The United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. was sieged in early January 2021 and will forever be scarred in the memory banks of millions for years to come. Within the broad membership of our socially active Massachusetts Senior Action Council (MSAC), we have one particular member who is originally from the nation’s capital, MSAC Boston Chapter member, Linda Freeman.
Linda grew up near the U.S. Capitol Building. From an early age, she learned about the importance of being socially conscious and socially engaged. As she fondly recalls, “my first intro to disabilities was through a Black elder neighbor who was diabetic and could not walk or move her hands.” Linda would provide “direct assistance” to her neighbor by going to the store for her. Little did her young spirit know that this was the beginning of her civic engagement in the fight for social justice.
In 1982, Linda moved to Brookline where she lived for about 8 years and then to the City of Boston. While at the Grove Hall Public Library in Dorchester along with her two little boys, she came across a New England United for Justice’ flyer asking parents to join a meeting to discuss issues their children were having at school. She was asked to became a part of the Special Education Parent Advisory Council because of her fierce pursuit for equity and equal access to education for all regardless of their socio-economic background, race, gender, or ethnicity. At the meeting she met MSAC member, Alan Boothe. Through Alan, she also met Dora Vaughan, another MSAC member. Little did Linda know at the time, these two community activist would lead her to the Mass Senior Action Council once retirement was in view.
Later, Linda Freeman joined MSAC because of the issues affecting seniors of which, as she stated, “would eventually include myself.” She remembers one particular campaign. She recalled “The RIDE wanted to charge more yet they were often late causing many seniors to have to reschedule their appointments.” She went on to say that aside from that issue, “The RIDE employees would resist assisting folks with disabilities due to the regulations at the time.” Linda was not surprised at the treatment toward the disabled as she herself, a parent of a special needs student, Linda saw firsthand the bias towards people with disabilities. Having attended a parochial school as a child, Linda says that she was “taught respect, acceptance of others, as well as the differences in people. Before departing the 8th grade, I was taught to be an asset to the world outside.” This is particularly evident as she is an active and engaged participant throughout many social justice initiatives including those of our mighty MSAC. Linda continues to be actively involved, attends meetings regularly, and is a Boston Chapter Board Officer. Like many seniors, she too has had to undergo the learning curve of technology and participates in other community meetings via Zoom. Like her father who was a U.S. Serviceman and part of the “Flying Tigers,” Linda has the fight for justice in her. Linda will not allow the actions of January 6th, to deter her pursuit for social justice for all. Linda is proud to be a part of the blue shirts’ movement to Take Charge!