BHS Named to Top 100 Women-Led Businesses

BOSTON —  The Women's Edge together with its partner The Boston Globe, recently announced Berkshire Health Systems was again named one of the annual Top 100 Women-Led Businesses in Massachusetts.

The 100 organizations honored generated over $124 billion in total revenue in 2023, demonstrating that women leaders continue to be key drivers of the state's economy. This is the second year in a row that BHS has been recognized.

"On behalf of the more than 4,000 dedicated healthcare professionals that serve Berkshire County and the surrounding region], we are very grateful to The Women's Edge and Boston Globe for this recognition," said Darlene Rodowicz, President and CEO of Berkshire Health Systems.

This is the 24th year that The Women's Edge – a Boston-based nonprofit organization devoted to advancing women in leadership positions — created the list through a nomination process and reviewed both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, and the 12th year that the list was created in collaboration with The Boston Globe.

"The organizations on this year's diverse list are driving $124 billion of revenue into the Massachusetts economy and innovation across the country, from increased manufacturing capacity to breakthroughs in clinical care and therapeutics" said The Women's Edge Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth L. Hailer. "We are honored to celebrate the Top 100 women leaders and hope it inspires others to drive for success here in our region and beyond."

In addition to revenue or operating budget, factors considered in the evaluation included workplace and management diversity, board makeup, and innovative projects. The full list will be published in the Globe Magazine's Women & Power issue at bostonglobe.com/magazine on November 1 and in print on Nov. 3.

"These 100 exceptional leaders, and the companies they run, are at the heart of the Massachusetts economy," said Globe Magazine editor Francis Storrs. "We're delighted to highlight their inspiration and impact through our longtime partnership with The Women's Edge."

Pittsfield City Council Weighs in on 'Crisis' in Public Schools

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
08:59PM / Monday, December 23, 2024

A half-dozen people addressed the City Council from the floor of Monday's meeting, including Valerie Anderson, right.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After expressing anger and outrage and making numerous calls for accountability and transparency, the 11 members of the City Council on Monday voted to support the School Committee in seeking an independent investigation into allegations of misconduct by staff members at Pittsfield High School that have come to light in recent weeks.

 

At the close of a month that has seen three PHS administrators put on administrative leave, including one who was arrested on drug trafficking charges, the revelation that the district is facing a civil lawsuit over inappropriate conduct by a former teacher and that a staff member who left earlier in the year is also under investigation at his current workplace, the majority of the council felt compelled to speak up about the situation.

 

"While the City Council does not have jurisdiction over the schools … we have a duty to raise our voices and amplify your concerns and ensure this crisis is met with the urgency it demands," Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey said.

 

About two dozen community members attended the special meeting of the council, which had a single agenda item.

 

Four of the councilors precipitated the meeting with a motion that the council join the School Committee in its search for an investigation and that the council, "be included in the delivery of any disclosures, interim reports or findings submitted to the city."

 

Last week, the School Committee decided to launch that investigation. On Monday, City Council President Peter White said the School Committee has a meeting scheduled for Dec. 30 to authorize its chair to enter negotiations with the Springfield law firm of Bulkley, Richardson and Gelinas to conduct that probe.

 

Ward 7 Councilor Rhonda Serre, the principal author of the motion of support, was one of several members who noted that the investigation process will take time, and she, like Kavey, acknowledged that the council has no power over the public schools beyond its approval of the annual district budget.