July 19, 2025

In Sisterhood We Brunch   - Roberta’s House, a family grief support center in Baltimore hosts a healing sip and paint event for women impacted by homicide. 

August 2, 2025 

Frederick Women’s Distance Festival 5K: 8:00 am, Fun Run: 7:30am Frederick Community College. Celebrate the 36th year of the Frederick Women's Distance Festival by running, walking, volunteering, donating and/or sponsoring the race!

August 7, 2025

Women Who Mean Business Awards 2025 - This event recognizes female business leaders in the Greater Baltimore area and offers networking opportunities and advice.

2025 Legislative Session Report on Women’s Issues

The Maryland Commission for Women’s 2025 Legislative Session Report on Women's Issues highlights more than 50 bills from this year’s session that impact women and families across Maryland.

From advancing women in the workforce to strengthening the care economy and expanding access to health care, this report spotlights key legislative wins, priority issues, and the policymakers and advocates who made them possible. 

The report also contains a handy list of implementation dates and upcoming reports on women's issues. The final section looks ahead at eight Bills to Watch in 2026. These bills did not cross the finish line in 2025 but will likely return with even more support next year.  

Please read the full report and see how policy is shaping a stronger, more equitable Maryland for women and girls. Read the full report HERE.

Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence has launched a new initiative focused on strengthening the use of Maryland’s Extreme Risk Protective Order (ERPO) law. Working with liaison sites in Frederick, Washington, and Prince George’s Counties, and Baltimore City, the group aims to improve public awareness, streamline the ERPO process, and ensure support for individuals involved. The project, funded by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy, will develop tools and models that other jurisdictions across the state can use to build a stronger, more coordinated gun violence prevention system. The new ERPO program coordinator, Zamaria Bethea, will play a key role in spearheading stakeholder engagement and local implementation efforts.

The fastest girls high school sprinter in Maryland

Elise Cooper is one of the fastest girls in the country, and her NIL deal with Puma is the first for a high school sprinter. On her 18th birthday, the fastest girls high school sprinter in Maryland signed her first name, image and likeness deal with Puma. She became a pro sprinter for one of the world’s biggest sports apparel companies on her first day of legal adulthood. Click here to watch a video about this amazing young woman.

Maria Derisavi, a 22-year-old from St. Mary’s County in Southern Maryland, wins Miss Maryland 2025

On June 21, 2025, she was crowned at the historic Maryland Theater in Hagerstown. As the first Iranian-American and the first St. Mary’s County resident to win the title in the organization’s 104-year history, Derisavi will represent Maryland at the Miss America competition in September 2025 in Orlando, Florida. To read more, click here.

Angel Reese Says the ‘Little Girl’ in Her Is ‘Proud’ as She Lands First NBA 2K26 WNBA Edition Cover (Exclusive)

Maryland native and Chicago Sky star Angel Reese is featured on the cover of NBA 2K26’s WNBA Edition, calling the moment “historic.” At just 23, the two-time All-Star continues to break barriers and inspire young women, proudly stating, “The little girl in me is proud.” The game launches this September. Read more HERE

We are thrilled to announce that Alana Brown will be the new Executive Director for Court Watch Montgomery!

Alana has more than ten years experience advocating for survivors of domestic violence as a non-profit founder, executive and practicing attorney. She was recognized as a Washingtonian of the Year in 2022 and named a National Bar Association "40 Under 40." She is the founder and former executive director of The Safe Sisters Circle, a DC-based nonprofit that has now provided hundreds of Black women survivors with legal and trauma-informed counseling services. We are confident that Alana will bring the same passion and expertise to further the mission of Court Watch Montgomery.

MD Commission Plans for 2026

On June 26, the Maryland Commission for Women met in Annapolis to plan for the upcoming fiscal year.

The next year’s priorities include fulfilling the OTC Collaborative legislative mandate with a report due in December, assessing the impact of federal changes on women in Maryland, strengthening partnerships statewide, and advancing policy work focused on women’s health, workforce participation, and the care economy.

