羅德島州華人葉超、吳子平獲美國總統義工服務金獎

國際領袖基金會創會會長董繼玲(右一)頒發美國總統義工服務金獎給葉超
(右二)，吳子平(左二)。左一為國際領袖基金會創辦人Joel Szabat。

                        (Boston Orange 羅德島州報導)國際領袖基金會 (ILF)10月17日在羅德島州中央瀑布市河畔舉辦露天盛會，頒發總統義工服務金獎表揚葉超、吳子平，並邀羅德島州州長麥基(Daniel McKee)做主題演講，頒特別獎表揚10名該會有功於社會的會長等人。

              葉超和吳子平兩人還在會上代表10個華人教會合作舉辦的”愛心音樂見證會”，把共籌得8萬元平分給八個幫助弱勢群體非牟利機構的最後1萬元支票，捐給羅德島州普域敦斯救援任務(Providence Rescue Mission)。

羅德島州州長Daniel McKee頒發特別獎給國際領袖基金會各分會會長，幹部後合影

國際領袖基金會是全國亞裔總商會執行長董繼玲和創辦人Joel Szabat於22年前創辦，旨在培育政商各界下一代亞裔領袖的非牟利組織，迄今已在全美設有20個以上分會。

董繼玲表示，該會所有分會的會長，成員，在各行各業各有成就，卻都熱心服務，願意為社區奉獻，新英格蘭分會的共同會長葉超和吳子平在羅德島州從經營餐館到服務教會，社區，進而成為土地發展商，擴大亞裔的在地影響力，更是其中的極佳例證。該會為能有這些社區領袖共襄盛舉，感到光榮無比。日前她應邀進白宮晤見拜登總統和哈里斯副總統，談及新冠病毒對中小企業的衝擊，反亞裔仇恨犯罪對亞裔社區人心、士氣的打擊。她語帶提醒的強調，在此時刻，亞裔、華人團結合作，獻身公益，對美國的繁榮、復甦也更為重要。

羅德島州州長Daniel McKee發表講話

羅德島州州長麥基在會上也點名感謝香港大澳出生的葉超，吳子平，把他們私人的國際關係帶給了羅德島州，讓羅德島州在疫情期間獲得20多萬片口罩，又曾組團赴台，開發商機，爭取龍舟，還每年頒發獎學金鼓勵年輕學子。他們的以身作則，為公益奉獻，是他很願意和國際領袖基金會合作的主要原因。麥基也簡述在他的州長任內，羅德島州曾是全美疫情最嚴重的前三州，但經由全州39個市鎮的通力合作，如今是全美疫情最輕的二個州之一，新冠病毒疫苗接種比率也排名全美第三，羅德島州的復甦程度排名全美第四。他鼓勵大家翻查該州最新推出，長55頁的羅德島2030計畫，到該州做生意，旅遊，參觀。

羅德島州中央瀑布市前市長James Diossa(右起)代表現任市長送上市鑰給
國際領袖基金會執行長董繼玲、創辦人Joel Szabat夫婦。

在拜登政府執政後，甫卸任的前美國交通部政策副部長Joel Szabat這天應邀作特別講話。他說明，國際領袖基金會的主要宗旨之一是鼓勵年輕一代亞裔積極參與公眾事務，培養領導能力，為社區、國家奉獻心力。讓人很高興的是，在該會成立之初，美國僅有3名亞裔國會議員，如今已有21位，成長了7倍。他進一步指出，美國的建立奠定在開國功臣們的二個基本原則上，一是人人平等，二是政府的權力來自其所管理人民的共識，而這也是美國吸引人的地方。他又引述林肯的話，指今日社會中對民主定義的左中右派等各種分歧見解，是人們面對的新挑戰，美國是否能再如過往般成功，要看包括亞裔的所有美國人民如何因應。

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長孫儉元、倪雪娥夫婦應邀出席觀禮，
和國際領袖基金會創會會長董繼玲，Joel Szabat合影

當天的活動由ILF主任黃靈輝主持，曾任中央瀑布市市長的James Diossa為開幕致詞，並代表該市現任市長Maria Rivera，送了一把市鑰給董繼玲、Joel Szabat。到會嘉賓包括駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長孫儉元、倪雪娥夫婦，羅德島州眾議員Barbara Ann Fenton-Fung及前任克蘭斯頓(Cranston)市市長馮偉傑夫婦。布朗大學學生董家睿代表公民事務領袖學員，北阿圖孛羅高中學生李美恩代表青年領袖學院學員致詞。

