BOSTON (WWLP) - The Caucus of Women Legislators, a bipartisan and bicameral caucus focused on advancing the rights and equality of women, is turning 50 in 2025. The Caucus was founded by 14 women lawmakers from the House of Representatives in 1975, and they pushed to pass the Equal Rights Amendme nt and create a sense of community among women in the State House. Western Massachusetts lawmakers push for endometriosis task force Since then, the group has spearheaded the passage of women's rights and protections bills in both chambers, spanning from divorce and domestic violence issues, to pay equity provisions, to creating a women's rights history trail. "It's because of their resilience, of the women who came before, and what they have fought for, that we are able to lead today," said the caucus's House Chair, Representative Christine Barber. The lieutenant governor spoke at a Wednesday kickoff of anniversary celebrations on the importance of women-led spaces in government. "When women are empowered, good things happen for their family, for their community, for their country," said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. "That's not just true here in the United States, that's global." Each legislative session, the caucus chooses five legislative priorities to focus their resources on and endorses 20 other bills. This session, the caucus is focused on livable wages for human service workers, increased access to disposable menstrual products, reducing rates and deaths from pancreatic cancer, advances in perinatal behavioral health care, and gender-neutral language in election laws. The Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators is 60 members strong in 2025, including seven from western Massachusetts. Local News Headlines Southwick police searching for vehicle connected to shoplifting Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators turns 50 What to look out for during termite season Tree pollen arriving as temperatures get warmer WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. ...read more read less