紐英崙遡源公所慶蛇年新春 第31屆全美懇親回台山

紐英崙遡源公所宗親、嘉賓和瑞獅合影。(周菊子攝)

右起，鄺國彬，方柳君，雷展灝，鄺炎彬，鄺元傑，陳文珊，Paul，Erin Murphy，Aaron Michlewitz，鄺劍峰，陳孔恩，Ed Flynn，
黃楚嵐，雷國輝，高家富，黃耀良。(周菊子攝)

遡源公所宗親敬酒。(周菊子攝)

              (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 紐英崙遡源公所3月30日在帝苑大酒樓慶祝蛇年新春，近300名雷、方、鄺3姓宗親和到賀僑團、政要在欣賞歌舞、功夫表演，頒發獎學金勉勵學子，奉上利是向耆英致敬中歡度一晚，會中並預告第31屆懇親會訂11月在台山舉行。

紐英崙遡源公所宗親和嘉賓頒發獎學金，今年共有15名學子得獎。(周菊子攝)

              慶祝會由宗親方柳君、鄺劍峰夫人 (陳文珊)主持，美東國術總會胡衛正率一大兩小3瑞獅採青獻桔發糖果。年逾80的主席鄺元傑宣讀嘉賓名單後，年僅

遡源主席鄺元傑獎勵表演功夫和街舞的小朋友鄺以琛和Lionel Yu, Max Yu。(周菊子攝)

40出頭的主席雷展灝以中文簡短開場，以英文致歡迎詞，解釋蛇年意味著拋開阻礙，重新開始，也是拋開那些對現實目標已無意義的過往規則，以新視角來更新事務，使之更為合理，並更自由的獲取資源，謀求發揮。

              麻州眾議會財政委員會主席麥家威 (Aaron Michlewitz)致詞時笑說要謝謝雷展灝，給他上了小小一課蛇年意義。他也感謝所有在座者持續支持華埠社區。

              這晚到賀的宗親嘉賓有來自紐約的美國遡源總堂主席雷振澤，副主席方錫光，議員方國忠，雷仕銘，大埠原宗公所主席鄺炳威，原宗義原鄺挺世，方榮煦等人。

遡源公所主席老中青三代同堂，左起鄺元傑，雷展灝，鄺炎彬。(周菊子攝)

                         本地到賀嘉賓有麻州眾議會財政委員會主席麥家威 (Aaron Michlewitz)，波士頓市議員愛德華費連 (Ed Flynn)，Erin Murphy，麻州參議員Nick Collins的代表，波士頓警察局社區參與總監陳孔恩，以及波士頓經文處組長黃耀良，僑教中心主任高家富等人。

              遡源總堂主席雷振澤應邀致詞時表示，值此金龍獻歲，銀蛇迎春的萬家團圓，喜慶時間，他代表遡源堂獻上祝福。過去一年充滿挑戰與機遇，幸而宗親支持，克服了困難，期盼新年帶來新希望，遡源更加團結。

美東國術總會麾下的胡清白鶴派醒獅團的小朋友，表演一樣出色。

              既是紐英崙中華公所主席，也是遡源公所顧問的雷國輝澤指出，遡源公所復會至今41年，一直和紐英崙中華公所各僑團合作無間，致力穩定僑社，他代表兩機構感謝所有人。

年僅六、七歲的小朋友只練了一、二年，就表演得像模像樣。

              波士頓僑教中心主任高家富特地引述遡源公所內掛著的對聯，「溯初宗族開三姓，繁衍子孫聚一堂」，稱許遡源公所人才濟濟，事業成功者比比皆是，尤其是紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝，更是好榜樣，服務社區的成績，眾人有目共睹。他代表僑教中心、僑委會祝遡源公所會務昌隆。

              當晚抽獎環節的獎品，幾乎都由遡源公所經商的宗親捐贈，佐證了高家富主任的讚許，包括前主席鄺國彬捐出他在Allston新開「豆腐故事」餐廳的優待券，華埠林肯街上蘭州拉麵店東鄺滿雄捐優待券，溫莎餅家店東雷活洪捐餅券，開設美容護膚公司的方柳君捐出5份各100元的禮券等等。

