Ignore Dog Whistles, Vote Melissa Masardo For School Committee: Letter

The following was submitted by Ann Steeves:

It’s election season in Burlington once again, and once again, any pretense of civility seems to be conveniently dropped. Over the last week or so, questions have been raised regarding the qualifications of candidates for School Committee, specifically Melissa Masardo. It seems that there are questions and innuendo being floated about her commitment to the town because she is a working mother with young children.

As a woman who raised two fine sons while working as Director of International Sales in tech companies, I find that attack to be incredibly offensive. It is sexist and ageist. There are no similar questions being raised about the male candidate for School Committee. Nor were any such questions raised when Carl Foss, for whom I voted and who has young children, was running in the last election. And if anyone would question whether a candidate’s senior citizen status should disqualify them from office, well, the howls of rage would be heard all around town.

Women have been balancing work, child rearing, and outside activities for generations. Being a woman with young children is not a disqualification, and in fact, is a very big plus. Women, indeed parents, with young children have the ultimate skin in the School Committee game.

I urge you to ignore the sexist and ageist dog whistles, and join me in voting for Melissa Masardo.

Sincerely,
Ann Steeves
15 Saint Marys Rd.
Burlington, MA 01803