Boston, MA

Gaskin: Project recognizes Black women who shaped Boston

Published

9 months ago

October 14, 2023

Gaskin: Project recognizes Black women who shaped Boston

At a time when some leaders are questioning the legitimacy of Black studies and denigrating lessons about Black history or racism as “woke” or as “Critical Race Theory” — terms that white supremacists have twisted to make them sound bad — we did something different. We celebrate 212 of Boston’s most admired, beloved, and successful Black Women leaders who were responsible for shaping Boston through their work in arts and culture, legislation, health, education, community building, and raising a generation of leaders, thereby improving the quality of life for everyone in the city.

When it comes to Boston, people are aware of the Irish, Italian, and Brahmin influences. But many are not aware of the collective and cumulative impact Black women have had over the last 300 years. The Black Women Lead (BWL) project helps fill this knowledge gap by recognizing Black women leaders who made their marks on Boston from the 1700s through the present day. They include abolitionists, suffragists, Underground Railroad workers, doctors, lawyers, judges, professors, elected officials, community activists, and those from blue, pink and no-collar professions, from various faith traditions, social classes, political affiliations, and sexual orientations, and for most their legacy as seniors and role models.

Given how Black women are portrayed in both Black and white media, it is time to rewrite the narrative because what we know about Black women and their history is often missing, forgotten or distorted. Looking at their accomplishments from a historical perspective, we see a spectrum of strong Black women, and the progression from escaped slaves who, although living in fear of the Fugitive Slave Act, still spoke out as abolitionists, to elected officials and judges at the city, state, and federal levels.

The BWL banner project is a partnership between Greater Grove Hall Main Streets and the New England Patriots Foundation. The Kraft family said yes because they know something about honoring Hall of Famers, and is the Hall of Fame of Boston’s Black Women Leaders.

The banners stretch for two miles along Blue Hill Avenue, where over 20,000, mostly commuters, can see them daily. The display adds beauty and provides inspiration to the Grove Hall neighborhood. Some have described it as “beautiful, empowering, inspiring” and others have been brought to tears upon experiencing it.

As an artist, this is my Christo. It provides placemaking for Grove Hall, promotes Black art, honors Black women, and inspires us all. It is in memory of my grandmother Maxine Moss and great aunt Anna Moss who graduated from college during the time of the depression, Black women leaders in their day.

The 600 nominations were gathered from prior lists, ballots, emails, Subject Matter Experts, research and even self-nominations. The students of Mother Caroline Academy were helpful as their selections inspired us to select women from as many different professions as possible, so the girls would know whatever career path they choose, there was a Black woman from Boston who had already done that. If not, they could be the first to do something like many of the women on the list.

The selection criteria included women who were the first to do something, i.e., pioneers, founders, and those who had things named after them from scholarships to buildings. Some demonstrated leadership in their professions, while others demonstrated leadership in their neighborhoods by fighting against drugs and gangs or for welfare reform. Still others fought injustice in the classroom, courtroom, or boardroom. The list includes both Grammy and Emmy winners and Hall of Fame inductees.

We defined leadership broadly to include extraordinary role models like the woman who had 50 foster children or the woman who worked as a foster grandmother for 25 years and retired at age 95. Many of the gifted women have demonstrated leadership in more than one profession.

“As a longtime champion of women and girls, I think it is important to recognize Black women have been fighting to make Boston and the world a better place for the last century. This not only honors our past as Black women, but it provides role models for our girls, who are our future change makers,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley.

We have a $40,000 GoFundMe goal to start the next phase of the project. My hope is to inspire the Black Women Leads movement. where every city finds a visible way to recognize the contributions of their Black women.

The banners are a testament to our collective self-efficacy, and with God, nothing is impossible, as the “great cloud of witness” who have “fought the good fight” and have gone before us testify.

Ed Gaskin is Executive Director of Greater Grove Hall Main Streets and founder of Sunday Celebrations.

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Boston, MA

Editorial: Want Gov. Healey’s support, Biden? Fix migrant mess

Published

47 mins ago

July 4, 2024

Press Room

Editorial: Want Gov. Healey’s support, Biden? Fix migrant mess

As confidence in Joe Biden circles the drain, the president’s team is circling the wagon.

Biden’s Wednesday schedule included a sit-down with a group of Democratic governors in a closed-door meeting at the White House, the Hill reported.

As the Herald reported, Gov. Maura Healey was on the invite list, and the gist of the meeting was to reassure supporters that he could win in the November election, despite his train wreck performance in last week’s presidential debate.

Also settling into the comfy chairs: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the chair of the Democratic Governors Association, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, their offices confirmed to The Hill.

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Delaware Gov. John Carney were also heading to the White House for the meeting, according to a source.

“Democratic governors are proud to be some of the President’s closest partners and allies on the campaign trail,” Walz said in a statement to The Hill, adding, “The president has worked side by side with us to deliver for the people of our states and we’re looking forward to talking with him today.”