鄺元傑介紹嘉賓。

              30日中午，13名從美國遡源總堂，原宗公所來的宗親，加上本地宗親共約60人，在哈佛街紐英崙遡源公所會址祭祖，由紐英崙主席團的雷展灝、鄺元傑、鄺炎彬，以及總堂的雷振澤、方錫光，和源宗公所主席鄺炳威，全美遡源總堂永遠顧問雷國輝、鄺國添等人主祭，向祖先虔誠敬拜。雷展灝、方錫光、雷國輝和鄺國添等人並分別致詞，祝福宗親乙已蛇年人人身體健康，會務昌隆。

議員們送表揚狀。右起，Aaron Michlewitz，鄺元傑、雷展灝，Ed Flynn，
Erin Murphy，鄺炎彬，Paul。(周菊子攝)

                       祭祖儀式禮畢後，紐英崙溯源公所送上敬老金給80歲以上宗親，有80至90歲者10人，90以上者3人，其中的鄺植燊更是今年剛好100歲。

鄺元傑報告，全美遡源堂第31届懇親代表大會訂今年10月31日至11月5日在中國台山碧桂園舉行，請宗親踴躍報名参加。他還解說了報名辦法，旅费津贴，以及本地公所、總堂今年將换届選舉等事项。(更新訂正版)

主席雷展灝致歡迎詞。(周菊子攝)

遡源總堂主席雷振澤。(周菊子攝)

紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝說紐英崙遡源復會41年。

大埠原宗公所主錫鄺炳威致詞。(周菊子攝)

波士頓經文處組長黃耀良致詞。(周菊子攝

波士頓僑教中心主任高家富稱許溯源公所人才濟濟。(周菊子攝)

麻州眾議會財政委員會主席Aaron Michlewitz致詞。(周菊子攝)

司儀陳文珊(左起)、方柳君陪同鄺元傑宣佈，敬老利是當天中午祭祖時已派發。

90歲以上遡源宗親雷晚年。(周菊子攝)

遡源主席鄺炎彬、以及曾任洪門主席的鄺國添都是洪門兄弟。

余麗媖(右三)離席時被拉上台合唱。(周菊子攝)

宴會散場時，黃國威(右)和雷玉霞上台獻唱，有賓客湊趣獻花。

右起，鄺國彬、鄺炎彬、鄺國添和雷活洪都是遡源熱心宗親。

波士頓城中區又一棟大樓以低於原價80%價格售出

               (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 波士頓市又有一棟大樓以80%折扣出售，繼林肯街一號大樓之後，這回是華盛頓街399號，空置已將近20年的城中區舊巴諾書店 (Barnes & Noble)，售價1300萬美元，大概是2017年售價的20%。

              買家是波士頓的乞臣集團 (Hudson Group)和紐約的集會投資 (Assembly Investments)。

              這種商業大廈以超低價出售的趨勢如果持續的話，對極端仰賴物業稅波士頓市預算恐將打擊甚大。不過新買家Noam Ron 和Evan Oscar估計，這也意味著他們可以把租金降低到真正能夠吸引租客進駐的程度。這棟大樓的地面一樓，從2006年起一直空置。

              華盛頓街號原本由一個家族持有了數十年，直到2017年，來自芝加哥的LaSalle投資管理公司和L3資本以6300萬元把它買了下來。這2家公司接著投資數以百萬元計的經費，整體翻新，安裝了洗手間，電梯，新的機械及冷暖氣系統。它們拆除了多年來懸掛在大樓入口處的2層樓灰石板，換上高大的金屬框玻璃窗，而且在2021年完成翻新之前就開始銷售這大樓的零售業空間。

              但是在一直沒找到租客，新冠病毒疫情之後，市場迄今仍然疲弱，沒有租金收入之下，這棟大樓最終落得以買價求售的處境。

              以大折扣買下新翻修大樓的可能，吸引來幾名投資者，包括塞爾特人隊明星Jaylen Brown，不過乞臣集團和集會投資贏了競標，並計畫以每平方英尺40元，比城中區B及辦公室空間的典型租金還低7到10元，也比前業主想要收的少20元的價格招租。他們還打算為地面一樓找零售商，重訂地面以上樓層的辦公室租金，為這一帶的物業，帶來數十年來前所未見的蓬勃生氣。

麻州府撥款85萬元支持學校及托兒中心營養餐

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $850,000 for Locally Grown, Nutritious Food in Schools and Child Care Centers 

After Trump Administration cut funding, MA FRESH grants awarded to 26 school districts, 11 early education programs 

BOSTON – On the heels of the Trump Administration cancelling the federal Fiscal Year 2025 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program, the Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced it is awarding $850,000 in state-funded, competitive Massachusetts Farming Reinforces Education and Student Health (FRESH) grants to 26 school districts and 11 early education and care programs. This funding supports National School Lunch Program and Child and Adult Care Food Program sponsors to start or expand their capacity to grow or procure local food and educate students, teachers, school nutrition professionals and staff about the local food system.  

