Cambridge Women’s Commission

The Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women, known as the Women’s Commission, works to advance women and girls across economic, social, political and educational life in the city. It advocates by engaging city departments, officials and organizations to address systemic barriers, developing policy recommendations and new programs, and raising public awareness of issues affecting women and girls. Its support extends to everyone who identifies as a woman, including transgender, gender-fluid and non-binary people.

Current projects include a Gender Equity Inquiry examining how city departments and programs address gender equity, and a coalition of businesses, schools, police, faith communities and survivor-led groups working to prevent commercial sexual exploitation in Cambridge. The commission also co-hosts Women’s Entrepreneurship Network meetups with the city’s economic development division and publishes Mapping Feminist Cambridge, a story map of the city’s feminist history.

What to Know

• The commission maintains a Women’s Heritage Project database.
• It began an open forum for city employees during the pandemic that has grown to more than 100 participants.
• Training businesses and schools to recognize and respond to trafficking is among the coalition’s priorities.
• It stands with women and girls regardless of immigration status, race, religion or ability.