Everett celebrates Women’s History Month at annual Dorothy Martin Long Luncheon

Elected officials, City staff and community members gathered at the Connolly Center

Special to The Advocate

The City of Everett recently joined with residents and elected officials to celebrate Women’s History Month at the second annual Dorothy Martin Long Women’s History Month Luncheon at the Connolly Center. Named after Dorothy Martin Long, the luncheon celebrated the visions, voices and impact of women as part of the City’s celebration of Women’s History Month.

Long, who was a lifelong Everett resident, had a significant impact on the Everett community through public service and her passion for volunteering. Her volunteerism included work with organizations like the Malden YMCA and Mystic Valley Elder Services, as well as Housing Families, Inc., where she dedicated 16 years to tutoring homeless children. For those efforts, she was honored in 2018 at Gillette Stadium as a Patriot’s Difference Maker. Long served on the Everett School Committee and was elected Commissioner of the Everett Charter Commission, where she led a team effort to rewrite and modernize the City’s constitution. She also served on the City’s Diversity and Equity Task Force and was on the Board of Directors of the Devens School, along with being an Election Warden in the City of Everett.

The City of Everett’s Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Cathy Draine, who served as emcee of the event, was pleased to welcome this year’s keynote speaker, Kristy Anderson Magras, who is a proud native of Malden and currently a counselor at Malden High School. She has also worked with at-risk and housing-insecure youth and served as a mentor for the YWCA’s “WorkSmart” program, which helps ensure vulnerable students have access to quality postsecondary education and employment opportunities.

In addition to Magras, speakers at the luncheon included Mayor Carlo DeMaria and State Representative Joe McGonagle. During the ceremony, longtime Everett community member Jay Holt was recognized for recently being nominated by Rep. McGonagle and honored by the Massachusetts Black & Latino Legislative Caucus at the annual “Black Excellence on the Hill” event at the State House. As the ceremony closed, attendees were invited to enjoy a free meal.

“Thank you all for a wonderful time at such an important event to ensure that Dorothy Martin Long’s legacy will be forever remembered here in Everett,” said Mayor DeMaria. “I’d also like to thank everyone who helped make this event a successful celebration of the achievements and contributions of women to our community and around the world.”

All of the upcoming City of Everett events can be found by visiting the events calendar on the City website at cityofeverett.com/calendar/category/events/list. Residents can also follow the official social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) to stay updated. Facebook: /cityofeverettma and /mayorcarlodemaria. Instagram: @cityofeverettma and @mayorcarlodemaria. X: @EverettGov_MA and @Mayor_DeMaria. All are welcome to attend the upcoming events.