“While the Trump Administration continues to take away food from children and families, and hurt local businesses and farmers, Massachusetts is continuing to prioritize programs like these,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We know that our students succeed when they have access to healthy food, and we can create partnerships that support local businesses and farms in the process.” 

"Visiting farms and agricultural businesses across Massachusetts has given me a deep appreciation for the dedication it takes to sustain our local food system," said Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll. “The MA FRESH grants help provide students with hands-on experiences and ensure schools have the resources they need to invest in our local food economy by purchasing food produced here.” 

"It’s important for students to understand where food comes from and how it is produced and prepared. The MA FRESH grants are an important tool that connect students to their local food system and produce, while also providing STEM educational opportunities focused on food literacy, nutrition, plant science and agriculture,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. 

“All children deserve access to nutritious food, not only essential for health and well-being, but also fuel for learning. This grant program helps our youngest learners explore where their food comes from, how it is prepared, and what a nutritious meal looks like – contributing to rich and healthy relationships with food while building community with local farmers and the larger food system. These funds will help support child care and out-of-school-time providers to create innovative ways to inspire future generations of farmers, chefs, plant biologists, and nutritionists,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. 

Funds can be used for infrastructure and programming for curricular and extracurricular activities, such as school gardens, indoor hydroponic growing systems, culinary classes and farm field trips. It also supports professional development for nutrition professionals to enhance school meal offerings and professional development for educators to bring food literacy activities or curriculum to students. Further, the funding can be used for kitchen equipment for preparing unprocessed or minimally processed local foods for school meals and to support new staff salaries, stipends or consultant fees to ensure activities are strategically integrated into the classroom, cafeteria and community. 

“We are delighted to see a diversity of programs and communities receive funding to further food education opportunities, enhance school meals with local foods, and establish food literacy programs in schools and early education programs. We are thankful to our Massachusetts legislators for making these funds available to schools and early education programs across the Commonwealth to do this important work,” said Simca Horwitz, co-director of Massachusetts Farm to School. 

The state FY25 recipients: 

MA FRESH 

• Billerica Public School District: $16,668 

• Boston Public School District: $30,000 

• Brockton Day Nursery, Inc: $30,000 

• Brockton Public School District: $20,000 

• Chicopee Public School District: $1,985 

• Communities United, Inc: $21,112 

• Community Action, Inc: $28,053 

• Dennis-Yarmouth Public School District: $26,870 

• East End House: $29,214 

• Gill-Montague Public School District: $27,540 

• Hatfield Public School District : $3,848 

• Leominster Public School District: $10,565 

• Lowell Public School District: $30,000 

• Merrimack Valley Young Men’s Christian Association, Inc: $20,785 

• New Bedford Public School District: $28,054 

• North Middlesex Public School District: $6,550 

• Orange Public School District: $6,710 

• Oxford Public School District: $2,950 

• People Incorporated: $22,871 

• Provincetown Public School District: $8,000 

• South Shore YMCA: $21,648 

• Taunton Public School District: $29,985 

• Westford Public School District: $16,600 

• Whitman-Hanson Public School District: $30,000 

• Worcester Public School District: $30,000 

MA FRESH - Coordination and Optimization of Resources and Partnerships 

• Acton-Boxborough Public School District: $28,961 

• Boston Public School District: $48,316 

• Bristol County Agricultural Public School District: $35,420 

• Chicopee Public School District: $16,620 

• Collaborative for Regional Educational Service and Training: $14,950 

• Crispus Attucks Children’s Center: $17,600 

• Frontier Public School District : $27,372 

• Gloucester Public School District: $16,075 

• MetroWest YMCA: $15,023 

• Nauset Regional Public School District: $17,700 

• Northampton Public School District: $15,125 

• Robbins Children’s Programs, Inc: $26,591 

• Salem Public School District: $44,039 

• Watertown Public School District: $26,200 

麻州長Healey稱川普總統應注重讓人民生活更容易

          (Boston Orange 編譯) 川普總統在宣佈額外關稅時稱週三將是”解放日(Liberation Day)。麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）發出聲明，指川普總統當然不會讓人們從高成本解脫，反而會把稅賦家在美國家庭和企業身上，也意味著從住宅，到車輛、到雜貨，到能源，所有東西的成本都會更高。

