The MA Women’s Caucus Announces New and Returning MCSW Commissioners.
Boston – The Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators is pleased to announce the appointment of Shela Levante of Pittsfield and the reappointments of Kim Shea of Winchendon and Divya Chaturvedi of Pittsfield to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW), which works to provide a permanent, effective voice for women and girls across the Commonwealth.
As one of four appointing authorities to the Commission, along with the Governor, the Senate President, and the Speaker of the House, the Caucus engaged in a deliberate and wide-spread efforts to solicit interest in applying for the Commissioner opening and ultimately received more than 100 applications from across Massachusetts.
An Appointment Subcommittee comprised of Representative Hannah Kane (R-11th Worcester), Senator Joan Lovely (D-2nd Essex), Representative Vanna Howard (D-17th Middlesex), Representative Lindsay Sabadosa (D-1st Hampshire), and Seble Alemu, Executive Director of the Caucus, led a thorough process and chose Shela Levante to bring her voice, lived experience, and strong work ethic to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. The Caucus also reappointed Divya Chaturvedi and Kim Shea each to another threeyear term on the Commission.
“We are deeply grateful to all applicants for their dedication to advancing the status of women and girls across Massachusetts,” said Representative Hannah Kane, House Vice Chair of the Caucus and Chair of the Appointing Subcommittee. “The Caucus is proud to appoint Ms. Shela Levante and to reappoint Dr. Kim Shea and Ms. Divya Chaturvedi, and we are confident that individually and collectively they will use their voices to uplift women and girls the Commonwealth.”
Shela Levante serves as the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, where she leads fundraising initiatives and advances the college’s strategic growth. She recently completed her term as Chair of the Berkshire County Commission on the Status of Women and previously served as Co-President of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, where she also held roles as Clerk of the Board and Co-Chair of Community Investments. As a BIPOC woman of Native and Hispanic ancestry, Shela draws deeply on her lived experience growing up with financial instability and aging out of the foster care system. These experiences inspire her commitment to champion inclusive, communitybased solutions that expand opportunity, safety, and leadership for women across the Commonwealth. Recognized among Berkshire Community College’s “40 Under Forty” honorees and as a recipient of the Community Impact Award from the School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs at Northeastern University, Shela is a powerful advocate for women’s economic mobility and a commitment to cultivating male allyship in gender equity work, emphasizing approaches that support and strengthen local initiatives.
Divya Chaturvedi is the Executive Director of Elizabeth Freeman Center, a domestic and sexual violence agency serving Berkshire County. She previously led a culturally specific community-based domestic violence nonprofit that serves Asian and Middle Eastern communities in MA. She brings her lived experience and extensive leadership in the nonprofit and advocacy sectors, especially around economic security, domestic and sexual violence, and language access. Through her work, she champions women’s empowerment, survivor safety, and equitable access to opportunity, ensuring that the needs and perspectives of all women are heard and reflected in state policy. During her prior term on the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, Divya served on the Strategic Planning Committee and as the Vice-Chair and Secretary of the Finance Committee. She played a key role in advancing the Commission’s fiscal transparency and long-term vision, helping shape priorities around advocacy and sustainability. Divya has represented the Commission at numerous hearings and community forums, elevating the voices of women across Massachusetts, particularly those from marginalized and rural communities.
Dr. Kimberly Shea is a healthcare professional and the Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences at Mount Wachusett Community College. During her first term on the Commission on the Status of Women, Kim served on the Legislative & Public Policy Committee and currently chairs the Program and Planning Committee Acting as the Secretary of the Commission, she has led the development and implementation of the Commission’s strategic plan. Dr. Shea has also taken on a leadership role as a facilitator for Caucus-sponsored events, strengthening the connection between local communities and the broader Commission’s mission. As a registered nurse and academic leader, Dr. Shea brings a perspective rooted in health equity, access to education, and community well-being to the important work of the MCSW.
“Since its establishment, the Caucus has been intentional in supporting the mission of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women,” said Representative Christine Barber and Senator Robyn Kennedy, Co-Chairs of the Caucus. “We commend the Appointing Subcommittee for their thoughtful selection process and are proud that these appointments reflect the Caucus’s commitment to ensuring diverse voices and lived experiences strengthen the Commission’s advocacy for women and girls statewide.”
The nineteen MCSW Commissioners serve staggered three-year terms, with Caucus appointees limited to two consecutive terms to ensure diverse perspectives continue to shape the Commission’s work.
About the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators
Founded in 1975, the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators is the longest continuously operating bipartisan, bicameral women’s caucus in the United States. Comprising 62 members from the Massachusetts House and Senate, the Caucus advances policies that enhance the economic status and equality of women and fosters the empowerment of women at all levels of government.
Tewksbury PR Partner
These posts are from the great organizations around Tewksbury that provide updates to the Carnation.
Be First to Comment