Pamela Taylor lives in the Melville Park Neighborhood in Dorchester and is retired from Mass General Hospital where she worked as human resource administrative secretary.
When Pamela retired, there was never any doubt that she would be active with the many organizations she belonged to because activism is stamped in her genes. At a young age she was recruited by her grandmother, who was president of the Boston NAACP in the 1950’s, to help get out the vote. Pamela would accompany her grandmother to drop off literature across the city and prepare mailings to let voters know about the people running for office. Together they traipsed many streets and ran up the stairs of the brownstones to increase the minority vote.
During Pamela’s college years in the mid-sixties she participated in many set-ins, protests, and rallies against the Vietnam war and the military industrial complex.
Pamela found out about MSAC when driving in Jamaica Plain and observed a rally with people who looked her age chanting “we don't take, we take charge!” Pamela recalled getting out of her car to find out the “people in blue shirts” were protesting a greedy landlord who was blocking affordable senior housing next to the Turtle Swamp Brewery. Pamela joined in the rally that day and said she was “hooked” from then on.
Since that day, Pamela has been actively participating in many of the MSAC actions, “I remember with pride fighting for the senior housing next to the Brewery. At our last demonstration I portrayed Monty Gold (the greedy Landlord) by wearing The Grinch costume to highlight that his “greedy side” was blocking the much-needed housing. Playing the Grinch was fun and added a theatrical flair to the rally! The result of our activism is that Monty Gold dropped the lawsuit, and the construction of the senior housing moved forward.”
Pamela recalled another important moment, “As I said, I love being involved in the protest rallies, especially a big one I attended in Springfield. It was a very emotional protest directed at the city’s Mayor and Chief of police for not holding police officers who were responsible for shooting a young, black, teen accountable. Others were there to bring attention to different officers who were found guilty of excessive force. Even though the rally had dark moments there were bright spots too. I remember being in awe as I stood united in our famous blue shirts with MSAC members from across the state. That assembly made me realize the size of the MSAC’s people power. It really is so impressive to be a part of this organization.”
Pamela shared a few of the many things she loves about MSAC, “The people and the loyalty of the membership to improve the lives of Massachusetts seniors is very motivating. Many of us come from such different backgrounds but are focused on conquering anything that is standing in our path for justice.”
Looking ahead to 2023, Pamela is excited to continue MSAC’s work to increase affordable housing and lower the cost for healthcare, improve public transportation and options for long term care, along with environmental justice. There is something for everyone at MSAC.