Current Issues and Projects (Brookline Commission for Women)

Gender Pay Equity (Preliminary Report 2022)

The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Relations and the Brookline Commission for Women have been interested in doing a Salary Study in Brookline to identify any inequities in pay, specifically by gender. In December of 2022 we were able to analyze the available salary data from EEO reports (2017, 2019, and 2021) and compiled a Preliminary Report and Executive Summary.

Legislative and Advocacy Supports

The Brookline Commission for Women's policy advocacy agenda includes identifying issues within the BCW mission that could or should be addressed legislatively, tracking laws and regulations at the local and state level that may have a substantial effect on gender equity and justice, and recommending to the BCW whether and how to take action. In particular, upon the publication of the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting in May and for the Special Town Meeting in November, the BCW reviews the Warrant and discusses which articles, if any, to hear for consideration of a recommendation to Town Meeting. The BCW makes recommendation to Town Meeting if an article may have significant positive or negative consequences for gender equity or justice.

Some examples of past & current BCW Legislative & Advocacy activities and actions:

  • Supporting Warrant Articles on Menstrual Product Availability, Facial Recognition Software, Gender Neutral Language in by-laws, and more
  • Urging the State Legislature to make permanent COVID-related amendments of the OML that expanded remote participation
  • Supporting the ROE Act and the Healthy Youth Act before the state legislature
  • Working with students at BHS to advocate for improved Sex Education and Consent curricula in Brookline

Community Supports

BCW’s community outreach and engagement shapes BCW's responses to identified or emerging needs of female-identifying residents of Brookline. Through direct action and by collaborating with other public or private entities, the BCW finds ways to respond both to social/emotional or economic need as well as need for information or education regarding gender equity and justice.

Some examples of past BCW Community Support activities and actions:

  • Collaborating with Dress for Success on a women’s winter coat drive
  • Sponsoring virtual gatherings for Brookline women to discuss life during COVID
  • Supporting student efforts at BHS to address sexual aggression and harassment
  • Compiling a database of child care resources in Brookline