Women's Legislative Briefing January 31, 2026

Join us on Saturday, January 31, 2026 for
Montgomery County Commission for Women’s
 Women’s Legislative Briefing  

2026 Theme: Stronger Together: Leading with Vision, Voices, and Values  

The Women’s Legislative Briefing (WLB) is the premier and longest-standing women’s legislative event in the state of Maryland. It is coordinated by the Montgomery County Commission for Women and brings together advocates, policymakers, and emerging leaders to empower, engage, and mobilize Marylanders around issues affecting women and girls throughout the state. The WLB inspires, promotes action, and helps bridge perspectives.

WLB 2026 Overview

WLB 2026 Vision and Goals

  • Educational Platform: Provides attendees with comprehensive briefings on current legislative priorities and emerging policy issues.
  • Networking Hub: Supports connecting grassroots advocates with elected officials, policy experts, and community leaders.
  • Skill Development: Professional workshops and sessions build advocacy capacity and leadership skills.
  • Action Catalyst: Transforming awareness into concrete steps for legislative and community engagement

History and Purpose:

The Montgomery County Commission for Women hosted the first Women’s Legislative Briefing in January 1980, originally co-sponsored by 12 community and women’s organizations. Except for a single year in 1982, this briefing has been presented annually, making this its 45th anniversary. The number of co-sponsoring organizations has grown dramatically, with over 65 co-sponsors. The number of participants has also increased significantly, more than tripling from approximately 200 in 1981 to over 700 in 2018. What began as a local initiative has evolved into a regional event, drawing participants from across the state of Maryland.

The Women’s Legislative Briefing is designed to provide attendees with timely, relevant insights into legislative issues affecting women and families, including key bills expected to be introduced in the upcoming sessions of the Maryland General Assembly and U.S. Congress. The event serves as a valuable platform for community members to engage directly with legislators, ask questions, and advocate for the policies that matter most to their communities.

People sitting in an auditorium

To emphasize the role of women as key to policymaking, keynote speakers in the past have included:

Angela Alsobrooks, County Executive, Prince George’s County
Jessica Fitzwater, County Executive, Frederick County
Aruna Miller, Lt. Governor of Maryland
Brooke Lierman, Comptroller of Maryland
Dr. Karyn N. Onyeneho, Founder, Color of Genes
Margarita Womack, Founder and CEO, Latin Goodness Foods
Thea LaFond, Gold Medalist, 2024 Olympics
Chris Van Hollen, U.S. Senator For Maryland
Rosie Rios, 43rd Treasurer of the United States
Joanne Bamberger, Author, How Women & Social Media are Revolutionizing Politics in America
Dr. Bernice Sandler, Author of Title IX legislation
Sara Manzano-Diaz, Director, Women’s Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor
Lilly Ledbetter, Pay Equity Advocate
Dorothy Height, Founder and President Emeritus, National Council of Negro Women
Donna Brazile, Founder and Managing Director, Brazile and Associates, LLC
Eleanor Smeal, Founder and President, The Feminist Majority and Past National President of NOW
Karen Nussbaum, Director, Women’s Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor
Shinae Chun, Director, Women's Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor
The Honorable Donna Edwards, U.S. House of Representatives
Irene Natividad, President, Global Summit for Women
Susan Wood, Ph.D., Former Assistant Commissioner for Women’s Health, U.S. FDA
Cokie Roberts, Senior News Analyst, National Public Radio, Political Commentator, ABC-News
Dr. Jane Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Business & Professional Women, USA
Ellen Malcolm, President of EMILY’s List
Lynne Battaglia, U.S. Attorney for District of Maryland
Patricia Blau Reuss, NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund
Anita Perez Ferguson, President, National Women’s Political Caucus
Carmen Delgado Votaw, Washington Representative for Girl Scouts of the USA
The Honorable Constance Morella, U.S. House of Representatives
Mónica Ramirez, Founder, Justice for Migrant Women

What is the Montgomery County Commission for Women?

The Montgomery County Commission for Women (CFW) is a 15-member board charged with the responsibility of advising the public, the county executive, the county council, and the agencies of the county, state and federal governments on the issues of concern to women. It was formed in 1972 through county law. Each commissioner is appointed by the county executive and confirmed by the county council. Commissioners serve three-year terms without compensation.

The mission of the Montgomery County Commission for Women is to promote the full and equal participation of women in all aspects of society. The Commission works to empower women by increasing access to skills, information, and resources, enabling them to engage fully and equally in their communities.

A core responsibility of the Commission is to identify inequities in laws, policies, practices, and procedures—and to recommend and advocate for effective remedies that advance gender equity.

Sponsorships

The Women’s Legislative Briefing is made possible each year through the generous support of our corporate, non-profit, and community co-sponsors. Sponsoring this event is a powerful opportunity to highlight your organization’s commitment to equity while helping to elevate and address the critical issues facing women and girls across Maryland.

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Please contact Carmen Kaarid at (240) 777-8300 or e-mail [email protected].