Vermont Commission on Women Elected Aleta Sprague Chair
The Vermont Commission on Women has appointed attorney Aleta Sprague to serve as its new chair through mid-2027.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Women’s Issues
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Aleta Sprague was elected chair of the Vermont Commission on Women during a special meeting held by the organization on September 28. She succeeds outgoing chair Esther Charlestin, who announced her decision to step down from the role earlier in the month.
Why it matters
The appointment ensures continuity for the state body as it continues its work advocating for women across Vermont. Sprague brings extensive legal and policy research experience to the leadership position, which is tasked with guiding the commission through June 2027.
Aleta Sprague is a Dorset resident who co-authored two books and three dozen peer-reviewed articles. The Vermont Commission on Women has supported the state for over 60 years.
The players
Aleta Sprague
She is an attorney and researcher who co-founded Equal Futures and directs legal analysis at the WORLD Policy Analysis Center at UCLA.
Esther Charlestin
She is the outgoing chair of the Vermont Commission on Women who chose to step down from the position.
Vermont Commission on Women
This state organization has operated for over 60 years to advocate for and empower women throughout Vermont.
The details
The commission held a special meeting where the outgoing chair opened the floor for nominations to identify a successor. Sprague, who is an attorney and researcher as well as the cofounder of Equal Futures, joined the commission in 2024 and currently directs legal analysis at the WORLD Policy Analysis Center at UCLA.
Timeline
September 17, 2026: Outgoing chair announced her intention to step down.
September 28, 2026: Commission held a special meeting to elect Aleta Sprague.
June 30, 2027: Term of the new chair concludes.
Culture Shift
The leadership change marks a continuation of the long-standing advocacy work established throughout the 60-year operational history of the Vermont Commission on Women. It signals an ongoing commitment to academic and legal rigor in the state's efforts to address systemic issues affecting residents.
The election of a new chair affects how the commission prioritizes its legislative and community advocacy efforts for women across the state. Residents can expect the body to maintain its current mission of promoting equality through its ongoing state-level initiatives.
The takeaway
Effective leadership transitions are vital for state commissions to maintain progress on long-term policy goals. As Sprague begins her term, the commission will likely continue to leverage data-driven legal analysis to inform its advocacy for Vermont residents.
Further reading
Learn more about local advocacy and policy efforts by visiting the Women’s Issues section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Bennington Banner.
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