What is the JCSW? The Joint Committee on the Status of Women (JCSW), established in 1973 is an administrative committee of the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Harvard Medical School (HMS) representing an inclusive constituency of faculty, staff, fellows, residents, and students of HMS, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and affiliated hospitals and institutions.
Notable achievements of the JCSW include contributing towards creation of the Longwood Ombudsperson Office and the Office of Work and Family at HMS, formal recommendations that women serve on all faculty search committees, establishing Mother’s Rooms at HMS, creating the Childcare Summit to address childcare issues at HMS and HSDM, and establishing the HMS Joseph B. Martin Dean’s Leadership Award for the Advancement of Women Faculty and Staff Awards.
Through the efforts of its members, the JCSW represents a voice for change through advocacy, action, education, networking and visibility.