 獲羅德島州州長麥基頒給特別獎的，有國際領袖基金會創會會長董繼玲，前述2名新英格蘭分會共同會長，底特律分會孔慶超，紐約分會黃亞村，奧蘭多分會嚴培達，西雅圖分會吳小燕，北卡分會陳海娜等，以及亞洲分會榮譽會長陳銘達。

會議在羅德島州黑石河畔舉行，現場擺有台灣捐贈的龍舟，氣勢非凡。

羅德島州州長Daniel McKee(左二)和葉超(左一)、吳子平(右一)把10,000元支票捐給
羅德島州普域敦斯救援任務(Providence Rescue Mission)，由Shawn Crew牧師代表接受。

波士頓中華民俗藝術工作坊學員應邀出席觀摩。

會議共有近百人出席。

Lydia Edwards endorsed by UAW Region 9A, Iron Workers Local 7, and Massachusetts State Council of Machinists

Lydia Edwards endorsed by UAW Region 9A, Iron Workers Local 7, and Massachusetts State Council of Machinists

Edwards is a longstanding member of UAW Local 2320 

BOSTON – Lydia Edwards has been endorsed in the special election to State Senate by: the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, UAW Region 9A; International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental & Reinforcing Iron Workers Local 7; and the Massachusetts State Council of Machinists. Primary Election Day is December 14, 2021. General Election Day is January 11, 2022.

“We are excited to endorse one of our own members, Lydia Edwards, for the First Suffolk and Middlesex Senate Seat,” said Beverley Brakeman, Regional Director for UAW Region 9A. “Beginning with her amazing work at Greater Boston Legal Services, under UAW Local 2320, to her time in the Boston City Council, Lydia has always been a champion of working people. Lydia’s focus on progressive values and her inclusive style of leadership is what has made her so successful. Lydia cares deeply about the issues we advocate for every day – the right to organize, worker protections, affordable housing, food security, healthcare, and more. We know that Lydia will push back against the system and address every issue through a lens of equity, justice, and transparency. UAW Region 9A will stand behind Lydia all the way to the State House.”

“Residents of Boston and all of Massachusetts' cities and towns are finding it difficult to make ends meet in this global economy and troubling times,” said Daniel McWilliams, President of Iron Workers Local 7. “We know that Lydia understands our views and will continue in that same manner protecting the working families of tomorrow. We need more people like Lydia that are willing to do the hard work required, such as bringing people together to have challenging conversations.”

The Massachusetts State Council is part of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, representing more than 1,500 machinists in Greater Boston. The State Council of Machinists voted unanimously to endorse Lydia Edwards, saying of Lydia:

“The Executive Board members of the Massachusetts State Council of Machinists feel that you are the one candidate in the race that will represent the issues and challenges that are facing the working families of our Union and those in Massachusetts. Thank you for demonstrating to us that you have the ambition and courage to stand up for working people. We fully support you in your campaign.”

The UAW Region 9A proudly serves over 30,000 active and retired members in all the New England states, New York City, and Puerto Rico. Their membership is very diverse, including legal aid attorneys and staff, technical and office professionals, childcare workers, graduate student workers and postdoctoral researchers, auto repair technicians, museum and cultural institution workers, draftsmen and women, light manufacturing workers, casino dealers and more.

Lydia Edwards is a fierce advocate for workers’ rights. In the Senate, she’ll continue her strong record of passing legislation and delivering resources and results for working people. As a member of the United Auto Workers, Lydia knows the power of a union, but she also knows that every worker, organized or not, deserves dignity, fair compensation and freedom from harassment in the workplace. Lydia Edwards has stood with workers in the hospitality industry, service workers at Logan Airport, student workers in our higher education system, teachers, Brazilian immigrant workers and many others.

