Press Release: O’Leary Gains Three Important Endorsements
For Immediate Release
June 29, 2006
Rights Activists, Women’s Caucus, Social Workers All Stand Behind Candidacy
Leah O'Leary, Democratic candidate for State Representative in Norwood and Walpole, is proud to announce her endorsement by three organizations at the forefront of Massachusetts politics. NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus, and the political arm of National Association of Social Workers Massachusetts, PACE, are supporting O’Leary in her bid for office. O’Leary said she was pleased by and grateful for the confidence these organizations expressed for her run. “I believe that all three groups fight for very important causes in our state. I am honored to put my name next to theirs.”
NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts endorsed O’Leary for her strong commitment to protecting reproductive choice. “Leah O’Leary believes that reproductive decisions are among the most personal and private ones a woman can make, and must remain solely between her, her family and her doctor – free from government interference,” said Melissa Kogut, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts. An advocate for women’s rights and quality health services, O’Leary has also been endorsed by another leading pro-choice group, the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund. With more than thirty years of experience and 20,000 members in the Commonwealth, NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts leads the fight for reproductive rights by helping elect pro-choice candidates like O’Leary to the state legislature.
The National Association of Social Workers endorsement committee voted unanimously in O’Leary’s favor. O’Leary, a social worker by profession, was especially touched by the organization’s endorsement. “Once you’re a social worker, you’re always a social worker. I plan to work just as hard for Massachusetts families on Beacon Hill as I have throughout my career in social work and adoption.” NASW’s mission is “to promote human rights, social and economic justice, and unimpeded services for all”, and in O’Leary the members of NASW MA PACE are sure that they have found a candidate who will bring that same mission to the legislature.
The Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus was also enthusiastic about the role O’Leary will play as State Representative. The Caucus, a bipartisan organization that promotes the role of women in all levels of government, sees increasing the number of women in the legislature as an essential step, not only for women, but for the legislature as a whole. “When you have a large number of women in office, you get good government,” said MWPC Executive Director Jesse Mermell. “When you have women in office like Leah O’Leary – women who are smart, dedicated, and who really care about the people in this state – that’s when you get great government. I think she’ll be a positive force for all of us, men and women, on Beacon Hill.”
O’Leary is pleased to be moving forward with these endorsements in hand: “It is wonderful to have their support as I work to get my message to the people in this district. I feel honored that these three remarkable organizations are standing shoulder to shoulder with me.”
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