Women, Power, and the Future of Democracy

Thursday, October 15, 2026 • The Zeiterion | New Bedford, MA

National voices. Local leadership. The next generation.

Join Women’s Fund SouthCoast for an extraordinary evening bringing together nationally recognized leaders for a conversation about power, justice, leadership, race, economic opportunity, civic participation, and the future of our democracy.

Thursday

OCT

5:00 PM

Women’s Fund SouthCoast presents

Women, Power, and the Future of Democracy

$25 | $85 | $180

On the Stage

Fireside Conversation

Andrea Joy Campbell

Massachusetts Attorney General

Massachusetts’ first Black woman Attorney General and a leading voice on justice, public service, representation, and the responsibilities of leadership.

Christine Monska

Executive Director & Public Policy Leader

Christine leads the Women’s Fund SouthCoast and chairs the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women.

Power, Justice & Democracy: An Intersectional Conversation

Moderator:
Dr. Laurie A. Nsiah-Jefferson

DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR WOMEN IN POLITICS & PUBLIC POLICY

An expert in intersectionality and social policy, Dr. Nsiah-Jefferson’s work focuses on the intersections of race, class, gender, health and equity.

Featured Panelist:
Loretta J. Ross

Activist, Author & Pioneer of Reproductive Justice

A nationally renowned activist, scholar, and author whose groundbreaking work on Calling In challenges us to confront injustice while building stronger movements and communities.

Featured Panelist:
Marielena Hincapié

IMMIGRANT JUSTICE LEADER, INCOMING PRESIDENT OF THE ROBERT & ETHEL KENNEDY HUMAN RIGHTS CENTER

A nationally recognized immigrant justice leader and former head of the National Immigration Law Center whose work advances immigrant rights and strengthens democracy.

Featured Panelist:
Senator Lydia Edwards

MASSACHUSETTS STATE SENATOR & JUDICIARY COMMITTEE CHAIR

Career advocate and attorney whose work in the State Senate focuses on housing, criminal justice, and protections for vulnerable communities.

Featured Panelist:
Dr. Melanie Edwards-Tavares

PRESIDENT & CEO, SOUTHCOAST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

A New Bedford native and nonprofit leader, Melanie advances community-driven philanthropy, racial equity, and partnerships that expand opportunity across the South Coast.

Youth Call to Action

Three young women take the stage to share their vision for the future and call on all of us to help shape a more just and inclusive democracy.

Piper Reis

YOUNG WOMEN’S ADVISORY COUNCIL ALUMNA

A Harvard student studying political science, Piper is interested in leadership, civic engagement and the role young people can play in public life.

Elizabeth DaCunha

FOUNDER, LEADER

A former Women’s Fund advocacy fellow and Harvard student, Elizabeth founded LeadHer, a gender-justice mentoring and leadership program for young women and gender-expansive youth.

Duyen Lee

YOUNG WOMEN’S ADVISORY COUNCIL PEER MENTOR

A New Bedford native, UMass Amherst student, and Young Women’s Advisory Council alumna and former peer mentor who uses her voice to advocate for justice and youth leadership.

More Than a Mainstage

Democracy Marketplace

Meet organizations turning ideas into action across the SouthCoast. Discover ways to connect, participate, advocate, and lead.

VIP Experience

Join featured speakers, sponsors, and regional leaders for an exclusive pre-event reception with food and drinks, premium reserved seating, and a curated Women’s Fund SouthCoast gift bag featuring a copy of Loretta Ross’s Calling In.