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Brookline Commission for Women
Nominations are open for Brookline Women of the Year
This year is a little different (to say the least). Because 2020 was a year like no other, and because women were at the heart of our community’s response to these unprecedented times, this year the BCW will not try to choose just one person to recognize for their significant impact in the community. Later this spring, we will honor up to 5 awesome nominees as our Brookline Women of the Year.
Nominations will be accepted until close of business Friday, March 26, 2021
Access the Nomination Form here: http://bit.ly/BCWNomform
Nomination Criteria:
Nominees must be women, by whom we mean anyone who identifies as female, who made a significant positive impact on the community (or at the state or national level) in 2020
Nominees must currently live or work in Brookline
Nominees may be individuals or a team of women who worked together
Nominees may not be current candidates for townwide elected office in Brookline, current members of the Commission for Women, or past Woman of the Year award recipients (See a list of past recipients here: https://www.brooklinema.gov/730/Programs-Events)
Nominations may not be made by a family member of the nominee(s)
If you have trouble accessing or using the nomination form, please email Liz Stillman at estillman@suffolk.edu.
Commissioners
Rebecca Stone (2021) Chair rstonewalt@gmail.com | ||
Felina Silver Robinson (2021) Vice Chair poetsareangels@mecom | ||
Elizabeth Stillman (2022) Secretary | ||
Carol Caro (2023) carol.b.caro@gmail.com | ||
Lucy Chie (2023) lucy.chie@gmail.com | ||
Meenakshi Garodia (2022) mgarodia@gmail.com | ||
Aileen Lee (2023) aileenleepsyd@gmail.com | ||
Hadassah Margolis (2022) | ||
Nicole McClelland (2023) | ||
Gloria Rudisch (2021) grudisch@brooklinema.gov | ||
Homa Sarabi-Daunais (2022) |
BLACK LIVES MATTER
#SayHerName
Every person of color should be able to walk any street with pride and in comfort, with peace of mind. Free from ridicule and judgement. Kimberlé Crenshaw, who developed and named the idea of “intersectionality," wrote: “If Black lives really do matter, ALL Black lives have to matter. That means Black lives across gender have to be lifted up. #SayHerName is a clarion call, not just a hashtag -- a demand that the stories and perspectives of Black women are included in our demands for justice and accountability.”
Women Who Inspire Us 2020
Congratulation to Brookline’s 2020 Woman of the Year:
KIM KUSHNER
Founder and Director of Brookline Thrives
For more information about Brookline Thrives: http://www.brooklinefoodpantry.org/brookline-thrives.html
Please join the BCW in congratulating the winners of our
“A Woman Who Inspires Me” Essay Contest 2020:
Grades 3–5
1st Place: Sonia Wexler (5th Grade, Heath School)
2nd Place: Lixuan Wang (4th Grade, Runkle School)
3rd Place: Ella Blaser (5th Grade, Driscoll School)
Sp. Mention: Sanami Yukawa (3rd Grade, Lawrence School)
Grades 6–8
1st Place: Adithi Jayashankar (6th Grade, Heath School)
2nd Place: Sylvie Sacks (7th Grade, Baker School)
3rd Place: Ylan Mai Liu (7th Grade, Heath School)
Grades 9-12
1st Place: Gareth Jones (9th Grade, BHS)
2nd Place: Samantha Donahue (11th Grade, BHS)
3rd Place: Caroline Davis (12th Grade, BHS)
Mission:
The mission of the Brookline Commission for Women is to promote equity and justice for all women and girls, including all who identify as female.
Our Core Values:
Gender Justice: We reject patriarchy, transphobia, and homophobia and work to create a world free from misogyny.
Intersectionality: We recognize that race, ethnicity, class/income, and gender intersect to compound discrimination against BIPOC women and girls.
Collaboration: We seek to work with other individuals, committees, and groups in Brookline to address issues of gender inequity.
Transparency: We act with and in front of the public as an essential part of our work.
Determination: We know change will happen only if we consistently name, document, and stand up to inequality, discrimination, and aggression against women and girls.
Our Work:
We advocate on behalf of all women and girls to ensure safety and equal treatment, voice, and participation in Brookline;
We support all women and girls who are struggling and who strive for a better life;
We celebrate the strength, contributions, and diversity of all women and girls.
The BCW meets on the first Wednesday of every month at 7pm at the Brookline Health Department's Library (2nd Floor, 11 Pierce Street, Brookline, MA 02445). Please check the Town calendar for posted meeting dates and times.
Agendas & Minutes
Agendas are available prior to the meetings. Minutes are posted following approval.
Most Recent Agenda | View All Agendas and Minutes
Useful Resources
- Childcare in Brookline March 2019
- Brookline Community Foundation
- Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women
- National Women’s History Project
- Town of Brookline
- Women Thriving: Brookline Thrive Guide
- Brookline Wicked Local: Brookline parents face looming childcare uncertainty, increased pressures at home
- Intimate Partner Violence or Harassment: Brookline Domestic Violence Unit: 617-264-6465 or 617-730-2720 AND Brookline Domestic Violence Advocate (Non-Emergency) 617-730-2713. Visit the website at https://www.brooklinepolice.com/165/Domestic-Violence
- Domestic Violence Roundtable: https://www.brooklinema.gov/DocumentCenter/View/20198/Domestic-Violence-Roundtable-Brochure?bidId=
- Where to find Free Menstrual Health Products: https://www.mmecoalition.com/menstrual-health-resources
Contact Us
See Commission Member emails under names.
Follow Us on Facebook
Join Us at a Monthly Meeting
Interested in the Commission? Have something to share? We meet on the first Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. Until further notice, we will be meeting via Zoom. To receive a Zoom link to attend a meeting, send an email to cstarr@brooklinema.gov
SUBSCRIBE to automatically receive notices of our meetings.
Apply to be a Commissioner
Commissioners must be residents of Brookline age 16 or older. We seek Commissioners who 1) bring diverse perspectives, interests, and life experiences to the Commission, (2) have skills and/or experience related to the mission of the BCW, and (3) want to be active contributors and work as a team to accomplish the goals of the Commission.
Application Forms can be found here: https://www.brooklinema.gov/165/Boards-Commissions
Volunteer
If you are interested in volunteering or working with the Commission for Women click here