The Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy at UMass Boston’s McCormack Graduate School conducts policy-relevant research on women’s economic security, with a current focus on several issues: pay equity, paid leave, the early care and education workforce, and the elder care workforce.

Center researchers also study women’s political representation and public leadership.

All center research explores the intersection of gender, race/ethnicity, and class; much of the center’s work has a particular emphasis on low-wage workers and women of color. Center publications range from fact sheets and policy briefs to in-depth reports and most are available as PDFs on this site.

For additional information about the center’s research activities and/or publications, please contact: Christa Kelleher, PhD, Research and Policy Director by emailing christa.kelleher@umb.edu or calling 617.287.5530.

Click here to learn more about the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy.

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Publications from 2024

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Building a Foundation for Racial and Ethnic Equity: Estimated Impacts of Massachusetts Legislation to Expand Affordable Quality Child Care and Early Education, Randy Albelda, Alan Clayton-Matthews, Anne Douglass, Christa Kelleher, Laurie Nsiah-Jefferson, and Songtian Zeng

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Building a Foundation for Racial and Ethnic Equity: Estimated Impacts of Massachusetts Legislation to Expand Affordable Quality Child Care and Early Education Executive Summary, Randy Albelda, Alan Clayton-Matthews, Anne Douglass, Christa Kelleher, Laurie Nsiah-Jefferson, and Songtian Zeng

Publications from 2023

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Estimating the Impacts of Legislation to Expand Affordable Quality Child Care and Early Education in Massachusetts: Initial Findings on Utilization, Employment, and Financial Assistance. Research Brief #1, Randy Albelda, Alan Clayton-Matthews, Anne Douglass, Christa Kelleher, Songtian Zeng, and Laurie Nsiah-Jefferson

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Latino Political Leadership in Massachusetts (2023), Rachel Paz, Fabián Torres-Ardila, and Christa Kelleher

Publications from 2022

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A New Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Role for the Town of Acton: Final Report, Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management, University of Massachusetts Boston and Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston

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Getting to Yes: The Makings of Paid Leave in Massachusetts, Christa Kelleher; Laurie Nsiah-Jefferson; Priyanka Kabir; Lillian Hunter; Cassandra M. Porter; and Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston

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On the Rise: Asian American Women Elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Katie Mai; Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston; and Institute for Asian American Studies, University of Massachusetts Boston

Publications from 2021

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Profiles in Leadership: Women of Color Elected to Office in Massachusetts, Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston

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Latinx Political Leadership in Massachusetts (2021), Leyi Andrea Perez, Fabián Torres-Ardila, and Christa Kelleher

Publications from 2020

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Latinx Political Leadership in Massachusetts, Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston; Gaston Institute, University of Massachusetts Boston; Bianca Ortiz-Wythe; Christa Kelleher; and Fabián Torres-Ardila

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Aging Strong for All: Examining Aging Equity in the City of Boston, Jan Mutchler, Caitlin Coyle, Nidya Velasco Roldán, Paul Watanabe, Cedric Woods, Lorna Rivera, Quito Swan, Elena Stone, and Laurie Nsiah-Jefferson

Publications from 2019

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The Political Leadership of Women of Color in Massachusetts: Uneven Progress Amid Historic Advances, Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston; Gaston Institute, University of Massachusetts Boston; William Monroe Trotter Institute, University of Massachusetts Boston; Institute for Asian American Studies, University of Massachusetts Boston; and Institute for New England Native American Studies, University of Massachusetts Boston

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Latino Political Leadership in Massachusetts – 2019, Bianca Ortiz-Wythe; Christa M. Kelleher; Fabián Torres-Ardila; Gaston Institute, University of Massachusetts Boston; and Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston

Publications from 2018

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The Massachusetts Paid Leave Program: What Workers Can Expect to Pay and Receive, Randy Albelda and Alan Clayton-Matthews

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Women’s Political Leadership in MA: Advances Expected, Gaps Remain, Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston

Publications from 2017

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Paid Family and Medical Leave: Cost and Coverage Estimates of Three Choices in Massachusetts, Policy Brief, Randy Albelda and Alan Clayton-Matthews

