My Bio
I have over 40 years of experience in volunteerism, community and political advocacy. Service to others is the cornerstone of everything I do and has been from a very young age. From baby sitting at Crossroads shelter for women and children at the age of twelve, developing citywide events in Boston and volunteering with veterans at the Chelsea Soldiers Home at the age of 15 forward - and the last two decades of hands on political engagement - community focus has been a way of life for me.
I pushed back on special interest billionaire initiatives poised to impact our quality of life and defended our unprecedented win before the Mass State Gaming Commission as they sought to skirt the legislation as Co-chair of No Eastie Casino from 2011 through 2014. In 2016 - I led a ballot question opposition and travelled the state to defend our economy against initiatives sponsored by international dark money interests.
While civic engagement and investing in the quality of life of my friends, neighbors and community are important to me - they come an extremely close second to my role as Mom, Step Mom, Wife, caretaker, daughter, sister and aunt to my family. Selfishly I am involved because I want to ensure the quality of life for my family and anyone they might cross paths with. I want to show my daughters, nieces, nephews and young people that you can be and do anything. That nothing is insurmountable and together - we are better than we are apart. That outlook extends outside of my family and into my community.
As a first generation American and latch key kid who started my own family at a young age, I recognize the value of ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to live, work, raise a family and be successful – whatever that means to them.
As someone whose grandparents hailed from the greatest generation – I have the utmost respect for our veterans of yesterday and today. Those same grandparents who toiled in the factories and mills, earning piece work wages and taking on 2 and 3 jobs at a time, while providing in every way for their family – gave me my affection for every single working person who have literally built and continue to sustain our nation by the sweat of their brow and relentless determination.
As someone who believes it truly takes a collaborative community focused mind set to make up the heart, soul and really life of a community – I get involved.
I serve on the Citizens Advisory Commission on Climate, because I believe it is my responsibility to contribute to the well-being of my community. As a solution focused problem solver, I believe that there is an attainable path to resilience and security for our coastal town.
I serve on the Winthrop Commission for Diversity Inclusion and Community relations – because I know that when our neighbors feel seen, heard, welcome, safe and secure - we all do.
I love Winthrop for so many of the reasons that a lot of folks do. It is a town full of beauty and possibility. I love it for it’s coastal charm and resilience. I love it for it’s diversity and accessibility. I love Winthrop for all the things that it is, and can be.
We are still very early on in this election and I hope to meet as many residents as possible as I am out and about in the community. I want to learn about you, your goals and needs and vision for our beautiful town. I want to get to know one another and to earn your support and more importantly, your trust.
I’ll likely only make one campaign promise along the way – that is to make sure that I am available, accessible and that every time I engage on behalf of council business, I will do so with the singular goal of representing each and every constituent to the best of my ability.
My Key Issues
Disaster recovery and resilience
Winthrop is facing $80,000,000 in anticipated costs to address existing infrastructure and pending climate concerns. As a member of Winthrop's Citizens Advisory Commission on Climate, we have put together the framework to name the hot spot impacts, begin to identify solutions and seek resources to to address these concerns.
Economic Development
Winthrop is a wonderful community that rallies to ensure that the needs of its residents and those that look after them are tended to. That being said, we need new and more revenue streams that do not consist of continuously and primarily rely on property taxes and additional contributions. We need to support our local businesses, maximize partnerships with local entities like MWRA and MassPort to garner infrastructure support we need and make sure that others from outside of town know that we are open for business and that they can spend their recreation, tourism and discretionary funds here!
Transportation
Winthrop is a small, working class community - that is always on the go. In order to keep Winthrop moving we need truly effective and safe multi modal transit opportunities. This means - streets that are maintained in good repair, more and more effective public transit options, walkable streets and alternatives to carbon based modes that does not pose a hazard to those who choose it over traditional travel. Winthrop has a gorgeous coastline and enhancing accessibility for a safer way to utilize alternative transit options should be a priority for quality of life, to organically decrease carbon based transit and to enhance our tourist based economy and experiences. I cannot underscore enough how we need to forge and maximize engagement with the MBTA and DOT who have a responsibility to ensure that Winthrop is well served.
Send Me a Message
Have questions or suggestions? I would love to hear from you!