves, shoes and accessories.

Women Who Lead and Succeed (formally Women Who Launch) – The BCW, the Brookline Chamber of Commerce and Brookline Economic Development have joined together to bring a series of programming for current and prospective women entrepreneurs.   A kick-off celebration & panel discussion was held at Newbury College on March 6^th, a workshop for “Effective Networking” was held on October 15^th at the Inner Space and a 3^rd event was held on April 14^th and focused on mentoring.  A fourth event is being planned for Fall 2009.

Women Who Inspire Us - Each March, the BCW holds an essay contest among 6th, 7th and 8th graders. Students are asked to write about a “Woman Who Inspires Me.” Students have written about mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, teachers, coaches, Big Sisters and mentors. The essay contest winners and the special woman in their lives are invited to a reception to honor these exceptional women who have impacted so many young people.

Woman of the Year - Each March, in celebration of National Women’s History Month, the BCW honors one woman from the community who has made a remarkable impact on the Town and people who live here. Past winners include: Attorney Sue Howard (2006), Domestic Violence Advocate Pat Norling (2007) and BEEP Principal Vicki Milstein (2008).  2009 Woman of the Year is Hsiu-Lan Chang.  

Making Cent$ of Money Management Seminar for Women - Series of financial management seminars sponsored by the Bank of Canton, Jennifer A. Lynch Committee Against Domestic Violence and the Brookline Commission for Women.  Events are FREE and open to the public. Please call 617-278-1482 or email BCW@town.brookline.ma.us to learn about upcoming seminars.

Brookline Women Walking Group - Women gather twice weekly, in the morning and early evening to walk together for fun and fitness at the Brookline Reservoir. 

Forums and Events

Toxic Bust – Breast Cancer Awareness - In October 2008, the BCW partnered with the Brookline Health Department to show the documentary film, Toxic Bust, which explores the connection between toxic chemicals and breast cancer.

Body and Sold Reading – Human Trafficking Awareness - Last year, we co-sponsored a reading of Body and Sold which discussed the intertwined issues of sexual exploitation of teens, child abuse and neglect.  This event was held as a fundraiser for the Brookline Teen Center.

Status of Women in Brookline - In 2006, the BCW held a “Forum on the Status of Women” to discuss how Brookline women fare in terms of health, politics and business.

Useful resources

MA Commission on the Status of Women:     www.mass.gov/women

Nat’l Women’s History Project:          www.nwhp.org

Town of Brookline:      www.town.brookline.ma.us

BCW Blog:       http://brooklinecommissionforwomen.blogspot.com

Contact

Contact the Brookline Commission for Women Chair Casey Hatchett at 617-730-2734 or email BCW@town.brookline.ma.us 

You can also join the Brookline Commission for Women at Facebook.com. 

**Thank you to the Brookline Community Foundation for supporting many of our initiatives through grant funds.