October 4, 2025 

The Women Moving Forward Conference - A Collaborative Re-entry Program for Women at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women. The goal of the annual conference is to provide approximately 150 women who are within 6 to 9 months of release with resources and information necessary to support their successful return to the community.

October 5, 2025 

The Foundation for the Maryland Commission for Women - 60 Years of Advancing Women's Rights in Maryland - MCW proudly celebrates its 60th anniversary, honoring six decades of advocacy, research, and progress in advancing the rights and opportunities of women and girls across the state.

October 16, 2025 

Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore - Ladies Night Out! Spotlight on Breast Cancer Prevention. Join In and Discover the Latest in Breast Cancer Prevention. Be part of an inspiring evening focused on the latest advancements in breast cancer risk assessment, early detection, treatment, and reconstruction.

October 21, 2025 

JCADA's 25th Anniversary - Honor JCADA’s legacy of service and celebrate a future of continued growth and community support. JCADA works to empower survivors and end intimate partner violence.

October 23, 2025 

MNADV’s - Annual Award Recipients - Join them as they celebrate the incredible individuals and organizations making a difference in the lives of survivors of intimate partner violence across Maryland.

SheRises Mommy Closet

SheRises, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping young families in DMV communities through mentorship and support services. Every 4th Saturday, SheRises hosts a Mommy Closet open to moms of all ages. Registered attendees can receive diapers and wipes, baby formula, breastfeeding supplies, and other baby essentials. The Mommy Closet is now open to mothers of all ages! For more information, click here.

Meet Alex Velasquez, Program Intern 

My name is Alex Mayen Velasquez, I am a student at Howard Community College where I’m pursuing an Associates degree in Social Sciences. I am going to transfer to a Maryland university this fall to study Public Policy.

I hope to become a public interest lawyer and previously interned in the Maryland Public Defender's Office where I supported attorneys and gained insight into the challenges that underserved communities face in our justice system.

I’m passionate about gender equity and advocacy, especially as it relates to Hispanic women and families. Through this internship I am excited to learn how to address issues that women in our communities face and to research and support initiatives that strengthen opportunities for women in Maryland!

Maryland Women's Hall of Fame Nominations

The Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame is evolving to increase our inclusivity and better reflect the rich diversity of women who have shaped our state’s history. This year, the nomination process for the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame is being revamped to be more accessible, with a special focus on women throughout Maryland history. We will be honoring women whose legacies have left a lasting impact but who have not yet been celebrated in the Hall of Fame.

In alignment with Governor Moore's Executive Order encouraging an inclusive celebration of the United State's 250th Anniversary, we will be highlighting the untold stories of Maryland women throughout history. The Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame will continue to celebrate the achievements of women whose courage, leadership, and vision have helped shape our state, the county and the world.

The MCW's subcommittee on women's history will review nominations carefully, using an updated nomination form and outreach strategy to spotlight trailblazing women from all backgrounds working in diverse fields. We will be prioritizing inducting women from throughout history, but will also accept nominations from women who are still achieving today. If there is an historical Maryland woman in your field who has inspired you, please consider nominating her.  Nominations will open in October, and we encourage organizations, historians, and community members to submit candidates who deserve recognition. 

We will be accepting nominations of Maryland women throughout history who have made significant contributions in the following areas:

• Arts & Culture
• Business
• Civil Rights & Social Justice
• Communications
• Community Service
• Education, Research & Academia
• Government
• Health
• Law
• Science and Technology
• Sports
• Women's Rights

If you know of a Maryland woman in history whose contributions have not yet been recognized in the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame, we want to hear about her! Together, we can ensure that Maryland’s history reflects the full span of women who have made it extraordinary.

Meet Brenda Brown Rever

Brenda Brown Rever has dedicated her life to empowering women and preserving their stories. A University of Maryland graduate and former trustee, she founded CHANA, Baltimore’s first kosher safe house for abused Jewish women, and the Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women. Brenda has also been a leader in several Jewish organizations and was inducted into the Jewish Hall of Fame. She’s received numerous honors, including the Hannah G. Solomon and Golda Meir Awards.

Meet Fiona Oliphant 

Fiona is co-founder of Healing Equity United, driven by her mission to center marginalized communities and promote racial equity. With nearly 20 years in the domestic and sexual violence sector, she specializes in cultural humility, anti-oppression, and equitable access to services. Fiona holds degrees from Wellesley College, The Fletcher School, and Brooklyn Law School. She currently serves as Board President of the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence and has held leadership roles with multiple advocacy organizations. Fiona is a first-generation Jamaican-American, mother, and passionate advocate for social justice.

Meet Gabriela Lemus 

Dr. Gabriela Lemus is the founding Executive Director of Maryland Latinos Unidos (MLU) and a longtime advocate for the Latine community. She co-founded the Latino Health Equity Alliance to address health disparities and has over 25 years of experience in policy, civic engagement, and nonprofit leadership. She also serves on the Montgomery County Commission on Health and the board of the National Institute for Reproductive Health. In 2025, she was named one of The Daily Record’s Influential Marylanders for Civic Leadership.

