Advocacy

Women of Means defines advocacy with a broad brush.

On a daily basis Women of Means nursing staff provide outreach and advocacy services. They help patients apply for Medicaid coverage, find transportation for the women to get to referral appointments and even accompany the women on appointments.

Women of Means works to find creative interventions for the women. Through grant funding, Women of Means nurses screen for oral health, providing health education along with toothbrushes/toothpaste/floss. Similarly, Women of Means has found a corporate partner to assist in providing free vision testing for some patients and another company that generously makes glasses for the women.

Speaking engagements and presentations to professional medical groups help extend the message of making health care accessible for all. Dr. Means encourages doctors to consider volunteerism and community service.

The organization collaborates with the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women and the Caucus of Women Legislators to offer a voter registration project. From registering women to vote, to explaining voter rights and offering rides to the polls, the project has meaningful results. In 2006, Women of Means staff and volunteers teamed up with staff from Rosie’s Place and took 61 women to the polls.

In 2005, Women of Means volunteers and staff from Rosie's Place managed the registration program. Forty-five women headed to the polls to cast their vote in Boston's mayoral election.