WEMO leadership conference features keynote from AG Healey

Attorney General Maura Healey spoke with women elected municipal officials from across the state on Oct. 16.

A keynote from Attorney General Maura Healey kicked off the second annual Women Elected Municipal Officials leadership conference – “Rising to the Challenge Together” – on Oct. 16.

Via Zoom, Healey spoke to nearly 100 women elected leaders about racial equity and opportunities for communities to receive civil rights training through her office.

She also discussed the importance of protecting election activities and the right to vote ahead of the November election, and the need to build greater equity around access to technology in the Commonwealth.

Healey was joined by a number of her staff members to respond to questions on topics including conducting remote public meetings, the potential for permanent changes to the open meeting law to allow for virtual meetings, trainings available through Healey’s office, housing equity, and addressing issues of racial bias in predominantly white communities.

The keynote was followed by a series of group discussions facilitated by the WEMO committee using Zoom’s breakout rooms feature. Topics included using technology to govern and build community, and promoting race, equity and inclusion in your community.

In the breakout sessions, participants were able to discuss challenges they face in their communities and share resources with one another.

Resources
• For questions about the open meeting law, contact the Division of Open Government at OpenMeeting@mass.gov.
• For assistance with civil rights training, contact Alicia Rebello-Pradas at alicia.rebello-pradas@mass.gov.
• Link to the Attorney General’s Office of Community Engagement
• Link to information about trainings offered through the Community Engagement Office
• Groton Select Board Statement on Diversity
• Town of Milton Proposal for Establishment of Advisory Committee on Equity and Justice for All (PDF)
• Town of Milton Proclamation of Day of Reflection and Witness For Seeking Equity and Justice for All
• Town of Amherst Community Safety Working Group