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

• Date: Saturday, January 31, 2026
• Time: 11:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Place: Universities at Shady Grove, 9630 Gudelsky Dr, Rockville, MD 20850
• Individual tickets are now available! Prices will go up in January, so be sure to purchase your tickets today.
• Sponsorship Opportunities are STILL available. (Those that met the December 31, 2025deadline will receive tabling and publicity priority.) Sponsorships may be purchased online. Questions? Contact [email protected].
• Refreshments: Light refreshments—including coffee, tea, water, and light snacks—will be available at the start of the conference and during a scheduled break. To keep ticket costs affordable, we are offering a limited selection of food items this year. If you anticipate needing more than these light options throughout the day, please feel free to bring your own snacks and plan accordingly. A boxed lunch can be purchased ahead of time for an extra fee.
• Parking: FREE!

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

Program Information

• 11:30-12:30 p.m.: Registration and Resource Fair
• 12:30-1:00 p.m: Opening Session
• 1:00-2:10: p.m.: Plenary Panel: Visionary Women: Shaping Tomorrow Together
• 2:10-2:30 p.m.: Break and Networking
• 2:30-3:30 p.m.: Breakout Session 1
  • Women’s Health: Empowering Women’s Wellness: Cycles, Change, and Choice
    This session will explore key aspects of women’s physical health across the lifespan, including reproductive rights, menstruation, menopause, and access to comprehensive care. Speakers will discuss current policy issues, emerging health needs, and practical resources to support women’s well-being. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of both the medical and legislative landscapes shaping women’s health today.
  • Women in the Workforce: Women’s Work, Women’s Worth: Closing the Gap
    The breakout session will explore policy solutions and strategies to advance workplace equity for women. This session will examine systemic barriers—including pay gaps, limited advancement opportunities, and the disproportionate burden of caregiving—that hinder women’s professional growth, and highlight actionable approaches to create fair, inclusive, and supportive work environments.
  • Advocacy and Mobilization: Advocacy Essentials: Turning Passion into Action
    This session introduces participants to the fundamentals of advocacy, including different types of advocacy—legislative, community, and grassroots. Attendees will learn strategies for mobilizing support, building networks, and growing their cause. Practical examples and tools will provide a roadmap for turning ideas into meaningful action and influencing change at every level.
  • Women’s Safety: Voices for Safety: Ending Violence Against Women
    This session will explore legislative and policy approaches to improve women’s safety and prevent violence. Speakers will examine strategies to address domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, including prevention, intervention, and support for survivors. The discussion will highlight current laws, policy gaps, and actionable solutions to protect women and advance systemic change.
• 3:30-4:00 p.m.: Break and Networking
• 4:00-5:00 p.m.: Breakout Session 2
  • Women’s Health: Unlocking Care: Solutions for Women’s Health Access
    This session will examine the barriers that prevent women from accessing comprehensive healthcare, including financial, systemic, and geographic obstacles. Speakers will explore strategies to improve coverage, expand access, and address inequities in care. The discussion will highlight policy, programmatic, and community-based solutions to ensure all women can obtain the health services they need.
  • Women in the Workforce: The Future is Female: Women Leading Change
    This session will highlight women leaders across industries and politics, exploring the barriers they overcame and the strategies that fueled their success. Participants will learn how policies and legislation have either supported or hindered women’s advancement in the workplace and leadership roles. Through real-world examples and interactive discussion, the session will provide actionable insights for advancing women’s careers, cultivating leadership, and influencing systemic change.
  • Advocacy and Mobilization: Amplify Your Voice: Digital Tools for Modern Advocacy
    Explore how modern advocates are leveraging digital tools and strategies to grow their causes and mobilize support. This session will cover online engagement, social media campaigns, and innovative tactics to turn digital action into real-world policy impact.
  • Women’s Rights: Your Rights, Your Power: Understanding Legal and Civic Protections
    This session will equip participants with essential knowledge about their rights, including legal protections, voting rights, immigrant rights, and women’s rights. Attendees will learn how to navigate systems, access resources, and take action to protect themselves and their communities. The discussion will provide practical guidance for asserting rights and advocating for justice.

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  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.

  

  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

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  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].