2008 Program Members

Emerge Massachusetts just concluded its second year of training a diverse group of remarkable Democratic women. Click on the links below to learn more about these fabulous women who are about to "Emerge" and change the political landscape of Massachusetts for the better!

Jackie Doherty (Class of 2008)

Lowell School Committee

Jackie is the Vice-Chair of the Lowell's School Committee and proud alumna from the Emerge Massachusetts, Class of 2008. Although she already held an elected position when she started Emerge, Jackie said she joined because "I was so frustrated by the negative energy in the political system here in the city, I wasn't feeling a lot of support in my efforts and it was starting to make me feel somewhat isolated and worn down." As she had hoped, Emerge provided Jackie with access to local politicians who similarly prioritized education in their various positions. As a member of the School Committee, Jackie's primary goal continues to be improving the quality of education, for students at all achievement levels, narrowing existing gaps and staying conscious of budgetary concerns.

Rebecca Lisi (Class of 2008)

Holyoke City Councilor

Rebecca is an active member of the Holyoke Youth Task Force, the Holyoke YMCA, Holyoke Unites/Holyoke Se Une, and currently sits on the Board of Directors for Nueva Esperanza, Holyoke’s flagship Latino organization. Rebecca is also a founding member of the citizens’ network C.R.U.S.H (Citizens for the Revitalization and Urban Success of Holyoke) whose mission is to create positive change in Holyoke by facilitating connections between people, resources, and ideas. Rebecca is driven by her passion for participatory politics and in 2008 began a graduate program at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where she is a Ph.D. candidate in Political Science. Rebecca is happy serving the Holyoke community as a City Councilor at-Large and is an alumna from the Emerge Class of 2008.

Chrismaldi Vasquez

Ruth Rodriguez-Fay

Jen Deerinwater

Anastasia Dubrovsky

Denise Clark

Tami Gouveia-Vigeant

Ariela Gragg

Laurie Leyshon

Shruti Sehra

Sarah Steinfeld

April Taylor

Catherine Pisacane

Astrid afKlinteberg

Photo Gallery

2008 Program Members