Lydia Edwards is a candidate for State Senate representing the First Suffolk and Middlesex District, following the departure of Senator Joseph A. Boncore. For a full and up-to-date list of endorsements, visit: LydiaEdwards.org/endorsements

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES CREATION OF NEW POSITION TO HIRE FIRST FULL-TIME, IN-HOUSE ASL INTERPRETER

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES CREATION OF NEW POSITION TO HIRE FIRST FULL-TIME, IN-HOUSE ASL INTERPRETER

 

BOSTON - Wednesday, October 20, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey today announced that the City is now accepting applications to hire its first full-time, in-house American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreter as part of the COVID-19 equity in recovery efforts. This unique governmental position will significantly increase access to City communications for members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. Mayor Janey announced the City would create this position at the City of Boston’s annual Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Day celebration in July.   “This new position adds to all of the City’s efforts to ensure access and equity for every Boston resident with any type of disability as Boston continues to reopen,” Mayor Janey said. “From distributing clear face masks to front line workers so residents who rely on lip-reading and facial cues could communicate with others, to distributing ramps to restaurants so that people with mobility impairments could access on-street outdoor dining, the City of Boston is committed to accessibility and inclusion.”    ASL is mainly used by people in the United States who identify as “Deaf” (with a capital D). The capital D signifies that they were born deaf and/or they are part of the Deaf Culture. ASL is an integral piece of Deaf Culture, and it is used mainly by people who grow up using it as their primary language. ASL is its own complete language, wholly different from spoken English.    “During the pandemic, communication from government officials was more frequent and more important than ever,” said Disability Commissioner Kristen McCosh. “The situation and our response to it was changing regularly. Real-time access to updated information in residents’ primary language was a matter of life-and-death. We are proud that we were able to secure ASL interpretation for 100% of the Mayor’s COVID-19 press conferences during the state of emergency, but it has been difficult to sustain that success rate. Our Deaf and Hard of Hearing neighbors deserve better, and this position will allow us to do better.”   The ASL Interpreter position will be responsible for providing live interpretation/transliteration during Mayoral press conferences as well as public events and meetings. In addition, the Interpreter will produce signed videos translating Boston.gov webpages and other text-based online content.    The position has been posted on the City of Boston’s Career Center and can be viewed here.   ###

波士頓市長候選人電視辯論 吳弭民調領先30% 冷處理

NBC10電視辯論截圖

              (Boston Orange綜合報導) 波士頓市長選舉，跨入最後階段。19日晚是投票前三場電視轉播辯論中的第二場，辯論終於有了點火花，2名候選人互詰對方資產，成為最新話題，但在改善公共交通，公共治安，波士頓公校，”波士頓居大不易”這些對民生影響最大的議題上，並無任何新亮點。

波士頓市長候選人吳弭(左)、 Annissa Essaibi George(右)。

              NBC10電視台在轉播辯論後安排的媒體討論，普遍認為這場辯論依然乏味。Annissa Essaibi George 雖然採取攻勢，質疑得底氣不足。吳弭(Michelle Wu)仗持著最新民調的領先約30%，冷對攻擊，淡稱指控不實，並不深入解釋。

              10月13日的第1場電視辯論後，英文媒體或稱得到3點結論，或稱她們2人在政策上有4個不同點。10月19日的這第2場辯論，讓2名候選人互相提問，回答的安排，算新鮮，只是這2人的問答，似乎都點到為止，有點火花，卻一點也不激烈，也並沒讓選民對2人有了更多深入了解。

              Annissa Essaibi George採取攻勢，批評吳弭在波士頓考試學校這議題上，在不同社區講不同的話，前後不一致，讓地鐵免費的主張不切實際，控制租金會讓小房東難以維持，反而會惡化房屋市場環境。她

她還批評吳弭搶功，指催促波士頓市聘請更多精神健康門診醫師是她的功勞，不是吳弭的。不過吳弭回應道，這方面的工作早在Annissa Essaibi George加入議會之前，就已經開始了。

              關於考試學校一節，吳弭輕聲細語的表示，「那是不真的 (That is simply not true)」，簡而言之，考試學校的過程應該公平，公正，反映城市的多元性。Annissa Essaibi George追擊的說吳弭沒有回答為什麼她在不同社區的說詞不一。

              在”控制租金(rent control)”上，Annissa Essaibi George指波士頓曾經嘗試過，但失敗了。如果說要大膽，要給波士頓這城市一個大遠景，”控制租金”不是答案。

              吳弭回應道，她不會坐在那兒說那是不可能的事。要扶持，維繫小房東的生計，可以用減稅等其他方法。

              “租金控制”在最新的民調中，有將近60%的受訪者支持這提議。候選人電視辯論後的媒體討論也說，在波士頓市內租屋而居的人佔絕大多數，在城市豪華化，租金高漲的趨勢下，吳弭的這一提議，無論最終是否可行，以選舉策略而言，絕對是能贏得選票支持的主張。

