Newton Alderman Emily Norton, pictured with State Rep. Ruth Balser, testified on Beacon Hill yesterday in favor of the Home Rule Petition to change the name of the Newton Board of Aldermen to the gender-free City Council. More photos on Norton’s Facebook page.
It’s ridiculous that we should need state permission to change the name of the BoA! The number of things that require home rule petitions in MA never ceases to amaze me.
That said, thank you Emily!
Two of the happiest civil servants I have ever seen. Kudos!
Thank you Alder-City Councilor Norton! Perhaps next you may advocate to put a woman on the $1 ($10, $20) bill … After all this is so much more important than the $18 trillion in Federal debt, the current state of the US military, or the Chinese hacking federal employees, don’t you think?
Janet, I couldn’t agree with you more! The nonsense the Newton BOA involves itself with! Time to elect NEW people.
Nobody is claiming this change will cure cancer or bring about world peace. And there are certainly bigger issues for the City Council to deal with. But I do believe that this change sends an important message to all young people. The nature of discrimination is insidious, and in this case it was systemic. Kudos to Emily Norton for recognizing a problem too many had overlooked, and for having the courage to do something about it. I don’t get many opportunities to say I’m proud of an elected official. But I am very proud of Emily for doing the right thing.
I’m old school. The monikers Aldermen or Chairmen never really bothered me. But last night, as I walked along the corridor on the second floor of City Hall and was drawn to the gallery of our City’s former Mayors, it was revealing that not one of the long double line of photos were of females. When Setti’s image joins the others, at least one divide will have been bridged.
What Mike Striar said.
Great job, Emily.
It’s particularly notable that this is being led by a first-term alderperson. Some legislative bodies have a not-so-unspoken “tradition” of first-term legislators being told to keep quiet, learn the ropes, wait your turn, etc. I’m not saying that happens in our BoA, am I? #ENGTD
What Mike Striar said
What Bruce said. In that regard, Emily is challenging two traditions at once. Getting things done indeed.
Many thanks to all for the kind words. The lid was loosened many years ago on this one though – Priscilla Leith told me she ran for alderman in the 1970’s with a bumper sticker saying “Alderwoman” on it. Rep. Balser said she suggested it during her time on the Board, and Ald. Cheryl Lappin said she had brought it up ten years ago. Sometimes things just need to percolate before society is ready. And the final vote was not even close, so this was definitely a team effort!
Emily and Ruth is equal to the dynamic duo!!!!