Massachusetts Women Of Color Coalition

10/25/2025

We are still in awe of the experience at our black tie gala on October 4th. We celebrated ten years of impact, resilience, and transforming lives. We honored change makers during the night including Karen Holmes Ward and more! Here’s to ten more years and raising $15 million dollars in that time to support women of color!

Bay State Bank YMCA of Central Massachusetts M&M Elite Events Mass NOW Worcester State University MA Women's History Center MassVOTE Eastern Bank WCVB Channel 5 Boston Eastern Bank Senator Robyn Kennedy Jeneé Osterheldt

10/25/2025

Three saturdays ago we celebrated our legislative breakfast with public officials, panelists, and more! Emceed by Jacquetta Van Zandt with panels discussing issues facing communities all around the commonwealth.

Bay State Bank YMCA of Central Massachusetts Mass NOW Worcester State University MA Women's History Center MassVOTE Eastern Bank

Politics and Prosecco

10/24/2025

Three weeks ago today we were just kicking off our wonderful weekend full of celebrating women of color and MAWOCC’s impact over the past ten years! The opening reception was full of great guests, speakers, and our wonderful emcee Antoinette Antonio .

Bay State Bank YMCA of Central Massachusetts M&M Elite Events Mass NOW Worcester State University MA Women's History Center MassVOTE Eastern Bank PLC.

10/22/2025

We are still reeling with excitement over our recent 10th Anniversary Gala! Three weeks ago we celebrated a decade of resilience, impact, and transforming lives with a weekend of fun! We’d like to take a moment to thank those who made it all possible! These amazing companies supported us throughout the Gala and helped make the weekend one to remember!

Bay State Bank Digital Federal Credit Union Turco Legal, PC YMCA of Central Massachusetts
M&M Elite Events s Mass NOW Fontaine Bros Worcester State University
MA Women's History Center MassVOTE Eastern Bank Digital Federal Credit Union Turco Legal, PC

10/20/2025

175 Years Later—Still Making History

Celia Johnston Blue, President & CEO of MAWOCC, will take the stage as a featured speaker at the 175th Anniversary Celebration of the first National Women’s Rights Convention—a landmark event that forever changed the course of history.

📍 Mechanics Hall, Worcester, MA
🗓 October 22–23, 2025

Hosted by the Museum of Worcester and Worcester Women's History Project (WWHP), and proudly supported by MAWOCC as a partner organization, this powerful two-day gathering themed “Past. Present. Powerful.” honors generations of women who shaped our democracy—and those continuing the fight for equity today.

Celia joins an inspiring lineup of speakers including Deja Foxx, Fredie Kay, John Kowal, Esq., and Dr. Lauran Star.

🎟️ Purchase your ticket now: https://mechanicshall.org/event/nwrc175/ -tickets

Let’s honor the past, lead in the present, and empower the future—together.

10/15/2025

Our President & CEO, Celia Johnston Blue, is LIVE now on 90.7 FM WTCC – Community Conversations - T Darling & Drew Keaton ( Springfield Technical Community College Radio show)!

Tune in now -

WTCC FM 90.7 is a 4000-watt community radio station broadcasting from the campus of Springfield Technical Community College in Springfield, Massachusetts.

10/07/2025

✨ 💜💜💜What a weekend. What a vibe. What a moment. ✨💜💜💜

The MAWOCC 10th Year Anniversary Black Tie Gala was a night to remember — elegant, empowering, and full of joy.

We came together to celebrate a decade of service, leadership, and legacy while honoring the phenomenal women and partners who continue to move our mission forward.

A heartfelt thank you to our distinguished speakers for the evening:

Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos, State of Rhode Island

Celia Johnston, President & CEO, Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition

Jenee Osterheldt, A Beautiful Resistance, The Boston Globe (Keynote Speaker)

Karen Holmes Ward, Executive Producer of CityLine and Director of Public Affairs, WCVB-Channel 5

And congratulations to our incredible honorees:

Betty Francisco – Economic Power & Sustainability Leadership Award

Nancy Huntington Stager – Legacy of Philanthropic Leadership Award

Senator Robyn Kennedy – Game Changer Award

John & Jeanne Esler, Esler Family Foundation – Game Changer Award

Melissa Ferretti , Golden Dragonfly & Chairwoman of the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe – Advocacy Leadership Award

Karen Holmes Ward – President’s Public Service Champion Award

The room was filled with brilliance, laughter, and gratitude — a reflection of 10 years of impact and the community that made it possible.

To everyone who attended, sponsored, and celebrated with us — thank you for making this milestone so extraordinary.
Here’s to the next decade of building legacy, leadership, and change. 🖤✨

10/07/2025

10/05/2025

Part 2

10/04/2025

MAWOCC 10th Anniversary Gala Weekend- Black Tie Gala🥳🥳🥳😒

10/04/2025

1 hour until the gowns, tuxes, cameras, and red carpet! We can't wait to see you dressed in your best and strutting down the red carpet!



Politics and Prosecco Antoinette Antonio Brittany Johnson WCVB Channel 5 Boston Center for Women & Enterprise
Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe Asian-American Women's Political Initiative (AAWPI) We Are ALX Massachusetts Voter Table
Center for Women in Politics & Public Policy YW Boston Mass NOW Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus League of Women Voters of Massachusetts Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women Psi Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Massachusetts Education Justice Alliance Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc
Black Business and Professional Association