January 5, 2023, was an exceptional date for Massachusetts.
It was the Healey-Driscoll Inauguration date. Maura Healey is the state’s first woman, the first openly lesbian, and the first professional basketball player elected governor.
I want to be at the celebrations for this historic moment. I used all my savings to purchase the benefactor package to support this special celebration for the all-women executive team.
The celebrations have on super high atmosphere from beginning to end. The theme of the inauguration party was “moving the ball forward.” It referenced Healey’s time as a college and professional basketball player.
Six-time Grammy Award-winning artist Brandi Carlile was the headliner for the inaugural celebration for Governor Maura Healey and Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll’s administration at TD Garden.
The TD Garden celebration featured talents with diverse backgrounds.
*The Boston Gay Men’s Chorus is one of New England’s largest and most successful community-based choruses. Founded in 1982, the over 200-voice ensemble is celebrated for its outstanding musicianship, creative programming, groundbreaking community outreach, and innovative educational program.
*Lynn native DJ Frenchy, recent recipient of the “Advancing Equity Award” from Mass Now and a Board member of Trans Resistance MA.
Abilities Dance Boston is a dance company dedicated to using dance as a tool for intersectional disability rights in the greater Boston area and beyond. The company engages with the community to further promote its mission, organizing intersectional disability rights lectures and movement workshops for all ages.
*OOMPA is a nationally acclaimed, Boston-born hip-hop artist. She was named one of NPR’s 2020 Slingshot Artists to Watch. Her engaging, interactive performing style has earned her 3 Boston Music Awards, including a recent victory for Best Live Act in 2022, amongst an unprecedented 14 nominations.
*SciTech Band, the award-winning Springfield High School of Science and Technology Band Program and the subject of a national documentary about the transformative power of student ownership in the classroom. Known to city residents as “The Pride of Springfield,” the SciTech Band Program is committed to empowering student leaders. Band students received the Massachusetts Commonwealth Award, the state’s highest honor for arts achievement. Following their motto “Seek to Serve,” band leaders actively mentor younger students through Springfield’s Mentoring Through Music Program.
Healey-Driscoll inspires me and is a role model for the first women’s executive team.
These are from official program descriptions.
Reported by Grace K. Cai
Grace is a high schooler in Newton, MA. She has been a board member of the Global Youth Philanthropy Students’ Board for more than one year. She is also in GYP-Boston Youth Journalist’s club.