MA Women's History Center

MA Women's History Center Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from MA Women's History Center, Nonprofit Organization, Newton, MA.

A nonprofit organization dedicated to telling the inclusive stories of the suffragists and sharing information about the important contributions of and challenges endured by Massachusetts women historically and today.

Happy Birthday, Melnea Cass (1896-1978), the “First Lady of Roxbury!” One of the most influential advocates for Black Bo...
06/16/2026

Happy Birthday, Melnea Cass (1896-1978), the “First Lady of Roxbury!” One of the most influential advocates for Black Bostonians, she began her legacy by helping Black women register to vote after the 19th Amendment was adopted. As president of the local NAACP chapter and the Women’s Service Club, she led protests against segregation in Boston’s schools and spearheaded training programs for domestic workers, successfully advocating for workers' rights legislation. In 1949, Cass co-founded Freedom House, a center of the civil rights movement in Boston, which thrives to this day! Thanks again to Boston Children's Chorus for highlighting Melnea Cass at their April concert at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and for including the in the event! Learn more from her biography on MWHC’s website: https://bit.ly/3FmjU6g

Marie Equi (1872-1952), born in New Bedford, MA, was a suffragist and American medical doctor devoted to providing care ...
06/15/2026

Marie Equi (1872-1952), born in New Bedford, MA, was a suffragist and American medical doctor devoted to providing care to working-class and poor patients and providing birth control and abortions at a time when both were illegal. Equi became active in several movements, including the Progressive suffrage movement in Oregon, and later in labor and anti-capitalist movements. She became quite radical and was jailed more than once for her activism. Equi was one of the few suffragists who lived openly as a le***an, being in long-term relationships with heiress Harriet Speckart and Irish nationalist and journalist Katherine “Kitty” O’Brennan. Learn more about Marie Equi! https://bit.ly/3Qeustg

in 1963, the Equal Pay Act was signed into law by President John F. Kennedy, prohibiting wage discrimination on the ba...
06/10/2026

in 1963, the Equal Pay Act was signed into law by President John F. Kennedy, prohibiting wage discrimination on the basis of s*x. Despite this and many laws adopted since then, the gender pay gap continues today. Learn more about the MA fight for equal pay going back more than a century in MWHC's exhibit: https://bit.ly/4jsOrwV!

06/08/2026

This year's theme for Boston's Pride festivities, which took place downtown June 6, was "Pride as Protest."

Last weekend, the Special Olympics Massachusetts Summer Games took place from June 5 to June 7, with over 1,500 athletes...
06/08/2026

Last weekend, the Special Olympics Massachusetts Summer Games took place from June 5 to June 7, with over 1,500 athletes and 1,000 volunteers for three days of inclusion, sports, and fun at the Harvard University Athletic Complex! Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, inspired by her sister, Rosemary Kennedy, who endured prejudice and stigma due to her intellectual disability. What started as a summer day camp is now the international Special Olympics program! https://bit.ly/3QeZxgv

Happy Pride Month! Historically, LGBTQ+ individuals weren’t allowed to be their authentic selves due to intolerance, big...
06/01/2026

Happy Pride Month! Historically, LGBTQ+ individuals weren’t allowed to be their authentic selves due to intolerance, bigotry, and violence. Thank you to q***r and trans activists who fought for women’s suffrage and continue to fight for voting rights today! Celebrate Pride month at on June 6th with a Festival & Parade 11 am - 6 pm. The Parade starts at 11 am at Copley Square and ends in the Boston Common. At 2 pm at Copley Square, there will be a 21+ block party featuring live music, food trucks, and a beer and wine garden! Come join the celebration!

Watch a GREAT movie, learn incredible history, and honor the women of the SIX TRIPLE EIGHT! Memorial Day has passed, but...
05/27/2026

Watch a GREAT movie, learn incredible history, and honor the women of the SIX TRIPLE EIGHT! Memorial Day has passed, but our recognition continues for the brave women and men who gave their lives to protect and serve the United States. We particularly honor the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion of the Women’s Army Corps (WAAC), a battalion of African American, as well as Hispanic and Caribbean, women led by Captain Charity Adams. Mary McLeod Bethune (founder of our Partner organization, the NCNW) fought for African American women in the WAAC to be treated equally, and pressed the War Department to give African American women the opportunity to serve in a combat theater. Women of color in the military faced terrible discrimination, and many protested. In Ft. Devens, MA: “...Four African American WACs at Fort Devens staged a sit-down strike to protest being assigned menial tasks. A court martial convicted the four soldiers of mutiny, but the charges were later dropped after pressure from African American political leaders and members of Congress…”(https://guides.loc.gov/6888th-central-postal-directory-battalio) In this discriminatory context, the 6888 was formed - 855 African American women - sent to England to resolve an enormous three-year backlog of mail - but instead of resolving the backlog in 6 months as expected, they resolved it in only three months! DON’T MISS THE FABULOUS NETFLIX FILM: The Six Triple Eight, starring Kerry Washington! https://bit.ly/4dy2AJK

in 1881, the American Red Cross, a chapter of the International Federation of Red Cross, was founded by Massachusetts...
05/22/2026

in 1881, the American Red Cross, a chapter of the International Federation of Red Cross, was founded by Massachusetts’ Clara Barton (1821-1912)! Barton earned the nickname “Angel of the Battlefield” after tending to soldiers during the Civil War before expanding her humanitarian aid reach. When visiting Europe, Barton served with the IFRC and returned to the US, creating the U.S. chapter: The American Red Cross, a humanitarian aid relief organization. Barton instituted the first nationwide civilian blood program (1940s), which continues to provide life-saving blood donations today! Barton also spoke at many national suffrage conventions in support of women’s voting rights. https://bit.ly/3LXo1pA

Happy Birthday, Abigail (“Abby”) Williams May (1829-1889), national leader in education reform and a suffragist. She was...
05/22/2026

Happy Birthday, Abigail (“Abby”) Williams May (1829-1889), national leader in education reform and a suffragist. She was co-founder of the New England Women’s Club (1868), and a leader in the New England School Suffrage Society, advocating for women to participate in governing schools. May was one of the first U.S. women elected to office when she won a seat on the Boston School Committee in 1873, but the panel refused to seat her! May and others lobbied successfully, and in 1874, Massachusetts passed a law allowing women to serve on school committees. May was elected again - this time she was allowed to take her seat! https://bit.ly/3H4Bx7X

Yesterday in 1899, Black civil rights leaders Florida Ruffin Ridley (1861-1943) and Mary Evans Wilson (1866-1928) led an...
05/22/2026

Yesterday in 1899, Black civil rights leaders Florida Ruffin Ridley (1861-1943) and Mary Evans Wilson (1866-1928) led an in*******al group of 200 protestors in an anti-lynching demonstration at Chickering Hall in Boston. With rousing speeches, they called out the politicians who failed to defend the rights of Black Americans, and demanded justice with moving speeches. Read about that demonstration and the amazing work of Black women over the centuries to secure freedom and equality: https://bit.ly/3pmaCPj

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Newton, MA
02461

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+16174674920

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