Podcast appearances and mentions of Harriette L Chandler

Ep.8 -  All hail Senate President Emerita, Harriette L. Chandler, known affectionately to many as Harlee.  On this final Friday of Women's History Month, Food & Convo had the honor of talking with one of the most prolific and staunch supporters of racial equity, social justice, pay equity and women's reproductive rights in Massachusetts. The first woman from Worcester ever to be elected to the Massachusetts Senate, she also served as the 94th President of the Massachusetts Senate. Taking much pride in her Jewish heritage, Senator Chandler shares some of her favorite recipes and the importance of food and independent restaurants to the local culture and economy. We dive into sneaker culture, her friendship with former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright (her classmate at Wellesley College), the importance of representation in politics, being present in the moment, education and her and her husband's crusade in racial justice.  *Interview recorded VIA zoom out of respect for COVID-19 protocols. 

We’re on site at City Hall with the 94th President of the Massachusetts Senate, Harriette L. Chandler, in the room where she got her political start as a member of the Worcester School Committee in 1991. Chandler went on to become the second woman in Massachusetts history to serve as Majority Leader and also as Senate President. At age 81, she has never lost an election. We discuss the ROE Act as well as her transition from SP, which she says was not at all like Joan Vennochi described it in the Boston Globe last year when she wrote, “Men might have settled this with a heart-to-heart stroll around the Hooker statue. Instead, Chandler and Spilka are fighting over the timing of a baton pass like bargain-hunters battling over a markdown at Filene’s Basement.” Yuck. We also talk Oscars. Photos by Unity Mike. 

Alyssa Brody '16 and Charlotte Benishek '16 describe their internships that were coordinated by the Lumpkin Summer Institute for Service Learning. Alyssa worked in the Office of Senator Harriette L. Chandler. Charlotte interned with the Crittenden Women's Union. The Lumpkin Summer Institute challenges Wellesley students to explore and participate in social change in the Greater Boston Area. During the 10-week program, students reside together in Boston while undertaking full-time internships with local nonprofit organizations.