Liz Malia
Elizabeth A. "Liz" Malia (born September 30, 1949) is an American politician from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. A Democrat, she has served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives since March 1998. She represents the Eleventh Suffolk district, which includes parts of the Boston neighborhoods of Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, Roxbury and Dorchester.[1]
Liz Malia | |
|---|---|
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| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 11th Suffolk district | |
| Assumed office March 1998 | |
| Preceded by | John E. McDonough |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 30, 1949 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts |
| Alma mater | Boston College (A.B.) University of Massachusetts Boston |
| Occupation | Legislator |
| Website | Representative Liz Malia |
In the legislature, she serves as Assistant Vice-Chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Malia graduated from Boston College in 1971 with a BA in Education and English, returning in 1989 to complete the graduate certificate program at the Center for Women in Politics and Government. She worked in human services, healthcare, community organizing and labor advocacy before becoming chief of staff to state representative John E. McDonough in 1990.[2]
In late 1997, McDonough retired mid-term to take up an associate professorship at Brandeis University and Malia jumped into the race to succeed him. She won the special preliminary election easily and went on to win 67% of the special general election vote.[3][4] She was re-elected in November 1998 and has won biennial re-election ever since.
Malia, a lesbian,[5] co-founded the Bay State Gay and Lesbian Democrats in the mid-1980s.[6] She is one of five openly LGBT members of the Massachusetts General Court, alongside Sarah Peake (D–Provincetown), Kate Hogan (D–Stow), and Denise Andrews (D–Orange), as well as Senator Stan Rosenberg (D–Amherst).[7][8]
References
- "Massachusetts General Court: Rep. Elizabeth A. Malia". Retrieved 2007-07-28.
- "Liz Malia: biography". Archived from the original on December 4, 2004. Retrieved 2007-07-28.
- "Malia wins nomination in 11th district". The Boston Globe. 1998-02-11. Retrieved 2007-07-28.
- "Malia cruises to 11th district win". The Boston Globe. 1998-03-11. Retrieved 2007-07-28.
- Belluck, Pam (2004-02-13). "Massachusetts Lawmakers, After Heated Debate, Put Off Vote on Gay Marriage". New York Times. Retrieved 2007-07-28.
- "OutHistory: Liz Malia". Archived from the original on 2009-10-23. Retrieved 2009-03-15.
- "Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute: Out Officials". Archived from the original on 2007-07-08. Retrieved 2007-07-28.
- "Senator's candid remarks described as 'courageous'". Retrieved 2009-07-08.