BOSTON (02/16/2022) – Today, the Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts (WBA) honored Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington) with the organization’s 2022 Public Official of the Year Award during the WBA’s annual Legislative Breakfast. This event, hosted by the WBA’s Legislative Policy Committee (LPC) and held virtually this year, serves as a platform for the WBA to outline its pressing legislative priorities.
WBA President-Elect Kristy Lavigne presented Senator Friedman with the award, citing the senator’s distinguished leadership on policy issues that impact women and children and her unwavering support for women attorneys and women-led organizations like the WBA. Senator Friedman spoke about her passion for advocating for policies that positively impact working families and women and she encouraged constituents and organizations like the WBA to continue to play a proactive advocacy role in the state policymaking process.
“I want to thank the WBA and to all its members for honoring me with this award,” said Senator Friedman, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. “The WBA is such a valuable partner in the policymaking process in our state – it’s critically important that women attorneys continue to weigh in on the policy issues that impact them and their clients, because their voices, personal experiences and knowledge can help strong policy become law and stop harmful bills from being passed.”
Senator Friedman also called attention to legislation that she has sponsored, including bills to end sexual harassment in venture capital relationships, bring greater awareness to the dangers of using toxic chemicals in children’s products, and enhance access to appropriate, immediate care for families struggling with mental illness.
During the event, the WBA also highlighted the organization’s priority legislation, including increased funding for civil legal aid, employment protections for victims of abusive behaviors, telephone services for inmates, wage transparency and alleviating child poverty. Senator Friedman supports many of these efforts.
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About the Women’s Bar Association of Massachusetts
Founded in 1978 by a group of activist women lawyers, the Women’s Bar Association (“WBA”) boasts a large membership of women lawyers across Massachusetts. The WBA is committed to the full and equal participation of women in the legal profession and in a just society. The WBA works to achieve this mission through the work of its committees, events, and the development and promotion of a robust legislative agenda to address society’s most critical social and legal issues. Other WBA activities include networking and professional development, amicus advocacy, studying employment issues affecting women, encouraging women to enter the judiciary, recognizing the achievement of women in the law, and providing pro bono services to women in need through its sister organization, the Women’s Bar Foundation. For more information, visit www.womensbar.org.