奚莉州長表示，人們已經看到經濟上的負面影響，成長減緩，股市下跌，衰退的可能上升。川普總統應該把重心放在讓人們的生活變得更容易，更可負擔，而不是加稅，和鄰居對抗。

Governor Healey on President Trump’s Liberation Day: “He’s Not Liberating Us From High Costs” 

President is proposing taxes on Americans families and businesses, driving up the cost of housing, cars, groceries, energy and more 

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey issued the following statement on President Trump’s pledge that Wednesday will be “Liberation Day” as he announces additional tariffs. 

“President Trump claims Wednesday will be ‘Liberation Day,’ but he certainly isn’t liberating us from high costs. Instead, he’s putting a tax on American families and businesses, and it will mean higher costs on everything from housing to cars to groceries to energy. We’re already seeing the negative impacts on our economy – growth is slowing, the stock market is tanking, and odds of a recession are rising. President Trump should be focused on making life easier and more affordable for people, not increasing taxes and picking fights with our allies.” 

哈佛也辭退中東研究中心主任 美國高等教育界面對多重挑戰

               (Boston Orange 綜合編譯 ) 先是塔芙茨大學一名博士國際學生被捕，然後哥倫比亞大學代理校長下台，耶魯大學開除一名研究學者，現在連哈佛大學也要中東研究中心主任也要在這學年結束時離任了。美國學術界開始面對來自聯邦政府的壓力與挑戰。

              川普政府仗恃的是1964年通過的民權法案第6章，禁止收受聯邦經費援助的活動，基於種族，膚色或國籍等因素歧視這條文，以及聯邦經費這把尚方寶劍。

              哈佛校方26日發出備忘錄，稱中東研究中心主任Cemal Kafadar將在這學年結束時卸任。有些猶太團體批評該中心辦的一些活動是反猶太主義的。

              哈佛學生校報The Harvard Crimson首先報導了這一變動，刊文引述來自知情者的消息，稱Kafadar和該中心副主任Rosie Bsheer被迫離職。

              週五 (28日)時，耶魯大學在調查副研究員Helyeh Doutaghi和被美國列為恐怖組織的”解放巴勒斯坦人民陣線 (PFLP)”之間關係一個月之後，開除了她。

              也在週五，哥倫比亞大學的代理校長被人指控反猶太主義，處理反以色列抗議不妥當數個月後，在面對聯邦經費刪減4億元下被撤換。

              哈佛大學早前另外發出備忘錄，計畫在週末和各中心主管晤談，以確保在校園內表達的各種觀點，都獲得保護。

              波士頓環球報稱哈佛校方、教授，以及正在放假的Kafadar都未回應。哈佛學生們也幾乎一致拒絕評論，表示不清楚狀況，擔心會說錯話。

              耶魯法學院在一份聲明中表示，Doutaghi被列為Samidoun巴勒斯坦獄犯團結網，這拜登政府列作為解放巴拉斯坦人民陣線籌款的假慈善團體的會員。耶魯表示，調查人員試圖和Doutaghi，以及她的律師晤談，但她們拒絕了。耶魯法學院發言人Alden Ferro表示，耶魯不會基於新聞報導就採取行政行動，也從未因為一個人的受保護言論做些甚麼，Doutaghi和耶魯的合約原本就今年4月到期，現在這因為她拒絕配合調查，合約立即中止。

              本月早前，全國律師協會 (National Lawyers Guild)代她貼文，其中包括她本人的聲明，稱美國進入異議遭鎮壓的”猶太復國主義的麥卡錫主義時代”，

波士頓大學「層層台灣」會議引人再想何為台灣

波士頓大學"層層臺灣"會議主持人Robert Weller(中)和國立臺灣歷史博物館
館長張隆志（左）、波士頓經文處教育組組長黃薳玉（右）。（周菊子攝）

             (Boston Orange

張隆志介紹國立台灣歷史博物館。(周菊子攝)

周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓大學 (BU) 亞洲研究中心3月27日舉辦會議，請來4名學者闡述「層層台灣：交織的過去與多重的未來 (Layered Taiwan: Interwoven Pasts and Multiple Futures)」，帶人從不同角度審視台灣。