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Gaining Ground on Equal Pay: Empowering Boston's Women Through Salary Negotiation Workshops, A Report on Year One of AAUW Work Smart in Boston, Jecynta Azong, Ann Bookman, and Christa Kelleher

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Latina Political Leadership in Massachusetts, Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston

Publications from 2016

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It’s About Time: Costs and Coverage of Paid Family and Medical Leave in Massachusetts, Randy Albelda and Alan Clayton-Matthews

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Recovery for All? A Snapshot of Women’s Economic Status in New England, Ann Bookman, Christa Kelleher, and Kristin Smith

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Policy Snapshot: Current State Efforts, Action, and Progress on Key Issues,, Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston

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The 2016 Election: Women in the Massachusetts Legislature, Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston

Publications from 2015

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Testimony on the Equal Pay Act [H. 1733/S. 983], Ann Bookman

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Gender Wage Gap Matters to Women in Low-Wage Occupations: Hispanic Women Face Largest Pay Inequities, Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston

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Profiles in Leadership: Women of Color Elected to Office in Massachusetts, Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston and Women's Pipeline for Change

Submissions from 2014

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Healthy Eating and Savvy Saving: An Evaluation of Action for Boston Community Development’s Food Dollars Program For Low-Income Elders, Ann Bookman and Susan M. Phillips

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Latina Political Leadership in Massachusetts, Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston

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Women’s Municipal Leadership in Massachusetts: Snapshot of Cape Cod, Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston

Publications from 2013

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Women’s Political Leadership in Boston, Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston

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Demographic Analysis of Recovery Act Supported Jobs in Massachusetts, Quarters 1 and 2, 2011: FINAL REPORT, Carol Hardy-Fanta, Monica Lamboy, David Merwin, Paige Ransford, Meryl Thomson, and Christian Weller

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Process Evaluation: Suffolk County House of Correction’s Reentry Programs, Paige Ransford and Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston

Submissions from 2012

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Participatory Action Research Fellowship for Women of Color Leaders Project, Christa Kelleher; Ileana Cintrón; and Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, University of Massachusetts Boston

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Mothers in Prison: Maintaining Connections with Children, Sylvia Mignon and Paige Ransford

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Will Women Gain Seats?: The 2012 Election and the Representation of Women in the Massachusetts Legislature, Paige Ransford and Meryl Thomson

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Women’s Political Leadership in Massachusetts, Paige Ransford, Meryl Thomson, and Sarah Healey

Publications from 2011

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Caring for Women: A Profile of the Midwifery Workforce in Massachusetts, Christa M. Kelleher and Dorothy Brewin

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Unfinished Business: Building Equality for Women in the Construction Trades, Susan Moir, Meryl Thomson, and Christa Kelleher

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Moving through the Pipeline: Women’s Representation in Municipal Government in the New England Region of the United States, Paige Ransford and Meryl Thomson

Publications from 2010

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Women in the Down Economy: Impacts of the Recession and the Stimulus in Massachusetts, Randy Albelda and Christa Kelleher

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Facing Up: Managing Diversity in Challenging Times, Carol Hardy-Fanta and Paige Ransford

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Women’s Health Disparities and Midwifery Care: Spotlight on Maine, Dorothy Hiersteiner

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Women’s Health Disparities and Midwifery Care: Spotlight on Massachusetts, Dorothy Hiersteiner

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Women’s Health Disparities and Midwifery Care: Spotlight on New Hampshire, Dorothy Hiersteiner

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Women’s Health Disparities and Midwifery Care: Spotlight on Rhode Island, Dorothy Hiersteiner

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Women’s Health Disparities and Midwifery Care: Spotlight on Vermont, Dorothy Hiersteiner

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Women’s Health Disparities and Midwifery Care: Spotlight on Connecticut, Dorothy Hiersteiner and Kaye Inandan

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Women’s Health Disparities and Midwifery Care, Adeola Oni-Orisan, Dorothy Hiersteiner, and Althea Swett

