Sen. Creem invited Dorothy Kelly Gay to sign the Senate Guest Book. — Photo by Sean Fitzgerald

Former Somerville Mayor Dorothy Kelly Gay came to the State Senate last week and was honored by Senator Jehlen and Senator Creem.

At the meeting, Sen. Jehlen of Somerville said, “I am so happy to introduce Dorothy Kelly Gay. I served with Dorothy on the Somerville School Committee for six years before she moved on to serve with Leader Creem on the Governor’s Council, later ran for lieutenant governor, and was the first woman mayor, first immigrant mayor, of Somerville. And each time she served in extremely challenging times, maybe they’re always challenging. But as I remember it, in the School Committee from ’86 to ’92 we were facing many challenges and we were not the prosperous city we’ve become. I’ll let Leader Creem talk about their work on the Council and how they got Gov. Weld to change commutation criteria.”

“When she became mayor of Somerville in 1999,” Jehlen continued. “We faced dramatic cuts in state aid and again we were not yet as strong financially as we are now. So, but then I want to say something else about retirement. Dorothy has never retired. She’s always been a nurse and went to work for Hebrew Senior Life working with older people and went on to work at Benchmark and she still works because I think apparently neither of us believe in jumping off a cliff when we end. She still works as a volunteer with older people and as a trustee of Somerville Museum. It is blossoming. I am so proud to introduce my former mayor, former colleague.”

Sen. Creem of Newton said, “There’s no problem with older women, it’s only older men that seem to have a problem in politics. I can’t tell you how much I love and admire Dorothy Kelly Gay. I wasn’t there in the Council when Dorothy single-handedly changed the law for the Framingham Eight. Prior to that time, it’s not a shock that a woman who was abused by someone, a partner or spouse, would get life in prison – they would not have ability to use the defense of self-protection. Women were serving in prison who had been abused. And Dorothy was on the Governor’s Council. I was shocked to find out when I was on the Council that I could go into any prison – I didn’t know that – they had to let me in because I was on the Council. Creem continued, “Dorothy made a surprise visit to Framingham and made an issue and brought it to the public. Dorothy has a way, she’s very – not relentless but she knows what she wants and I saw her with former Gov. Weld, and he would just give up. Dorothy changed that for so many women and we ought to give her a round of applause.”

Those assembled gave a standing round of applause.

“The League of Women Voters wanted to get rid of the Governor’s Council” Creem continued, “But Dorothy and I voted against the governor so many times. I was never alone in feeling strong because Dorothy was there to lead me. I was new to state politics. We went to an event and I said I came from Middlesex County. Dorothy said Cork. She introduced me to a lot of things. She became mayor of Somerville and what fun we had. We would drive to Somerville and listen to Irish music in an Irish bar. In so many ways, you have meant so much to me. This is such a wonderful opportunity. Thank you for all you have done, Dorothy.”

Another standing round of applause was given.

— State House News Service (SHNS)