By Amy Swain

Former Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz is looking forward to life after 10 years of faithful service to her ward and the city as a whole.

“The experience of a lifetime” is how Rebekah Gewirtz will think of her time as Ward 6 Alderman. Her term began in 2006, and her replacement has just taken over her post on January 4. “At the risk of sounding cheesy, it’s been a privilege,” she said. “To be elected by the people, and to serve as their representative.”

Gewirtz remembers the anticipation of her first race. At the time she had recently co-founded the Progressive Democrats of Somerville, and was up against twenty-two-year seat holder John M. Connolly. Gewirtz took the seat by 157 votes. “The first years were very challenging. I was very different than other aldermen, coming from the Progressive Democrats of Somerville. There was new wave of politics that I was a part of, and there were some challenging meetings. There were times I was the only vote on certain things, if not one of a few. Could be discouraging, but I felt like I could make a positive change.”

That change, it seems, has happened. “It’s become a more progressive board.” What were some of the changes? “I spent many hours advocating for worker’s rights, for instance. There was a time when many jobs were to be outsourced, I fought that hard, with some other aldermen. There’s a move to outsource things – there are costs that are saved, but so much is lost for people. Three part time jobs don’t give you everything a good full time job can.”

Her hard work did not go unnoticed among her peers. At her final chambers meeting, Gewirtz received a citation for her hard work. President of the Board William A. White, Jr. introduced her with words of sincere appreciation, “I think it is very fitting for you to receive a citation when we’re having a public hearing on economic inequality, because I can think of no other alderman who has been so dedicated to trying to right all of the wrongs that we’ve seen in that area.” White continued that aside from her social justice work, Gewirtz was extremely dedicated in all the details of her ward, “If there was a pothole that needed to be fixed, or a street light, she was there too.”

That is the part of the job Gewirtz says she will miss the most. “There’s a big element of this job that you’re helping people. Not the initiatives, not the policies, it’s people with issues. I’ll miss being in a position to help those people.” Gewirtz’s passion led her to become the best at helping people that she could be. “I actually ended up taking a mediation course because of all the disputes. I think I brought a lot to the role, and I enjoyed it, and I will miss that.”

In her farewell address, Gewirtz recalled, “When I think about what I’m most proud of, I think about the wage theft ordinance. I think about the plastic bag recycling ordinance; I think about the Styrofoam ban. I think about fighting for the West Branch Library. There are so many things. There is so much progress we’ve made.” In a one-on-one conversation with Gewirtz, she mentioned a few more things she’s proud of. “I learned the importance of forging and building relationships. If I’m proud of anything I’ve done, it’s that – fostering some great relationships, especially with people that are so different from me.” It seems it may be hard for Gewirtz to come up with the thing she’s most proud of, and that comes as no surprise, as she’s had her hand in so many important developments in her ten years on the Board.

The most important message for Gewirtz to get across while she has a public podium is the importance of local government. “There is so much focus on state and federal government, and presidential issues. That is important, but it is so important to have someone in a local seat that represents your values as a community.” Gewirtz sees this for herself when she takes her child to Kenney Park, and gets to create memories that would not have been possible without the hard work of the Somerville government.

Moving forward, Gewirtz plans to continue her work in social justice. For two years now, she has worked as Executive Director at the Massachusetts Public Health Association. “I really enjoy it.” She says of the position. The importance and demands of her time were a factor in deciding not to run for her seat as alderman again. “I do have little one, and it became a lot with family and day job. I never wanted to be an alderman for more than 10 years. I don’t see it as a lifetime post. You serve, then you give someone else a chance. For me anyway. It was important that I didn’t stay longer than ten years.” According to other members of the Board, the changes she has made will remain long after she is gone.