在現場提問的媒體記者

              “租金控制”卻也正是波士頓市內，甚至波士頓市以外不少華人反對吳弭，呼籲支持Annissa Essaibi George的主要原因之一。

從郊區搬進波士頓的一位居民更是積極，不單只設立了一個約有              200人的微信群組，還洋洋灑灑寫了至少3篇長文，就租金控制，地鐵免費，考試學校取消考試會剝奪亞裔改變命運途徑，亞裔細分對亞裔不利等議題，闡述他為什麼不支持吳弭。

              該群組成員呼籲道，不要因為候選人長相和”我們”一樣，就不分青紅皂白的支持，在其他城市，甚至麻州，已有太多案例顯示，亞裔、華裔民代在關鍵時刻沉默，不敢為亞裔、華裔挺身而出。

              由Betty Kim和黃鷹立等人組成的麻州亞裔聯盟，也公開支持Annissa Essaibi George，以及波士頓市不分區市議員候選人Erin Murphy。

              薩福克大學(Suffolk)/波士頓環球報(Boston Globe)/NBC10電視台在19日這天，剛好公佈他們在10月15日至17日之間做的民調，30個問題問下來，2名候選人的支持率，相差竟然高逾30個百分點，吳弭的支持率為62%，Annissa Essaibi George的支持率為30%，還未決定票落何方的選民，只剩下7%。

              主持調查的薩福克大學政治研究中心主任David Paleologos指出，吳弭的支持率在所有族裔群體中都很高。Annissa Essaibi George在白人選民中得到的支持率最高，38%，但仍比吳弭得到的61%支持率低很多。大約有15%的黑人選民，以及21%的西語裔選民表示還為決定選誰，也就難怪吳弭和Annissa Essaibi George近期的競選活動，都集中在這些族裔社區。

              政治顧問Paul Simmons對波士頓環球報說，選舉從來都和辯論，候選人個人特質，甚至議題的關係不大。關鍵是候選人能否啟動一次稱職的現場操作，把全市各地的選民都吸引出來，而這正是吳弭的巨大利基所在。

              在當晚辯論後的媒體討論中，波士頓環球報副編輯暨社論委員會成員Marcela Garcia也說，吳弭在整場辯論中保持鎮定，不慍不火，辯解點到為止，恐怕也是既然民調都已領先30%了，不需要無端激出三尺浪。

              吳弭面對多番攻擊後，也只說，”波士頓市值得更好的”，”我們的國家、民主，才剛剛熬過4年的川普統治，以及涉及負面攻擊，個人攻擊，虛假及散播恐懼的競選活動。這不是我想這場市長選舉變成的模樣。

              當這2名候選人被問到個有多少家庭收入時，2人似乎都面有難色。吳弭面對她的家庭收入20萬元出頭，算不算上層階級時，猶豫了一陣子才回答”中上階層”。Annissa Essaibi George表示她的家庭收入的確頗高，的確算是波士頓市的上層階級。

              吳弭公佈了她家的聯合報稅資料，顯示了她家的收入。Annissa Essaibi George向媒體公佈了她自己的年收入超過10萬元，也公佈了她個人的報稅資料，但她未公佈她那地產發展商丈夫的報稅資料。她的競選陣營也拒絕回答有關她丈夫事業的問題。

              Annissa Essaibi George要吳弭解釋她和政治獻金捐款者，共和黨商人Terry Considine的關係。Terry Considine是吳弭的親近朋友兼大兒子乾媽Elizabeth Likovich的父親。Annissa Essaibi George說吳弭要當波士頓人的市長，就必須清楚、透明。

              波士頓前鋒報(Boston Herald)在19日這天發刊的一篇文章指出，吳弭和丈夫在羅森岱爾(Rolindale)買的兩家庭屋，是和她的大學朋友Elizabeth Likovich，以及其丈夫一起買的。14個月之後，他們把自己的份額賣給吳弭及她丈夫。

              波士頓環球報稱吳弭及其丈夫支付了公平的市場價值(fair market value)，波士頓前鋒報卻說，根據薩福克郡契約登記處(Suffolk County Registry of Deeds)的記錄，她們4人在2015年6月以66萬元買下羅森岱爾的這兩家庭屋，Likovich一家佔54%，吳弭及她丈夫Conor Pewarski佔46%。一年之後，根據吳弭競選陣營和Edward Likovich提供的資料，Likovich一家把他們的那份房產，以39萬元賣給了吳弭他們。

