Margaret was born in Georgia, just outside of Ft. Benning. Her family often struggled to make ends meet, and she dropped out of high school at the end of her junior year to help. While working full-time, she acquired her General Equivalency Diploma at age 17.
Our seniors are at the heart of our communities: They ground us in our towns’ histories, and deepen conversations with their perspective: They are also a key part of an intergenerational model that towns need in order to be truly vibrant. Seniors also face unique challenges, such as transitioning to affordable housing as they downsize, limited access to public transportation, and dealing with rising costs on a fixed income.
As a long-time volunteer at the Albert Harris Center (Pepperell’s “Home Away from Home” for older adults), I’ve come to know seniors not as a “constituency,” but on a personal level, as friends who laugh with me and trust me to handle issues that are bothering them.
Like the time one person pulled me aside at a breakfast to frantically tell me about a veteran whose benefits had been cut off due to a clerical error. This problem had gone on for months with no resolution. I quickly contacted our Veterans’ Agent, and within a month, full benefits were restored, including back pay.
As your state representative, I will connect with the First Middlesex Councils on Aging and other key stakeholders, and put forward and support legislation that seeks to ease the burdens on this vulnerable population.