             這場會議由波士頓大學人類學系教授  Robert Weller主持，波士頓經文處教育組組長黃薳玉代表教育部致詞。BU亞洲研究中心主任Robet Hefner也出席了開幕式。

             會議講者及講題，依序為國立臺灣歷史博物館館長張隆志的”呈現島國多重歷史:國立臺灣歷史博物館個案”，加拿大渥太華 (Ottawa)大學人類學系教授   Scott Simon   的”原住民語國家:台灣群島中的多層歷史”，哈佛大學東亞語言及文明系蔡承穎 (Catherine Tsai)的”成為日本人: 1960-1972八重山島上台灣僑民的入籍與記憶”，波士頓大學宗教系Daigengna Duoer的”分層主權:冷戰時期台灣的佛教舍利外交”。

年輕台灣學生現場提問。(周菊子攝)

加拿大渥太華 (Ottawa)大學人類學系教授Scott Simon (左)談
”原住民語國家:台灣群島中的多層歷史”(周 菊子攝)

             張隆志以座落在台南市安南區的國立台灣歷史博物館為例，闡述台灣在1684年被併入清朝版圖之前，就有來自各方人士在那兒交流，居住的歷史淵源，現有館藏15萬件。2011年該館建成，旨在戒嚴時代結束後，懷抱”在世界中的臺灣”這觀點，以更平等角度研究屬於每一個人的台灣。該館的”斯土、斯民”常設展覽，講述從史前到當代，各種人在台灣交流的故事。2021年，該館再推出”交會之島”的新常設展覽，描繪新觀點與台灣的”民主印記”，鼓勵人們藉由當代及社會議題辯論，來”共筆歷史”，並以博物館資源來推動文化平等臺灣價值。

             該館還製作了分成6各單元的動態版”臺灣簡史” (https://ilhaformosa.nmth.gov.tw/home/zh-tw/00-1)。

 Scott Simon稱蔡英文時代重視和解。(周菊子攝)

             Scott Simon從” 台灣原住民歷史視野中的和解與共生 (Reconciliation and Symbiosis from historical perspectives of Taiwan's Indigenous People)”的角度做闡述，探討誰才是台灣的原住民，這些人在形成東亞中的歷史腳色，和解與共生的挑戰與可能性有哪些。

 Scott Simon稱，賴清德時代又有不同觀點。(周菊子攝)

             他從不同時代由不同族群所繪製的台灣地圖，強調不同重點為例，指當代原住民從1999年以來，一直面對著主權誰屬的政治難題。例如陳水扁時期講究主權，以及國對國關係，蔡英文時期重視和解，馬英九時代則避而不談。

             這場會議出席的人不多，但吸引了麻省理工學院亞洲文明系教授鄧津華 (Emma Teng)等學者出席。一名來自台灣年輕學生的發問，則彰顯了即使在台灣之內，到底該怎麼解讀臺灣，何謂臺灣人仍是許多人心中難解的糾結。 (更新版)

 Scott Simon說鵝鑾鼻燈塔上的雙語告示，透露許多訊息。

會議現場。(周菊子攝)

麻州長Healey簽字 政府公眾會議在2027年前可合法以實體加網路形式舉行

            (Boston Orange 編譯) 麻州州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) 今(28)日簽署「延長緊急狀態期間採取的某些 COVID-19 措施法案」，允許州及市鎮政府的公眾會議，在2027年6月30日以前，都可以網路及實體並用方式舉行。

奚莉州長和Kim Driscoll副州長強調，政府在新冠病毒疫情期間觀察到，網路及實體會議同步進行，可以擴大民眾參與政府事務程度，增加政府與民眾之間的意見交流，他們簽署這法案，旨在提高民主參與，給民眾更大機會，無障礙，公平的參與公眾會議，去除因為交通、照顧兒童，或身體殘疾等因素造成的參與公共事務障礙。

麻州眾議會議長Ronald J. Mariano和參議會議長Karen E. Spilka都支持這一法案。

 2025 年初，奚莉州長和副州長 Driscoll 還提出了《市政賦權法案》，要讓這些混合遠端和實體的會議形式，成為永久性的選擇之一。

紅襪隊2025球季排定4月4日開賽 捕手Connor Wong在列

圖片來自維基百科。

           (Boston Orange編譯) 波士頓紅襪隊的2025年球季將於4月4日下午2點10分，以紅襪隊在芬衛 (Fenway)球場和聖路易樞機主教隊 (Cardinals)對決，拉開序幕。

