How to Testify

Sharing your thoughts and experiences to impact legislation that changes the lives of women in the Commonwealth. Your perspective helps MCSW make decisions in the public interest. 

YOU can participate in making suggestions for change—be a part of it! 

The MCSW Needs your Voice

The purpose of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women is to advance women and girls toward full equity in all areas of life and to promote rights and opportunities for all women and girls. 

The organization is responsible for studying, reviewing and reporting on the status of women in the Commonwealth, and is charged with advising executive and legislative bodies on the effect of proposed legislation on women. 

To that end, the Commission conducts regional public hearings across the state to collect testimony and opinions on women’s issues and concerns. The Commission represents and recognizes all women, regardless of their age, race, color, creed, abilities, language, socio-economic status, immigration status, sexual orientation, or gender identity at birth. 

Share Your Testimony

But we can’t do this work without you. The MCSW seeks your input as we work toward advancing the status of women, children, and families across the Commonwealth. 

If you have an issue that affects girls, women, and families in Massachusetts, you can bring it to the attention of the MCSW through public testimony. You can testify orally or submit written testimony to the MCSW.  

The MCSW uses the information gathered during public hearings to shape and influence its programs and policy work as well as inform annual recommendations submitted to the legislature. 

What Is Testimony? 

Testifying means sharing your opinion on an issue, which you can do orally at a public hearing or through writing anytime at, during, or after an event. Whether giving testimony in person or in writing, testimony should be brief and take around three to five minutes.

In your testimony, be sure to include the following:  

• Identify yourself. By telling the audience who you are, you can indicate how the issue you’re going to speak on affects you. 

• Identify the issue you’d like to address. Why is it important?  You can do this by sharing a story—your own, another person's (with permission or anonymously) or the overall situation.

• Use data. Support your opinion with a few key points by sharing factual evidence, like statistics or other information that illustrates the situation. If you don't have any, that's okay, too.

• Offer solutions if you are aware of any. Have there been solutions that were implemented elsewhere that could apply to this problem? Is there a bill you’d like to support, or call to action that can be amplified? 

• Be authentic, assertive, and open.

To participate or attend one of our public hearings, click on the “Events” tab for information on upcoming hearings.  

To email us written testimony or to learn more, contact mcsw@mass.gov.