Elaine Koury, Public Health Nurse Manager Sara Harris, Director of Human Services Nancy Bacci,Alderman-at-Large Mary Jo Rossetti, Joyce Shortt and Alderman-at-Large Bill White gathered together at a table for an evening of discussion.

By Emily Blackwood

For many people, getting involved in one’s community can often feel like a mission without a map. What do you do? How do you help? Where do you even start?

The Somerville Commission for Women aimed to clear up those questions by opening a direct line of communication to the people who have actually done it: the city’s elected officials. And rather than sending a faceless email or leaving what is probably one of dozens of messages on their answering machines, those officials were sitting at a table, ready to help.

In honor of Women’s History Month, the commission hosted their annual Shaping the Future: Our Community Dialogue event Mar. 26 at the Culinary Arts Bistro located in Somerville High School, 81 Highland Ave.

In attendance were officials Senator Pat Jehlen, Representative Denise Provost, Representative Christine Barber, Alderman-at-Large Mary Jo Rossetti, Alderman-at-Large Stephanie Hirsch, Alderman Ward 7 Board President Katjana Ballantyne, School Committee Ward 3 Lee Erica Palmer, School Committee Ward 1 Emily Ackman, School Committee Ward 5 Laura Pitone, School Committee Ward 6 Paula O’Sullivan and School Committee Ward 7 Carrie Normand.

During the event, officials moved around different tables and sat with local citizens to talk about Somerville and the different ways to get more involved in the community.

“We wanted to create the chance to celebrate women and let them connect with one another,” said the commission’s co-chair Kristin Strezo. “Especially with local female elected officials. It demystifies the concept that ‘Oh she’s an elected official’ when people are able to make eye contact with each other.”

The commission is currently made up of nine elected commissioners who aim to work with as many Somerville women as possible.

“By sharing experiences of advocacy,” said Alderman-at-Large Mary Jo Rossetti, “I hope to inspire others that they too can do what I’m doing.”

This is one of the many events the Somerville Commission for Women puts on, including bystander training sessions to teach people how to help stop harassment on the streets, salary negotiation trainings and a domestic violence vigil held in partnership with Respond Inc., in October.

For more information about the commission and to learn how you can get involved, visit www.somervillema.gov.