Lisa Wong
Lisa Wong
Stop the Cuts Coalition
On April 27th May 2009, Massachusetts the Stop the Cuts Coalition rallied at the State House to protest the deep budget cutbacks proposed in the FY10 budget, and to urge the MA legislature to raise new revenue to offset them. At the event on May 18th Mayor Lisa Wong of Fitchburg highlighted the challenges state government faces and urged the need for new revenue as the hundreds of advocates packed into a State House hearing room clapped in support. Also speaking were John Bennett, President of Mass Senior Action, Mike Grunko, President of SEIU 509, and Lynn Norris of Neighbor to Neighbor .[1]
Women's Pipeline for Change
Women's Pipeline for Change is a new initiative "designed to support progressive women of color and improve civic participation and equal representation in the political pipeline" will be launched Thursday. Boston City Councilor At-Large Ayanna Pressley will be the keynote speaker. The initiative is a project backed by The Partnership for Democracy and Education. Attendees will announce a new collaboration with UMass Boston's Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy and media will be introduced to five women who will take part in fellowships under the collaboration: Gladys Lebron-Martinez, Holyoke School Committee member; Sheneal Parker, Boston public schools teacher; Martina Cruz, Lawrence School Committee member; Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong and Elizabeth Cardona, director of Gov. Deval Patrick's western Massachusetts office in Springfield. Auditor Suzanne Bump plans to deliver remarks as well.[2]