Biography
From my 40 years in Boston I have learned so much from the communities I have connected with. As I travel through the Fenway, Back Bay, West End and Beacon Hill, while campaigning, I look forward to new conversations. I will widen my knowledge, to be more responsive to our communities many needs.
Artwork Title: They grow so fast.
Artist: Lisa Jeanne Graf
Cooperatives / Community Groups
I have contributed to two artist cooperatives (Local Colors in Gloucester with many commuter rail trips, and Galatea Fine Art in Boston). I have also been a member of the Fenway Victory Garden and the Symphony Community Garden. In addition I have lived in the Fensgate Mixed Income Cooperative for 30 years, including serving on the Fensgate Governing Board. I have a great love and respect for communal and responsive decision making from these connections.
UNION MEMBERSHIP
In my early 20s I worked part time as a gallery guard at the Museum of Fine Arts. It was a great joy to contribute to bringing an independant union to the MFA.
I learned a lot about effective organizing from our visionary union leader, Michael Raysson. I learned from him how to inspire a sense of community and a sense of purpose during organizing, including by highlighting everyone’s gifts. As a group we were able to obtain a strong contract with benefits that were specific to the unique needs of our membership.
CIVIC Accountability
I care deeply about the need for accountability. My first connection with civic engagement came in elementary school when I independently choose to join a Quaker Meetinghouse. Although I have since lost my faith, I continue to value their approach of living by example.
More recently I have consistently advocated for an elected school committee in as a member of Ward 4, and as a “Elect The Boston School Committee” volunteer. In addition, I am advocating as a member of FamCOSa (BPS Families for COVID Safety) for more transparency and true community partnership in developing school facilities plans, within BPS.
DISABILITY ADVOCACY
12 years ago when I started educating myself about autism, I found that the descriptions of autism didn’t ring true to the autistic children that I knew. Autism didn’t make sense to me, until I read about it from the perspective of autistic people. I came to realize that I understood the viewpoints of autistic people because I shared the same neurotype. I also learned that people who look at a disability from the outside can perceive it very incorrectly. Because of that, it is critical that those who have disabilities are the same ones defining the policies that impact them. “Nothing about Us Without Us.”
To gain the political and policy skills needed to have useful disability related policies enacted, I was a 2023 LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental & Related Disabilities Program) fellow. I also serve as a board member for a parents group (Boston SPEDPAC) whose mission is to support disabled students who attend the Boston Public Schools. In this role I offer the lens of an autistic person. I regularly advocate for neurodiversity affirming supports for autistic people of all ages within and beyond BPS.
EDUCATION ADVOCACY
Before my daughter (now 15) entered the Boston Public Schools I discovered a love of solving policy puzzles. This love began in 2013 when Boston Mayor Menino in a community meeting, asked the community to help redesign school assignment. I felt like he was asking me specifically (I still don’t know why!) and I submitted three community informed proposals.
Over the years I have offered counter policy proposals for most of the initiatives the district proposed. My proposals have generally been pragmatic - attempting to offer a balance of addressing community needs, while still looking for efficiencies and win/wins where possible.
Most recently I contributed to the “Reimagine School Funding Steering Committee” as a representative from Boston SPEDPAC to promote equitable and responsive funding for all students.
HIGHER EDUCATION
I have been lucky to have many wonderful educational experiences in Boston beginning with MassArt where I earned a degree in painting. After graduating, I wasn’t able to make a living exclusively as as fine artist, so I took commercial arts classes at the Museum School and the Art Institute of Boston. I also had many internships and freelance art projects to prepare me for a long career as a fine and commercial artist.
Two years ago, to support my love of policy, I completed a Public Leadership Credential at the Harvard Kennedy School. Next I completed a Masters in Public Administration at Suffolk University in Spring, 2024. I have gained policy experience through fellowships, contract work, research and overseeing a Suffolk University MEEP grant.
FAMILY and Friends
My close family (husband, daughter, sisters, birthmother and mother-in-law) and friends ground me. I have learned so much from them about acceptance and kindness. Everything I accomplish, is largely thanks to them, which I appreciate greatly!
Artwork Title: (Detail of) Mama Says “Butter is Not a Meal.” Artist: Lisa Jeanne Graf