Mission
In 2022, the Captain Paul Cuffe Center for Inclusion established the Women's Coalition to promote wellness, empowerment and networking for women on campus, in the maritime industry and beyond. The coalition meets once a month and creates events that will promote support, mentorship and empowerment to female cadets. This is a working group of primarily faculty and staff to discuss women's issues, examine policies and introduce further programming for the experience of women on campus, including students, faculty and staff. We look forward to working with student clubs, and women's programs and initiatives toward a shared mission.
Swimwear Policy
The Women’s Coalition collaborated with Student Services to change a swimwear policy for female cadets. The policy gives female cadets the option to wear swim shorts over their bathing suits as they demonstrate all water activities.
White Ribbon Project
In collaboration with the Title IX Coordinator and Independence House, the Women’s Coalition brought The White Ribbon Project to campus. The White Ribbon Project is a campaign that calls on men and boys to stand up in solidarity, wear a white ribbon and take a pledge saying NO to violence against women & girls and all gender-based violence. Over 200 participants signed up and received a ribbon to be worn on their uniforms!
Independence House
Through the CAPT Cuffe Center, Women’s Coalition and Title IX efforts, we were thrilled to continue our relationship with the Independence House of Cape Cod this semester. The Independence House holds monthly resource tables at Mass Maritime to help promote safe and healthy relationships, awareness of domestic violence and sexual assault resources.
Women’s Appreciation breakfast
In collaboration with the Empowered 5 Council, the Women’s Coalition held a Women’s Appreciation Breakfast on March 8th. The breakfast was designed to honor and showcase our the women who make a difference on campus. The Award recipients were: LT Kelly DeMello, Career Services, Dr. Qi Chen, Professor of Social Science, and Ms. Amy Heine, Student Academic Support. Thank you to the awardees for all you do!
Feminine Hygiene Product machine installation
In collaboration with Health Services, Operations, Title IX, and Facilities, the Women’s Coalition worked to have machines to distribute feminine hygiene products installed throughout the campus. They are accessible in various bathrooms as well as gender neutral spaces.
HERstory: Women who light the way photo Exhibit
From March 18th-March 31st, the Women’s Coalition led by Ms. Denise Carrington, Assistant Director of the Cuffe Center, coordinated a photo exhibit to highlight the women on our campus making a difference. The women highlighted were nominated by cadets as examples of empowerment, courage, and strength.
Self-Defense
In preparation for Sea Term, the Women’s Coalition in partnership with the Title IX Coordinator and Campus Police brought Viper Defense, Dwayne Fortes to provide awareness, resources and various self defense techniques to students on campus.
An Institution-wide effort
Pictured above: Members and allies of the Women’s Coalition pose with limited edition pullovers in solidarity of gender equity support initiatives and programming
In completion of its second year, the Women’s Coalition, led by Denise Carrington, continues to make an impact on gender equity initiatives and programs on campus. This year saw an increase in collaborative efforts such as proactive conversations with Facilities and Health Services regarding the implementation of feminine hygiene product machines in campus bathrooms, resource tabling provided by the Independence House of Cape Cod, and programming such as the Self-Defense Workshop and Women’s Appreciation Breakfast with the Empowered 5 Council. For more information please contact Denise Carrington dcarrington@thebigkahunaspokane.com