Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Barbara Gray: Role Model for Female Lawmakers
Former State Representative Barbara Gray passed away last Friday at age 87. Gray led an
influential career on Beacon Hill well before the modern women’s movement for
political parity began. In founding the Massachusetts Caucus of Women
Legislators, she was a huge driver behind the gender equality movement in
government. Gray is remembered as being an “undaunted advocate for a range of
social-service causes.”
Gray’s passion for leadership and dedication to her
personal goals while in office should serve as an example for all elected
officials today. She represented Framingham in the State House of
Representatives from 1973-1996. Representative Ellen Story, who served with
Gray in the legislature, described her saying: “She
wanted to go full-speed ahead on whatever the issue was.”
Gray was a life-long
advocate, beginning her career in Framingham as a leader on many issues. While
working as a legislator, she spoke out about abortion rights, gay rights,
protections for victims of abuse, conservation, and recycling legislation. Gray
also wrote a biography, pictured above, “A Woman’s Ways and Means.”
The MWPC would like to continue the
work Gray began so many years ago. Our women in the legislature today can use
Gray’s passion for change and advocacy as an inspiration to act passionately
about their own set of issues. Thank you to Gray for all that she did in paving
the way for women in politics; her efforts have a direct effect on the work we
do today. Read more about Barbara Gray here.