              波士頓環球報稱，他們檢驗了吳弭和Likovich家族之間的關係，沒發現吳弭有任何不當行為的證據。反倒是Annissa Essaibi George的丈夫，Douglas R. George，在波士頓市內擁有55處房地產，總值估計有5400萬元，而且還有經常遲繳稅，違反條例，和波士頓市稽核員衝突的歷史紀錄。

              波士頓前鋒報進一步指出，Likovich現在為科羅拉多州的AIMCO發展公司工作，而那是她父親Terry Cinsidine經營的公司。Terry Cinsidine是著名的共和黨政客，根據記錄捐了2500元給吳弭的競選市長活動。吳弭的丈夫Pewarski在麻州政府記錄上，是 Cinsidine地產公司在劍橋市所擁有的一個三層住宅的”住戶經紀(resident agent)”。

             以BDawes之名在波士頓環球報關於電視辯論文章的留言上寫著，吳弭的丈夫從2013到2020年間，都是Cinsidine家族的”住戶經紀”。他懷疑他們倆的年收入只有20萬元。

              波士頓環球報的文章解釋道，麻州要求所有責任有限公司有個”住戶經紀”，作為法律聯絡人。Pewarski是在該公司之前的住戶經紀搬到科羅拉多州後，才接任的。

              第3場辯論預定在10月25日舉行。

HOCUS POCUS 2 MAKING MOVIE MAGIC IN RHODE ISLAND

HOCUS POCUS 2 MAKING MOVIE MAGIC IN RHODE ISLAND

Providence, RI -- The Rhode Island Film & TV Office announced today that the Disney+ sequel to the beloved 1993 film, Hocus Pocus, began filming in Rhode Island on October 18, 2021 until the end of the year. The highly anticipated Hocus Pocus 2 is set for a 2022 debut.

Bette Midler (The First Wives Club, Beaches), Sarah Jessica Parker (Sex and the City) and Kathy Najimy (Sister Act, Veep) are reprising their roles as the wickedly entertaining Sanderson Sisters in Hocus Pocus 2.  Midler returns as Winifred Sanderson, with Parker and Najimy back as her sisters, Sarah and Mary, respectively. In Hocus Pocus 2, three young women accidentally bring the Sanderson Sisters back to present day and must figure out how to stop the child-hungry witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on the world.

Anne Fletcher (Dumplin’, The Proposal) directs, taking over from her friend and colleague Adam Shankman (Hairspray, What Men Want), who’ll serve as Executive Producer with Ralph Winter (Hocus Pocus, X-Men franchise) and David Kirschner (Hocus Pocus, Chucky). Lynn Harris (King Richard, The Shallows) produces. The screenplay is by Jen D’Angelo.

Director Anne Fletcher stated, “Now more than ever, people need to laugh. We should be laughing every day, and there is so much fun to be had with these three unbelievable women playing delicious characters from such a beloved film. I am so grateful to be able to play a part in bringing these witches back to life, and to be working with my friends at Disney again makes it all the more special. This is a movie for everyone, from the fans who grew up with the first film to the next generation of viewers, and I can’t wait to get started in the beautiful state of Rhode Island.”

Governor Daniel J. McKee said, “On behalf of Rhode Island, I am proud and honored that again our beautiful state, with its unique scenery, landscapes and local talent, will be the backdrop for a major motion picture. Film and TV productions such as Hocus Pocus 2 have positive impacts on our businesses and move our economy in the right direction.”

Steven Feinberg, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Film & TV Office, remarked, “We are very excited to welcome Disney and their talented team to the Ocean State to create the next chapter of the popular and highly anticipated sequel, Hocus Pocus 2. Rhode Island is fortunate because we have superb partners in both the public and private sectors, and we enjoy working together to build a positive environment for the creative economy to shine. We are particularly grateful to Walt Disney Productions for providing good paying jobs for many local artists and hard-working technicians from across Rhode Island. Collaboration is key to the art of cinema and we look forward to helping the Hocus Pocus 2 team produce movie magic here in the Ocean State!”

Speaker of the House K. Joseph Shekarchi (D-District 23, Warwick) commented, “The rest of the world will soon be more familiar with what so many Rhode Islanders already know -- we have a very special state; some might even say it’s magical. We know that arts are a vital part of not only our culture, but our economy. Rhode Island is a perfect location for Walt Disney Productions to bring its own magic for the filming of Hocus Pocus 2, and I’m proud that our great state will be showcased in this latest of a long line of A-list productions that have been filmed here.”

