Midwife Advocacy Day October 5



Massachusetts is facing a maternal health crisis. Midwives can help eliminate racial disparities in maternal health outcomes by improving patient autonomy and satisfaction. Midwives in Massachusetts do not have a path to licensure. Please join our partners in the Bay State Birth Coalition on Thursday, October 5 at 12:30 PM at the State House for Midwife Advocacy Day. Read more.

“What’s Up with Offshore Wind” Series Continues



LWVMA is partnering with New England for Offshore Wind (NE4OSW) on a three-part Zoom webinar series featuring distinguished and knowledgeable speakers who will bring us up to speed on offshore wind. Watch the first webinar and register for the next two at the LWVMA webpage. Read more.

Gun Safety Public Opinion Poll Results



LWVMA has prioritized gun violence prevention legislation as one of four key areas for Day on the Hill October 11. Everytown for Gun Safety recent polling shows overwhelming bipartisan support for gun safety policies across the Commonwealth. 84% of respondents support the passage of legislation to prohibit the sale and possession of “ghost guns,” which are increasingly being recovered at crime scenes in Massachusetts. Read the full results here.

Update on New Sex Education Guidelines



LWVMA has advocated for accurate, age-appropriate sex education in our public schools for over eleven years through our support of the Healthy Youth Act bill (H544/S268). Of great concern was that the sex education curriculum hadn’t been updated since 1999 so schools did not have useful guidelines to follow. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education unanimously voted to approve a comprehensive new set of guidelines on Sept. 19. Read more.

Join an LWVMA Committee



The Membership Committee and the Voter Engagement Committee are seeking volunteers. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Pattye Comfort. 

Student Membership Drive



Is your League busy doing voter registration? Make your voter registration efforts this fall a “two-fer” by signing up new student members for your League. As an incentive to join, new students who join the League by October 31 via this form will be entered into a free drawing for a chance to win a $100 StubHub gift card!

Next Diversity Equity Inclusion Peer Group Meeting on October 28



Please join the LWVMA DEI Peer Discussion Group’s next quarterly meeting, which will be held on  Saturday October 28, 2023, 10-11:30 AM on Zoom. Newcomers are always welcome! Read more.

As you know, the League’s work to advance voting rights and break down barriers to the ballot box is year round, not just during an election cycle. LWVMA is in a friendly competition with the state Leagues in Colorado, Maine, Minnesota and New York to see who can sign up the most monthly donors. 

Please consider a recurring, monthly donation to support LWVMA’s vital work all year long.

It’s simple to do - just check off the monthly box HERE. Thank you!

Lotte E. Scharfman Citizen Education Grant Deadline October 16

Did you know that the Lotte E. Scharfman Citizen Education Grant Program can help your League cover costs for voter education programs? A Scharfman grant can help with events around elections, candidate forums, voter guides, issues meetings, and meet-and-greets with legislators. Grants can be written for non-election projects, too! Read more.

Data Collection Reminder



A friendly reminder to please complete and submit the data collection form for each activity, program and event that your local League is involved in. Click HERE for the 2023 form and user guide. Thank you so much for your continuing efforts to help us capture the impact of our collective work!

Membership Dues Structural Changes - Timeline Overview

LWVUS has provided an overview of the timing for implementing the structural changes to membership dues which was approved at the US Convention in 2022. LWVMA will be hosting a Town Hall on the upcoming changes in November – please stay tuned for more details. In the meantime, go to the LWVUS League Management Site for further information. Read more.

LWVUS Program Planning Webinar series

Program Planning years alternate between state and national: In 2024 it will be national’s year. If your local League plans to participate, you may be interested in a series of webinars LWVUS is offering, starting on October 12. For more information and to register click here. 

From the LWVUS Blog:

The Hyde Amendment and its implications for women on Medicaid

The status of Mifepristone in the legal battle over medical abortion

For Treasurers:

Financial controls for small non-profits