Budson to Chair Mass. Commission on the Status of Women

Wellesley resident Victoria A. Budson has been elected to chair the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, according to a press release.

Budson is a founder and executive director for the Harvard Kennedy School’s Women and Public Policy Program, which focuses on closing gender gaps around the world. She also serves on the National Council for Research on Women’s Board of Directors, and she has served as an advisor to the United Nations.

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to strengthen the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by improving the equality and status of women,” Budson said in the press release. “I look forward to working with the members of the Commission, the local and regional commissions throughout the state, Governor Patrick and the Legislature to lead us toward the realization of gender equality.”

The 19-person Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women is an independent, state agency, legislatively created in 1998, to provide a “permanent, effective voice for Massachusetts women,” according to the release. Gov. Deval Patrick appointed Budson to the commission last year.

“Victoria Budson has a long track record of advocacy for women’s rights and equality,” Patrick said in the release. “She will be a terrific chairwoman, and I look forward to her leadership of the Commission.  She brings passion, experience and expertise to the role, and I will be counting on her to help guide the Commission’s work in the months and years ahead.”