ML - Boston Common

Boston Common - 2015 - Issue 2 - Late Spring

Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.

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the HE ROINE M Y S T I Q U E Politicians and professors, authors and executives, doctors and neuroscientists: Boston's leading women share their triumphs, failures, life lessons, and industry secrets with the next generation, and discover that wisdom is ageless. By nIcholE BErnIEr Photography by conor DohErTY Democratic Duo BarBara Lee and ayanna PressLey Barbara Lee (left) is a political strategist and fundraiser whose foundation helps women run for the US Senate or House of Representatives, for governor, or for local offices in Boston. The Barbara Lee Family Foundation conducts nonpartisan research and endows a training program for women at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government. As a board member of the Institute of Contemporary Art, Lee brought the museum its largest gift of art ever: 43 works of 20th- and 21st-century art by women. One of the women Lee encouraged to run for office is Ayanna Pressley. Pressley is the first woman of color to be elected to the Boston City Council in its 105 -year history, and Emily's List recently presented her with its 2015 Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star Award. A former aide to US Representative Joseph Kennedy II, she became Senator John Kerry's political director in 2009, before being elected to one of four at-large spots on the City Council. Barbara Lee: Encouraging good people to run for office is very much related to mentorship. Politics has always been a blood sport in Massachusetts, and it's always been an old boys' club. So I had it in my mind for a long time to build a "new girls' network" and help bring women up through the ranks by educating them, encouraging them, and helping to empower them. My foundation does research about the obstacles and opposition facing women candidates. We've found when you first approach women to run for office, they'll say, "Oh no, no." Even if they've thought about it, they haven't dared to see themselves in those leadership roles. Ayanna Pressley: I find that often women are not operating with the same sense of entitlement as our male counterparts. Entitlement gets a bad rap—it doesn't need to have a negative connotation. It's really about a level of assuredness in pursuing what you deserve. So it's very beneficial to have someone who says, "You have something to contribute," and to provide that sense of validation. Because women always think they're not ready. BL: The first time I saw Ayanna Pressley in action was at public events when she was a representative for Senator John Kerry. I saw how truly and deeply she cared for people and her passion for public service. That was the first time I asked her to run for office. I'm always on the lookout for talent. AP: There are barriers for many women. It's not just the financial logistics of raising money for the seat. It's about how you are going to make a living while pursuing the seat. When I left my post with Senator John Kerry, I cashed out my 401(k) in order to run. There's no question that being on Barbara's roster legitimizes you to many women, who go on to make investments. But Barbara's investment is far more than financial. She takes the time to get to know candidates and see something that other people don't. She's not afraid to back an underdog. 100 BoSToncoMMon-MagazInE.coM

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