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Demographic Analysis of Recovery Act Supported Jobs in Massachusetts, Quarters 1 and 2, 2010, David Sparks, Paige Ransford, Carol Hardy-Fanta, Christian Weller, Meryl Thomson, and Robert Turner

Publications from 2009

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Stepping Up: Managing Diversity in Challenging Times, Carol Hardy-Fanta

Publications from 2008

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Parenting from Prison: Family Relationships of Incarcerated Women in Massachusetts, Erika Kates, Sylvia Mignon, and Paige Ransford

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Call to Action: A Pay Equity Resource Guide, Kacie Kelly

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Women’s Municipal Leadership in Massachusetts, Paige Ransford and Miriam Lazewatsky

Publications from 2007

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A Benchmark Report On Diversity in State and Local Government, Carol Hardy-Fanta PhD

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Women of Talent: Gender and Government Appointments in Massachusetts, 2002–2007, Carol Hardy-Fanta and Kacie Kelly

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A Seat at the Table? Racial/Ethnic & Gender Diversity on Corporate, Hospital, Education, Cultural & State Boards, Carol Hardy-Fanta PhD and Donna Stewartson

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Low-Income Women's Access to Education? A Case Study of Welfare Recipients in Boston, Erika Kates

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The Voting Rights Act and the Election of Nonwhite Officials, Pei-te Lien, Dianne M. Pinderhughes, Carol Hardy-Fanta, and Christine M. Sierra

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Women in New England Politics, Paige Ransford, Carol Hardy-Fanta, and Anne Marie Cammisa

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Women in New England Politics, Paige Ransford, Carol Hardy-Fanta, and Anne Marie Cammisa

Publications from 2006

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Minority Women in the Healthcare Workforce in New England, Carol Hardy-Fanta, Erika Kates, Helen Levine, and Kate Peery-Wolf

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Gender, Race, and Descriptive Representation in the United States: Findings from the Gender and Multicultural Leadership Project, Carol Hardy-Fanta, Pei-te Lien, Dianne M. Pinderhughes, and Christine M. Sierra

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Transformation and Taking Stock: A Summary of Selected Findings from the McCormack Graduate School Diversity Survey, Carol Hardy-Fanta and Paul Watanabe

Publications from 2005

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Women and Homelessness in Massachusetts, Michelle Kahan

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Women in Prison in Massachusetts: Maintaining Family Connections, Erika Kates, Paige Ransford, and Carol Cardozo

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“As Tough As It Gets”: Women in Boston Politics, 1921-2004, Kristen A. Petersen, Carol Hardy-Fanta PhD, and Karla Armenoff

Publications from 2004

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Debunking the Myth of the Failure of Education and Training for Welfare Recipients, Erika Kates

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HIV/AIDS Among Women of Color in Massachusetts, Erika Kates, Helen Levine, and LaKay Cornell

Publications from 2003

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Growing Inequities among Women in Massachusetts: Income, Employment, Education and Skills, Erika Kates

Submissions from 2002

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Who's in Charge? Appointments of Latinos to Policymaking Offices and Boards in Massachusetts, Carol Hardy-Fanta

Submissions from 2001

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Gender Politics in Massachusetts: Progress for Paid Family Leave, Elizabeth A. Sherman

Publications from 2000

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Report on the Minors’ Abortion Rights Project, J. Shoshanna Ehrlich, Carol Hardy-Fanta, and Jamie Ann Sabino

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Alternatives to Incarceration for Substance Abusing Female Defendants/Offenders in Massachusetts, 1996-1998, Carol Hardy-Fanta and Sylvia Mignon

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Comparable Worth: Pay Equity and Women of Color, Elizabeth A. Sherman

Publications from 1999

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Making Family Leave More Affordable in Massachusetts: The Temporary Disability Insurance Model, Jillian P. Dickert

Publications from 1997

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Beyond the Gender Gap: Women of Color in the 1996 Election, Carol Hardy-Fanta

Publications from 1995

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An Economic Profile of Women in Massachusetts, Randy Albelda

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Latina Women and Political Leadership: Implications for Latino Community Empowerment, Carol Hardy-Fanta