Meet Michelle Siri 

Michelle Siri is the Executive Director of the Maryland Legal Services Corporation, the state’s largest funder of civil legal aid. A law graduate of the University of Maryland, she previously led the Women’s Law Center for nine years. She co-founded The Riveters, Maryland’s first law club for women, and has served on several nonprofit and legal boards. A recipient of multiple leadership awards, she lives in Baltimore County with her family and enjoys running, baking, and live music.

Meet Joyce King 

Joyce Roldan King is Chief Counsel at the Frederick County State’s Attorney’s Office, where she leads operations and prosecutes cybercrimes and child exploitation cases. Cross-designated as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, she also co-chairs key state committees on human trafficking and special victims. She serves on the boards of the National District Attorneys Association and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Joyce is also President of the Phoenix Foundation of Maryland and founder of Project Ligtas Bata, an international campaign against child exploitation.

Senator Alsobrooks Introduces U-FIGHT Act to Advance Uterine Fibroid Research, Early Detection, and Equitable Care

Senator Alsobrooks has introduced the Uterine Fibroid Intervention and Gynecological Health Treatment (U-FIGHT) Act as the companion bill to legislation that Congresswomen Shontel Brown (Ohio – 11) and Yvette D. Clark (N.Y. – 09) introduced in the House. Fibroids affect up to 80% of women at some point in their lives, inflicting physical pain and leading to complications such as infertility, yet only .03% of all research funding is dedicated to fibroid research. The U-FIGHT Act will:

• Expand access to early screening, detection, and intervention methods for individuals diagnosed with uterine fibroids.
• Direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to support research on early detection and intervention strategies for uterine fibroids and to develop evidence-based tools for implementation in clinical settings.
• Authorize grant funding for states to establish screening programs, patient navigation services, and public awareness campaigns focused on fibroid detection.
• Prioritize programs in underserved communities and authorize funding for research on disparities in pain management, as well as conditions like Asherman’s syndrome and intrauterine adhesions that may arise from fibroid-related surgeries. 

In Memory of Former Delegate C. Sue Hecht

The Maryland Commission for Women mourns the loss of former Delegate C. Sue Hecht, who passed away on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. Delegate Hecht represented Frederick County in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1995–2003 and again from 2007–2011. Throughout her years of public service, she was a dedicated advocate for women and families, and a steadfast supporter of the Maryland Commission for Women. Her leadership and commitment to equity made a lasting impact on our state. We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and community as we honor her remarkable legacy.

New Mexico will be the first state to make child care free

Starting this November, New Mexico will become the first state in the nation to offer free universal child care to all residents, regardless of income. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the removal of income eligibility requirements and family copayments from the state’s child care assistance program, which could save families up to $12,000 per child annually. Since 2019, New Mexico has been expanding access to child care with a budget nearing $1 billion, partly funded by a large oil and gas tax revenue fund. The initiative also includes investments in expanding child care facilities, raising staff wages, and launching recruitment efforts. To read more, click here.  

30 years of advancing gender equality: Achievements, setbacks, and the road ahead

As the world marks the anniversary of the 1995 Beijing Declaration on Gender Equality, a new UN report warns that progress toward gender equality is far from on track. The 2025 Gender Snapshot reveals alarming setbacks: 10% of women live in extreme poverty, 351 million could remain impoverished by 2030, and 708 million women are excluded from the labor market due to unpaid care work. Violence against women remains pervasive, with one in three experiencing physical or sexual violence, and many living near conflict zones. Meanwhile, gains in women’s rights face threats from shrinking civic spaces and backlash in some regions. To read more, click here. 

Enrollment for child care scholarships still closed, unclear when it might reopen

When the Maryland State Department of Education froze enrollment in the Child Care Scholarship Program in May, officials hoped to reopen applications by September. Now, as October nears, the freeze remains, with no clear timeline for resuming enrollment, leaving thousands of families and child care providers in uncertainty. More than 2,000 families are on the waiting list, and many providers are feeling the strain. Carolina Reyes, director of Arco Iris Bilingual Children’s Center in Prince George’s County, says over half her students rely on the scholarship. Without it, some centers fear closure, and staff hours are already being cut. To read more, click here.

‘We’ve made our statement’: Maryland woman shares experience winning boys soccer title at Blair HS

Allie Coyle made history last year as the first woman to coach a boys soccer team to a Maryland state title, leading Blair High School to a 4A championship victory. Initially coaching girls’ soccer, she was asked to lead a boys youth team and quickly became deeply involved, eventually taking over Blair’s varsity boys program in 2022. Despite facing skepticism from some parents and rival coaches due to her age and gender, Coyle earned strong support from her players and staff, building a disciplined, close-knit team. The 2024 season was a high point, with the Blazers finishing 17-3-4 and capturing their first state title since 1975. To read more, click here.