     

Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-District 4, North Providence, Providence) said “Rhode Island is ideally suited to the needs of the film and television industry. Our small, compact size makes us accessible both in terms of coordinating with state and local agencies and businesses, and in working at locations ranging from city streets and historic homes and mansions to the shore and peaceful woodlands. We warmly welcome Hocus Pocus 2 to Rhode Island and greatly anticipate seeing our state grace the screen once again.” 

Rhode Island State Council on the Arts Executive Director Randall Rosenbaum said, “We are immensely proud that this popular family friendly production is coming to Rhode Island, thanks to the hard work of the Rhode Island Film and Television Office.This is another example where we can witness the expansion of American art as an economic and cultural force.”

Rhode Island Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor stated, “Successfully creating a film such as Hocus Pocus 2 isn’t accomplished lickety-split via a magic trick — instead, it requires the hard and innovative work of professionals at splendid studios such as Disney and public partners such as our state’s Film & Television Office. We thank Steven Feinberg as well as Randy Rosenbaum for their great and effective efforts on this project and across their portfolio. We’re excited that Rhode Island will again be in the spotlight because of this production, helping to attract tourism and yet more business activity to our beautiful state.”

Lydia Edwards endorsed by EMILY’s List

Lydia Edwards endorsed by EMILY’s List

Endorsement comes from the nation’s largest resource for women in politics 

BOSTON – Lydia Edwards has been endorsed by EMILY’s List in the special election to State Senate. Primary Election Day is December 14, 2021. General Election Day is January 11, 2022.

“EMILY’s List is thrilled to endorse Lydia Edwards for the Massachusetts state Senate,” said Sarah Curmi, vice president of state and local campaigns at EMILY’s List. “On the Boston City Council, Councilor Edwards has proven herself as a champion for her community, spearheading housing reforms and working to make Boston more affordable and inclusive. We are confident that Councilor Edwards will continue to serve her constituents well in her role as a Massachusetts state senator.”

From protecting health care choices to fighting back against environmental pollution that hurts pregnant individuals and children, Lydia will stand up for gender and reproductive justice in the Massachusetts Senate. As the daughter of a single mom, and as an organizer standing with low-income women and victims of labor trafficking, Lydia has always felt the critical draw to fight for gender and reproductive justice. Working as a law clerk, she watched young people, unprepared and forced to go through the court system to request medical care. These experiences, among others, drove her to advocate for passage of the ROE Act, legislation sorely needed in the wake of rollbacks of reproductive rights across the country.

On the Boston City Council Lydia sponsored legislation to provide workers’ paid leave for loss of pregnancy, ensuring that those who have already dealt with pain, grief, and difficult medical decisions are protected. She worked with colleagues on the Boston City Council to push for availability of menstrual products in public schools. She’s stood up for workers facing gender-based discrimination and sexual violence in the workplace. And as real estate developers increasingly seek to build studio and one-bedroom units, Lydia has fought to ensure housing is available to expecting parents and families with children.

EMILY’s List also most recently endorsed Lydia in her re-election to Boston City Council, ahead of the news of this open Senate seat and Special Election later this year. EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, has raised over $700 million to elect Democratic pro-choice women candidates. With a grassroots community of over five million members, EMILY's List helps Democratic women win competitive campaigns – across the country and up and down the ballot – by recruiting and training candidates, supporting and helping build strong campaigns, researching the issues that impact women and families, running nearly $50 million in independent expenditures in the last cycle alone, and turning out women voters and voters of color to the polls. Since its founding in 1985, EMILY’s List has helped elect the country's first woman as vice president, 158 women to the House, 26 to the Senate, 16 governors, and more than 1,300 women to state and local office. More than 40 percent of the candidates EMILY’s List has helped elect to Congress have been women of color.

Lydia Edwards is a candidate for State Senate representing the First Suffolk and Middlesex District, following the departure of Senator Joseph A. Boncore. For a full and up-to-date list of endorsements, visit: LydiaEdwards.org/endorsements.

Councilor Lydia Edwards is a career advocate, activist, and voice on behalf of society's most vulnerable. She is currently the Chair of the Committee on Government Operations and the Committee on Housing and Community Development in the Boston City Council. Learn more at LydiaEdwards.org/meet-lydia.