First established in 1964 as the Governor's Advisory Council on the Status of Women, the panel was renamed in 1976 and became the Maine Commission for Women. The commission was legislatively mandated to advise and consult with the Governor, and the Legislature, about and to assist them in improving opportunities for Maine women by:

1. Carrying out research programs which are necessary to determine the status of Maine women
2. Promoting and coordinating activities on state and local levels designed to meet the problems of women
3. Serving as an advocate for Maine women by making recommendations on proposed budgetary, legislative and policy actions to the Governor, Legislature and to other officials of State and Federal Government with respect to state and federal policies, programs and other activities affecting or relating to the women of Maine
4. Informing the public about the presence or absence of opportunities for Maine women
5. Conducting public hearings, conferences, workshops and other such meetings to obtain information about, discuss and publicize the needs of and solutions to problems of women

The commission was defunded during a special legislative session in December 1991.