The publications we expect to produce this year are:

• 2025 Annual Report
• Status of Women In Maryland: Justice-Impacted Women Update
• Over The Counter Birth Control Collaborative Report
• Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame in partnership with Md state archives
• 2026 Legislative Session Women’s Issues Report

The Commission will also host several public events this year including our 60th Anniversary Party, a convening for County/Local Commissions chairs after the MLAW Conference in November, a Town Hall on Women's Issues, and the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. With policy, outreach, and publications work all moving forward, FY2026 promises to be a productive and impactful year for the Commission.

Campus Contraception Convening

On June 24th, MCW Executive Director  Ariana Kelly and Program Manager Brett Jordan joined “Helping Maryland Colleges Expand OTC Contraception Access,” an event hosted by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), the American Society for Emergency Contraception (ASEC), and the Maryland Department of Health. The event brought together experts and campus representatives from across the state to provide support for universities and community colleges as they build out improved OTC contraceptive access on campuses. Ariana spoke about her work in the General Assembly as the sponsor of the bills that created these programs, giving context to the requirements and a deeper understanding of why OTC access is vital. Ariana and Brett will continue to work with campuses on improving OTC access, as a part of the Commission’s overall OTC contraceptive access work. Featured in the photo: Robyn Elliott (Public Policy Partners), Ariana Kelly (Executive Director of MCW), Jakeya Johnson (Executive Director of RJM), and Emily Dow (Assistant Secretary of Academic Affairs, MHEC).

MCW 60TH ANNIVERSARY

The Maryland Commission for Women will be celebrating our 60th anniversary all year!

On July 22, 1965 Governor Millard Tawes established the Commission with attorney and feminist Jeannette Wolman as Chair. Learn more about Chair Wolman in her Maryland Women's Hall of Fame biography. As the Commission has evolved, advancing economic opportunity and social and political rights and well-being of women and girls across Maryland remains central to our work. 

Women's Baseball Team in Baltimore

The Charm City Lemon Sticks are new as of 2025 and are now one of the two Maryland teams in the Eastern Women's Conference. The other Maryland team is the Baltimore Blues.  Click here to watch video. 

RJM - PINK PANTRY

Reproductive Justice Maryland hosted a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of their third and newest Little Pink Pantry in Greenbelt at The Space Free Art for All.

This pantry provides free period products and safer sex supplies, by and for the community!

To support the Little Pink Pantry Project or to bring a pantry to your neighborhood, reach out to RJM!

D.C. Divas Football 

The organization not only helps women improve their physical and mental health, but it shows that life lessons can also be taught. It provides a powerful impact on the next generation of young women and girls. This successful team won three National Championships! They made history on the high school football level as well with the first female Head Coach in the country, and a number of other players who have now gone on to become coaches and administrators. To learn more read HERE.

Donald Trump's megabill could mean closure for a third of Planned Parenthood clinics

Planned Parenthood is suing to block a new rule in President Trump’s recent law that stops clinics offering abortions from receiving Medicaid funds for other health services for one year. While federal funds have long been barred from paying for most abortions, this rule cuts funding for other important care those clinics provide. To read more, click here.

Governor Moore Unveils Historical Marker Honoring Life and Legacy of Maryland Native Harriet Tubman

Governor Wes Moore today unveiled a new roadside historical marker on Maryland’s Eastern Shore honoring Harriet Tubman. Located just three miles from her birthplace, the marker highlights Tubman’s early life, her deep ties to family and community, and her legacy as a courageous abolitionist and leader of the Underground Railroad. Left to right: Governor Wes Moore, Tina Wyatt, great-great-great grand niece of Harriet Tubman, Tonet Cuffee, great-great-great grand niece of Harriet Tubman. To read more, click here.

Free to roam: Following in the footsteps of a legend along Maryland’s Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway

When Rekaya Gibson joined a friend’s personal tour of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway, she didn’t expect the deep emotions that would come with retracing the steps of this iconic abolitionist. Over eight hours long and covering 36 historic sites across Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Rekaya visited the Harriet Tubman Museum, viewed powerful murals, and reflected on Tubman’s incredible courage and faith. To read more, click here.

Historical Documentary of Morgan State University Earns Emmy Award

Morgan State University won its first Emmy Award for the documentary “History of a National Treasure,” which highlights the University’s history and Black American stories. Produced by the Center for New Media and Strategic Initiatives, the film won in the Documentary/Historical category at the 67th National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter Emmy Awards. To read more, click here.