Honoring Black History Month
From the Desk of the
MCSW Vice-Chair
Dr. Aisha E. Miller
Dear Colleagues:
This month marks the beginning of Black History Month (BHM), a time for reflection, recognition, and celebration of African Americans’ historical and contemporary experiences in the United States. As the current Vice-Chair of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW), and a Black woman living and working in Massachusetts, I reflect on Black History Month and the importance of lessons learned and how it has shaped our collective future. There is value in learning from our history of slavery and discrimination, bringing injustices to light in the present, and using our shared knowledge and experiences to build a brighter future.
That is why I commit to using my voice daily to make a difference. As an MCSW commissioner appointed by the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators in 2021, we work collaboratively across the state to ensure that all women and girls in the Commonwealth have fundamental freedoms and basic human rights that provide the full enjoyment of life.
I am passionate about building off the legacy of those that paved the way for me, such as Senator Dianne Wilkerson, Rep. Shirley Owens-Hicks, Rtd., Dr. Jackie Jenkins-Scott, Past Immediate MCSW Chair Denella Clark, Colette Phillips, and countless others who have designed a path to greatness.
This path has provided tools and resources for the next generation of leaders to thrive.
As the Vice President of Related Beal, and the former Chief of Civic Engagement for the City of Boston, under former Mayor Martin J. Walsh, United States Labor Secretary, I understand the intersectional threads that comprise our lives together in the community.
The pay for Black women today is just 67 cents for each dollar white men earn in the same jobs — far below even the 83 cents white women make. Massachusetts has tackled equal pay disparities, but we still have a way to go.
Affordable housing, equitable pay, and promoting civic leadership and engagement are vital priorities for the MCSW and myself at the dawn of a new legislative session under new leadership. It is a unique opportunity to bring change, and it will take every one of us.
Register a young person in your life (ages 14-22) for our Girls Empowerment and Leadership Initiative (GELI) – pre-registration open today – or take a moment to purchase a ticket for our upcoming 25th-anniversary gala in June if you are looking for inspiration and sisterhood.
You don’t have to be Black to celebrate BHM and embrace the impact Black leaders and organizers have had on people’s daily lives, protections, and rights, regardless of color, race, culture, or gender assigned at birth.
Together we can reflect, celebrate, and, most of all, take action.
Dr. Aisha E. Miller
MCSW Vice-Chair