             2025棒球大聯盟球季從3月27日開打，部分球隊的開季賽訂在4月4日。

             在2024年賽季中，紅襪隊打了126場球，成績起起伏伏，結算下來，有如半贏半輸的平淡無奇。球迷們都期待跨入2025年，情況能夠好轉。

             在連續3年都沒打季後賽之際，紅襪隊有不小變動，包括換了投手，從芝加哥白襪隊挖來Garrett Crochet，和無經紀人的內野手Alex Bregman簽下3年合約，還以一年合約簽下投手Walker Buehler。這些都給紅襪隊2025表現更佳帶來希望。

             在棒球大聯盟 (MLB)的30多支球隊中，擠身成為最有可能打進2025年世界盃系列的10大球隊之一，2025的紅襪隊仍然被人視為一隻強勁隊伍。

             紅襪隊日前公佈了開季賽的球員組合，投手有Walker Buehler，Garrett Crochet，Richard Fitts，Sean Newcomb，Tanner Houck等5人，後援人員有Brennan Bernardino，Aroldis Chapman，Liam Hendriks，Zack Kelly，Justin Slaten，Greg Weissert，Garrett Whitlock，Justin Wilson等8人。捕手有Carlos Narváez和Connor Wong。內野手有Alex Bregman，Kristian Campbell，Triston Casas，Rafael Devers，Romy Gonzalez，David Hamilton，Trevor Story等7人，外野手有Wilyer Abreu，Jarren Duran，Ceddanne Rafaela，Rob Refsnyder等4人。

             波士頓環球報形容Connor Wong去年在進攻端令人印象深刻，但在防守端卻在阻擋和框架方面苦苦掙扎。

             根據維基百科，Connor Wong現年28歲，身高5尺10吋，約178公分，在德州休士頓出生，2021年6月首次在棒球大聯盟中出現。他既是捕手，也是外野手。2020年2月加入紅襪隊，2023年成為紅襪隊的主捕手，

             雖然Connor Wong從姓氏看，或是從維基百科上他的全名為Connor Sun-Han Wong (譯音可為王深翰)來看，他應是華人，但網上迄今並無他確實是華人的說法。網上也有中國大陸曾和他接觸，邀請他為中國打球，他也願意，但新冠疫情耽擱了這事。

麻州參議會「她的故事」第3輯將豎Abugail Adams和Elizabeth Freeman半身雕像 展91婦女先驅圖片

                    (Boston Orange 綜合報導) 麻州參議會議長Karen Spilka 3月27日宣佈，將委請藝術家製作女權領袖兼總統顧問的美國前第一夫人Abigail Adams，以及在麻州成功爭取自由的首名非洲裔婦女Elizabeth Freeman的半身雕像，並永久豎立在麻州參議會議事廳內。展出91名婦女圖片的「她的故事」第3輯，同時揭幕。

                 麻州參議會為彰顯女權，從2023年起推出「她的故事」系列。2025年由參議會藝術委員會主席Julian Cyr負責承辦，以開拓者和顛覆者為主題，推出「她的故事」展覽，並製作將永久豎立在參議會議事廳內的婦女半身雕像，藉以表揚對麻州有重大影響的女性。

                曾任總統顧問的前美國第一夫人Abigail Adams和首名興訟爭取到個人自由的非洲裔婦女Elizabeth Freeman，從300多被提名者中獲選為製作半身雕像的對象。她們兩人的雕像將成為麻州參議會議事廳內的首座婦女雕像。

                  彰顯對形塑麻州歷史有貢獻的「她的故事」展覽，將在參議會儀式辦公室掛出包括首位出版詩集並支持美國爭取獨立的非洲裔婦女Phillis Wheatley，擁護工人權益並成為首位在總統內閣工作的婦女 Frances Perkins，麻州議會新聞服務首名婦女發行人，也是首名女性麻州眾議員的Elberta Futrelle Copeland，倡議精神健康及關注大屠殺，在位時間最長的麻州第一夫人 Kitty Dukakis，以及反種族隔離的麻州最高法院首名女性首席大法官  Margaret H. Marshall等91位打破玻璃天花板，成為領袖及模範的著名婦女照片。

Senate selects Abigail Adams, Elizabeth Freeman to be First Woman Busts in State House

Announcement comes as HERstory: Volume III unveiled in Senate President’s Office 

BOSTON (3/27/2025) — Today, Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka announced that busts of women’s rights leader and presidential advisor Abigail Adams, as well as freedom fighter Elizabeth Freeman, the first enslaved woman to successfully sue for her freedom in the United States of America, will be commissioned and placed in the Massachusetts Senate Chamber.   