A CNN/SSRS survey found former President Donald Trump maintaining a six-percentage point lead (49%-43%) over Biden among registered voters following the Atlanta debate.

What’s worse for Biden, 75% said they believed Democrats would have a better chance of winning the White House if someone else was the party’s nominee.

It’s all hands on deck at the White House and among many Democratic leaders to right the ship, even as it keeps taking on water.

This could be good for Massachusetts.

Healey, as have many governors wrestling with the migrant influx, called upon Washington for help time and again. The state is footing a nearly $1 billion bill for shelter and care for migrant families, and room and money keeps running out.

Biden needs Healey, who has always been a supporter he could count on. Now it’s time to pay it back.

Whether it’s on the list of talking points now or in the coming months, Healey has to make it clear that if Biden wants her help, then he has to step up to help with the migrant situation in Massachusetts.

Ideally, Biden could close the border to give beleaguered states some breathing room. The Healey Administration sent a team to the southern border to “educate” would-be Massachusetts-bound migrants that there’s no room for them here.

Hard to pull off with a right-to-shelter law, but at least they tried.

If the president really expects to get governors to pull out the stops for Biden as plausible, winnable candidate, then he needs to start writing checks.

First, to reimburse the state for some of the funds already spent on migrant housing and care, second, to establish a funding pipeline for future arrivals and schooling costs, and third, to put some muscle and manpower behind properly vetting asylum seekers and keeping criminals from crossing the border.

Healey needs that for Massachusetts. And now Biden needs Healey.

Make him earn your support, governor.

Editorial cartoon by Joe Heller (Joe Heller)

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Boston, MA

4th of July weather forecast for Boston and the holiday weekend: ‘Downright tropical’

Published

8 hours ago

July 3, 2024

Press Room

4th of July weather forecast for Boston and the holiday weekend: ‘Downright tropical’

Unlike some recent rainy Independence Days, those heading to the Esplanade for the Boston Pops and fireworks should be in the clear this Fourth of July.

The National Weather Service is forecasting a warm holiday with rising humidity, but it should be dry in the Boston area.

The agency’s forecast discussion states, “Downright tropical!”

“Right now it’s looking like a pretty good day,” NWS meteorologist Kyle Pederson told the Herald.

High temps during the day are expected to be in the mid-80s, as clouds increase throughout the day. It should get quite humid, however, as dewpoints rise into the upper 60s.

Then during the evening along the Esplanade, temps should be in the 70s.

“It’s going to be cloudy, but the clouds will be high up so it shouldn’t affect the viewing of the fireworks,” Pederson said.

Then on Friday, temps should tick up a bit in the 80s along with even more brutal humidity. Dewpoints are expected to climb into the low 70s.

“It is the type of humidity you can feel,” the National Weather Service’s forecast discussion reads.

Then over the weekend, there will be a risk of rain and thunderstorms but it won’t rain continuously. Heavy rains will be possible.

“Saturday is the best chance for rain and thunderstorms, but the timing and where those happen are uncertain at the moment,” Pederson said.

Saturday will have the highest humidity levels, with dewpoints potentially in the mid-70s.

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Boston, MA

Boston College Hockey Forward Ryan Leonard Confirms Return For Sophomore Season

Published

15 hours ago

July 3, 2024

Press Room

Boston College Hockey Forward Ryan Leonard Confirms Return For Sophomore Season

Boston College hockey forward Ryan Leonard confirmed that he will still be returning to Chestnut Hill for his sophomore season.

The 2023 Washington Capitals first-round pick discussed his decision during media availability on Wednesday morning and shared that the Caps offered him an entry-level contract after clinching a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“My whole plan the whole time was two years and then come here, but I had no idea they were actually going to offer me,” said Leonard. “It all happened so fast. I don’t really know if I was completely prepared for it.”

Leonard talked about when he was offered the contract and that he stayed up for most of the night weighing the decision and discussing it with his brother John before coming to a conclusion.

“It was whatever I wanted to do,” said Leonard. “Made a big spreadsheet, notes, whatever you want to call it. Pros and cons of both, but ultimately, I think I made the right decision.”

The Amherst, Mass., native also said that fellow teammate Will Smith’s decision to sign an entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks did not impact his choice.

“No. I’m myself,” said Leonard. “He’s him. You want the best for him, and it’s not about individuals. It’s about the team, and I want to be a part of the team that wins Boston College another national championship. Not really ready to leave yet.”

Leonard had a stellar freshman campaign. In his 41 games played, he tallied 31 goals and 29 assists for 60 points, 168 shot attempts for a .185 percentage, and six game-winning goals.

The 19-year-old is the second Eagles hockey player to announce his return to Boston College for his sophomore season. Gabe Perreault shared his decision to return during Rangers media availability on Tuesday.

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