To the Editor:
Andrea Harrington is a colleague and a friend and I strongly encourage everyone reading this to vote for her, especially working moms like Andrea.
I have peripherally watched campaign information covered in the local media and thought it all pretty standard until I read that Andrea’s opponent [Rinaldo Del Gallo] said she’s been “invisible.” I know Andrea pretty well as a fierce and brilliant litigator, community volunteer, but most importantly, as a mother of two boys. I took great offense to this description of Andrea as “invisible,” because I have seen her in action at work and with her family.
I am personally not a huge feminist but I do run a law practice and I have been an elected official in Berkshire County and quickly noted the subtle sexism from Andrea’s opponent in calling a female candidate “invisible.” It struck the same ugly cord as calling a female candidate “unbecoming” in a statewide election here in Massachusetts. That off the cuff sexist remark made national headlines.
Women of Berkshire County, please take note that your work as a mother and employee makes you “invisible” to Andrea’s opponent. You are not invisible. How many of us working moms get up early to get our children ready for school or daycare and prepare their lunches while attempting to get ready for work ourselves? We work all day and come home to prepare dinner, do homework, give baths, play games, and do a bedtime routine.
If Andrea were a male candidate she would have been lauded for her successful law practice while being a “family man.” There is no similar term for women like Andrea and it’s a disgrace to call Andrea “invisible,” especially if you know her. It is a disgrace to call any working mother “invisible” because we are anything but invisible to our children.
Andrea does not attend gratuitous political events, and maybe that is why she was deemed “invisible” by her opponent. Working mothers do not have time for nonsense, hand shaking, back slapping or pointless exercises in local politics. Working mothers work. Andrea works at everything she does and she’s a success. She’s a phenomenal attorney, she is a smart businesswoman, and she’s a great mother and wife. Like I said, if she were a male candidate I would have written, “she is a family man.”
If you want a poised, brilliant, family oriented, and driven leader in Boston, vote for Andrea Harrington.
Jennifer M. Breen
North Adams
The writer is a former North Adams City Councilor.