Adams and Freeman will be the first permanent busts depicting women in the Massachusetts State House, and the first in the Senate Chamber’s collection of sculptures.  

The announcement came alongside the unveiling of HERstory Volume III: Trailblazers and Disruptors, a photo exhibition in the Senate President’s office honoring women who have shaped Massachusetts.   

“Whether by accident or design, the contributions of women who have shaped our Commonwealth and nation have too long been absent from State House art,” said Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “Today we raise up Abigail Adams and Elizabeth Freeman as trailblazers and leaders who should rightfully be honored in the Senate Chamber. Their presence will help us send a clear message to every woman who walks our halls: you belong here. I am deeply grateful to Senator Cyr for his leadership, and to the Senate Art Committee members for lending their expertise to a Senate that strives for better representation.” 

“Representation is not meant to be a crumb. The decision to place busts of two women in the Senate chamber is a meaningful testament to the extraordinary contributions of scores of women to our Commonwealth,” said Senator Julian Cyr (D-Cape and Islands), Chair of the Senate Art Committee. This marks an important step in our ongoing work to recognize the women and individuals who have shaped Massachusetts but have too often been overlooked in our history books. It has been an honor and a privilege to chair the Senate Art Committee through this spirited yet rigorous process, and I’m grateful for Senate President Spilka’s vision of a Senate that more closely reflects the diversity that has defined our Commonwealth.”  

Elizabeth Freeman, born into slavery in New York around 1744, became the first African American woman to successfully sue for her freedom in Massachusetts. Inspired by the promise of liberty in the Massachusetts Constitution, her 1781 case, Brom and Bett v. Ashley, helped establish that slavery was incompatible with the state’s founding principles. After gaining her freedom, Freeman became a respected healer and midwife, later securing her place in history as a trailblazer for civil rights.  

Abigail Adams, known for urging the Founding Fathers to “remember the ladies,” was an early advocate for women’s rights and education. As a trusted advisor to her husband, President John Adams, she managed their household and finances while influencing political discourse through her letters.  

Adams and Freeman were the top two choices of the Senate, where members selected them from four finalists chosen by the Senate Art Committee out of a pool of over 300 nominations submitted by Massachusetts residents. Committee members selected the finalists following a series of public meetings.  

The Art Committee will now select an artist to create the sculpture. It will be only the third piece of art in the Senate honoring a woman leader, joining portraits of Abigail Adams and former Senate President Therese Murray, and the twenty-second permanent piece of art honoring a woman in the State House.  

Spilka unveils HERstory Volume III: Trailblazers and Disruptors 

The selection was announced during an event unveiling volume three of the HERstory exhibit, which highlights the women who have shaped Massachusetts history by placing their photos on the walls of the Senate President’s ceremonial office, covering photos of past Senate Presidents.   

Women included in the exhibit are Massachusetts’ trailblazers and disruptors—who have shattered glass ceilings and become leaders and role models for women who now follow in their footsteps—as a reminder that Massachusetts is a state of ‘firsts’ in so many ways.  

Ninety-one women cover the photos of 91 prior Senate Presidents, and among others, include:   

• Phillis Wheatley, the first African American author of a published book of poetry and a strong supporter of America's fight for independence 
• Frances Perkins, workers' rights advocate and first woman to serve in a presidential Cabinet 
• Elberta Futrelle Copeland, first woman publisher of the State House News Service and first woman to step foot on the floor of the Massachusetts House of Representatives 
• Kitty Dukakis, longest-serving First Lady of Massachusetts and advocate for mental health and Holocaust awareness 
• Margaret H. Marshall, anti-apartheid activist and first woman to serve as Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court  

The new art is the latest step in Senate President Spilka’s effort to expand representation in the State House and comes on the heels of last year’s installment of Frederick Douglass’ bust in the Senate Chamber, and the addition of a portrait of Abigail Adams in the Senate Lobby.