FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2005
Contact: Gloria Gavris
617-480-3646

Swiston Speaks on the Status of Women in MA

At 7:30A, Friday morning, Greer Tan Swiston was on the road driving towards Brockton and the Massasoit College campus to give a presentation in her newest capacity as a commissioner on the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, appointed by Governor Romney and Lt. Governor Healey.

"Women make-up over 50% of the population in Massachusetts , yet the decision-makers of our State are over 75% men." Swiston noted, to a room that was a diverse collection of women and elected officials including one man. "So, it stands to reason that the status of women may require additional examination and consideration, at least until representation better reflects population."

In 1998, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women ( http://www.mass.gov/women ) was formed by Governor Weld, precisely for that purpose. More specifically, in 2004 a study was done by the Commission to highlight the impact that budget cuts have had from the perspective of the women in Massachusetts .

Kathleen Casavant, Chair of the MA Commission on the Status of Women, gave the opening remarks and presented the overview of the findings, which emphasized the disproportionate impact, the budget cuts had on programs that affected women and girls.

"Although higher education is not generally considered a 'women's issue'" read one slide. "The fact that women represent [over 60%] of the students in Massachusetts ' public colleges and universities makes it one." Therefore the cuts to state aid, funding for state colleges and community colleges ultimately hurts the ability for women to pursue higher education, which ultimately translates to their ability to earn money and be self-sufficient.

While the Commission is actively advocating for restoration of the budget cuts, Swiston offers another perspective. "We need to take a look at what we can do to help empower women and girls to be less dependent on the state." Swiston said. "As long as the well being of women and girls continue to be dependent on state funded programs, then future budget cuts or budget fluctuations will continue to have a more significant impact to their lives. I don't believe that women are that helpless.