May Women's Monthly Newsletter is here....

Maryland Department of Human Services sent this bulletin at 05/15/2025 01:58 PM EDT

May 15, 2025

Virtual Happy Hour Session Wrap Up - MLAW - Attendees are invited to grab their favorite beverage and toast the successes of 2025. The event will include a report on each bill from the 2025 Agenda, along with an update on what’s next for the legislation.

June 5, 2025

Maryland Child Trafficking Awareness Conference -

Governor's Office on Crime Prevention and Policy and the Maryland Human Trafficking Task Force - Join a space where people can talk, learn, and connect, helping each other turn challenges into opportunities through teamwork that moves communities forward.

June 7, 2025

2025 Annual State Conference - Maryland NOW - At their conference business session, they'll be voting on proposed changes to their bylaws. These updates won't change the structure of Maryland NOW.

June 19, 2025

TopGolf Event - House of Ruth - Be part of a day filled with fun and networking, all while raising essential funds to support victims of intimate partner violence. As the title sponsor, UA Local 486 leads the way in supporting this important cause.

This year, the Maryland General Assembly passed more than 50 pieces of legislation that could be considered "women's issues." These include bills related to economic opportunity, gender based violence, child care, women's health and more. Below are a few photos from recent bill signings. In our June newsletter we will share our "Maryland Comission For Women 2025 Legislative Session Report on Women's Issues." This report will summarize all the women's issues bills that passed in 2025 as well as some of the legislation that - while it did not pass- will likely be coming back in 2026. If you have worked on legislation you would like included, please contact Genesis.Franco@Maryland.Gov

OTC Birth Control Access Bill Signing

On May 6, Governor Moore signed legislation sponsored by Senator Shelly Hettleman and Delegate Joseline Pena-Melnyk requiring the Commission for Women to establish a collaborative effort to ensure Maryland women can access FDA approved birth control over-the-counter at no cost.

This photo includes the Commissioners, staff and the advocates and allies who made this possible. Our partners in this effort include the Women Legislators of Maryland, Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women, Reproductive Justice Maryland, and the Department of Human Services.

Helping Divorcing Families Stay in their Homes

Senate Bill 689 sponsored by Senator Dawn Gile will protect divorcing families from rising mortgage interest rates. It ensures a qualifying spouse going through a divorce can assume the family’s existing mortgage, rather than being forced to refinance into today's higher interest rates. To read more about this important bill, click here.

The Maryland Commission for Women met with County Commission Chairs!

On May 1, Commission Chair Dr. LaShaune Stitt, First Vice Chair Pat Lambert, and Second Vice Chair Christine Lee invited the Chairs of the 17 County/City Commissions for Women across Maryland to an informal meeting to discuss our common goals and make connections across the state.

The Maryland Commission for Women is committed to providing space and opportunity for County and City Commissions to identify common priorities and learn from each other. Several County Commissions are working on financial literacy and mentorship efforts. Others are working on caregiving and child care. Some provide scholarships and awards. All of them work on important projects to empower women at the County and Local level.

Baltimore City Commission for Women is planning a "State of the Womb" event in the fall about Black women's maternal health.
Wicomico County Commission is opening a Pink Pantry for menstrual hygiene products in Salisbury.
Anne Arundel County's "Journey to Success" program exposes students to different careers and is accepting volunteers.
Calvert County maintains a clothing closet and supports resume writing and interview workshops for women.
Garrett County recently conducted a survey of 200 women about the issues that impact them. The survey found 144 women prioritized affordable childcare as a pressing need.

This is just a sampling of the many projects the Commissions for Women across the state have been working on. Many County Commissioners are recruiting future Commissioners and volunteers. Maryland Commission for Women Management Associate Genesis Franco is the point person for all County and City Commissions for Women in Maryland. She can be reached at Genesis.Franco@Maryland.Gov

Women's Rights Events in May!

Congratulations to all the women's rights groups that held successful events in May. Here are some photos from just a few of them!

Jewish Perspectives on Reproductive Rights

Commission for Women Executive Director Ariana Kelly, Senator Sara Love, Delegate Lesley Lopez, and Allison Tombros Korman, Founder and Executive Director of The Red Tent Fund, spoke at an event at Temple Beth Ami in Montgomery County. They discussed Maryland's role in reproductive rights, recent legislation, and the challenges that lie ahead.

Congratulations to RJ Maryland on Their 2nd Anniversary Event!

