Return to Table of ContentsMay 1998
In Depth With
The Center for Women in Politics and Public PolicyIt's hard to think of a woman political leader in Massachusetts who hasn't interacted with the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy.
Governor hopeful Patricia McGovern participated in the March 27 Gubernatorial Candidates Forum. Judith Robbins, mayor of Attleboro, is on the Center's advisory board. State Representative Charlotte Golar-Richie was a panelist in the Oct. conference "Women Shaping Public Policy: Past and Present."
"The women who have been in the forefront of public leadership in Massachusetts have a connection with our center," said Dr. Elizabeth Sherman, Center director and senior fellow at the McCormack Institute.
Founded four years ago, the Center has solidified its presence as a leader and, as Sherman puts it, "amplified the voice of women" through three main components: a graduate certificate program, a political network and a growing research center.
The Center's backbone is its Program for Women in Politics and Government, a one-year certificate program offered through American Studies that catapults graduates into law schools, Ph.D. programs and government and public policy careers.
"The program is the only one of its kind in the country that is one-year and that focuses on policy training, leadership development and public service. We concentrate on those like a laser beam," Sherman said.
"We have students all over the country working in outstanding positions, and they really got their start in our program," Sherman added.
Founded in 1968 at Simmons College and run for nearly 20 years at Boston College, the program is celebrating its 25th anniversary this month at a May 2 gala event at the Copley Fairmount Hotel in Boston.
Sherman quickly points out that Assistant Director Jain Ruvidich-Higgins is "the engineer of the program." Her responsibilities include recruiting students and running the internship program, which annually places 24 students in 250-hour jobs at just about every local entity dealing with public policy.
The NETWORK provides women from diverse backgrounds with opportunities for networking and career advancement. Run by Sheila Gagnon, The NETWORK hosts six annual forums featuring elected officials, community activists, journalists and policy analysts. Its Woman of the Year dinner celebration honors women of outstanding achievement and recognizes "Rising Stars" in politics and government.
"Our research is going to impact policy," Sherman said of the Center's research center. Research Director Carol Hardy-Fanta is widely respected as an expert on Latino political issues. Carol L. Cardoza, research associate, is developing the Women's Resource Library and has helped the Center secure thousands of dollars in research support.
"I think we can really be proud of all of the achievements we've accomplished over the past three or four years since we've been at UMass Boston," Sherman said of the entire Center.
Governor hopefuls attract 400 to campus forum
For skeptics who thought only a handful would attend the 1998 Gubernatorial Candidates Forum, the 400 people who packed Lipke Auditorium March 27 proved that superb weather on a Friday night was no deterrent.
"It was just an electric evening," said Elizabeth Sherman, director of the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy.
Three democratic candidates for governor -- Ray Flynn, Scott Harshbarger and Patricia McGovern -- attended the first ever gubernatorial forum in the Commonwealth to address issues of specific concern to women. Republican candidates Acting Gov. Paul Cellucci and Joseph Malone, along with Democrat Brian Donnelly, declined to participate. The discussion was moderated by Sarah-Ann Shaw, reporter for WBZ-TV Channel 4.
Hosted by The NETWORK of the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, the event was co-sponsored by 22 women's organizations.