Page 2 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, July 29, 2022 The CROWN Act signed by Governor alongside House and Senate sponsors, Cook Family and advocates Rep. Ultrino’s bill prohibits discrimination based on natural and protective hairstyles O n July 14 and 18 the Massachusetts Legislature enacted H.4554, An Act prohibiting discrimination based on natural and protective hairstyles – better known as Massachusetts’s version of The CROWN Act, and on July 26 Governor Charlie Baker signed the legislation into law. The CROWN Act stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair. A recording of the signing ceremony can be found at https:// youtu.be/iDQ_xKAugxs. The CROWN Coalition is an alliance of organizations working to advance “anti-hair discrimination legislation across the United States.” Massachusetts will now join 17 other states to codify the defi nition of natural and protective hairstyle and protect its residents from being denied employment and educational opportunities because of their hair texture. Discrimination and policies restricting these respective hairstyles in schools, employment, housing and business settings will now be prohibited in the Commonwealth. This legislation would also expand criminal law prohibiting -Help WantedTra visors (Cr ds) City of Malden Malden Police Department, Traffic Commission The City of Malden seeks Part Time Traffic Supervisors (Crossing Guards) – Multiple Positions. Provide safe crossing at crosswalks, as assigned, for pedestrians and students walking to and from school. Must be able to stand in one area for 1-hour intervals (with or without accommodation) to monitor and ensure traffic flow in all directions while providing safe crossing at busy intersections throughout the City of Malden. To see full job description and complete an application please visit cityofmalden.org/jobs 8/12/22 State Representative Steve Ultrino is shown with Mya and Deanna Cook at the State House for the Governor’s signing of the legislation of the Crown Act.(Courtesy photo Rep. Steve Ultrino) assault and battery for purposes of intimidation to include natural and protective hairstyles, while adding natural and protective hairstyles to hate crime data collection and reporting requirements. The bill was fi rst fi led last sesValid as of 7/28/2022* Open a 2-year CD with one of the region’s highest rates. Make your money work harder, longer, with our 2-year certificate of deposit account. Stop into one of our branches to open an account. sion by Representative Steven Ultrino with the endorsement of The CROWN Coalition and received increased support from advocates, community members and legal experts as well as Senate and House members this session. “Today is a historic day for Massachusetts. When my staff and I fi rst drafted this bill last session, we were inspired by Mya and Deanna’s bravery and resilience,” said Representative Steven Ultrino (D-Malden). “That bravery and resilience have brought us here today, changing lives of Black and Brown communities all across the state. I am proud to be a sponsor of the bill and I look forward to the state legislature continuing its eff orts toward empowering communities of color and ensuring equitable living standards in 419 BROADWAY. EVERETT, MA 02149 771 SALEM ST. LYNNFIELD, MA 01940 WWW.EVERETTBANK.COM 617-387-1110 781-776-4444 Member FDIC | Member DIF *Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is subject to change without notice. Fixed rate term Certificate of Deposits accounts, rates are guaranteed for the length of the term. Minimum deposit to open account and to obtain the APY is $500 unless otherwise specified. APY is based on principal and interest remaining in the account for a period of one year. Penalty may be imposed for early withdrawal. For consumer accounts only. No out of state deposits. ECB NOW Checking Account is requested. our Commonwealth.” “Today marks a great day for Black and Brown Communities throughout Massachusetts. Today this important piece of legislation in the fi ght against systemic racism has been signed into law by our Governor,” said Representative Chynah Tyler (D-Boston), who is Chair of the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus. “Women and girls will no longer need to live in fear of facing repercussions in schools, workplaces, and other institutions based on the way they choose to wear their hair. I would like to thank my colleagues in both branches of the legislature for helping take this bill across the fi nish line.” “This really all started when we were in high school and our school banned us from wearing our hair in box braids. When that happened, me and Mya decided to get the school to change the rule. They were very adamant, and we had to protest and do detention sit-ins, to do postcard campaigns and fi ght to get the rule changed in our school. It sparked a movement for us to push to never have this happen to anyone else again,” said Deanna Cook, one of the Malden residents whose experiences became the inspiration behind The CROWN Act. “All the support for this just feels so amazing. It feels like everyone is ready for this to be a law. Back in 2017, it did not feel like that, so to be here in 2022 is just amazing,” said Mya Cook, Deanna’s sister, who stood beside her against the hair discrimination they faced at school. With overwhelming support and dedication from The CROWN Coalition, the Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, ACLU Massachusetts, New England Blacks in Philanthropy and many others, Massachusetts will become the 18th state to pass similar legislation prohibiting race-based hair discrimination.
3 Publizr Home