Ariana Kelly and MCW Staff joined Executive Director Jakeya Johnson, Founder/Deputy Director Sharon Blugis, and Board Members of Reproductive Justice Maryland at A Royal Tea Affair.

This event honored Speaker Adrienne Jones for her leadership sponsoring Question 1 adding abortion rights to the Maryland Constitution.

Night of the Advocate - Women's Law Center of Maryland

WLC Executive Director Katie Curran O'Malley celebrated with Commission for Women Policy Chair Monica Watkins, Commission Chair LaSahune Stitt, and ED Ariana Kelly. The MCW and WLC have partnered for decades to advance women's rights in Maryland!

Executive Alliance Mentoring Event

Commission for Women Executive Director Ariana Kelly joined Executive Alliance for their 2025 "In The Room Mentoring Event" in Pikesville. This was an extraordinary event where professional women could share advice and learn from each other.

Executive Alliance's Effective Impact Mentoring Program applications are open now. Learn more HERE.

2025 Daily Record TOP 100 Women

Congratulations to the Daily Record's top 100 Women for 2025. This year's event honored Emerge Maryland co-founder and political communications consultant Martha McKenna, Erin Moran from the Nancy Grasmick Leadership Institute at Towson University, St. Mary's States Attorney Jaymi Sterling and more! Read the whole list of Honorees HERE

Welcome Our New Program Manager!

The Commission for Women is excited to welcome Brett Jordan as our new Program Manager. Brett will be leading our new over-the-counter birth control access project and managing the 2026 Maryland Women's Hall of Fame programming.

A Boston native, Brett has lived in her adoptive state of Maryland for nearly six years. She holds a Bachelors degree in Political Science from Washington University in St. Louis and a Master of Public Policy degree from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University.

Prior to coming to the Commission, Brett spent seven years in Planned Parenthood organizations, and she has experience working with state politics and health insurance issues in Massachusetts and New York. Brett is thrilled to be joining the Commission and contributing to its vital work!

Delegate Susan Krebs Woman of the Year Brunch.

Congratulations to Former Delegate Susan Krebs!

Delegate Krebs was honored by the Republican Women’s Club of Carroll County at their first annual Woman of the Year Brunch.

Delegate Krebs represented Carroll County in the Maryland General Assembly for 20 years, from 2003 to 2023.

She served on the House Economic Matters Committee and Health and Government and Operations Committee, as well as the Joint Committee on Children, Youth and Families, where she focused on child care access. Learn more about her impressive service here.

The Return of the Guerrilla Girls, Who Never Really Left

When it comes to feminist art, the Guerrilla Girls stand out as one of the most influential collectives. Since 1985, this group of anonymous artists has used bold, text-driven prints to challenge discrimination and push for greater inclusivity in the art world. To read more in The Washington Post, click here.

A cash bonus for having a baby? Trump is considering it.

The Trump administration has been considering ideas to encourage marriage and childbearing in the U.S. Proposals include offering Fulbright scholarships to married individuals, among others. While budget constraints may limit some proposals, Trump has expressed support for a “baby bonus,” such as a $5,000 payment to mothers after childbirth, a plan he endorsed at the 2023 Conservative Political Action Conference. To read more in Vox, click here.

She wanted to freeze her eggs. She passed a law to make it accessible.

Wanika Fisher experienced the challenges women of color face in accessing affordable reproductive care. This led her to make history by making Maryland the first state in the nation to require health insurance plans to include infertility coverage. To read more in the Washington Post, click here.

Via email, Trump fires head of Library of Congress

President Donald Trump fired Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden via email, a decision that quickly sparked strong criticism from her supporters. Nominated by President Barack Obama in 2016 and confirmed by the Senate in 2017, Hayden made history as the first woman and the first Black American to lead the Library of Congress. To read more in USA Today, click here.

Maryland state-funded child care program freezes enrollment amid soaring demand

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has announced an enrollment freeze for the Child Care Scholarship Program (CCS), which serves tens of thousands of students across the state. To read more on WJLA.com click here.

Moore signs law to fund Abortion care for uninsured patients

Governor Wes Moore reaffirmed Maryland's commitment to protecting abortion access, declaring the state a safe haven for reproductive rights. A new Maryland law unlocks $25M to reimburse abortion providers for care given to uninsured and underinsured patients. To read more in The Daily Record, click here.

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