BRATTLEBORO — I support Mollie Burke for state representative for Brattleboro District 2.
I have known and appreciated Mollie as a friend for 40 years. Mollie is a deep, clear, and careful thinker, problem solver, innovator, team builder, and community member.
She has been an advocate for families and children ever since she moved to Brattleboro in 1970. She is the founder, executive director and lead teacher of Art in the Neighborhood, a nonprofit organization that provides year-round tuition-free arts classes to youth in Brattleboro's low-income neighborhoods.
The program also employs local artists as instructors, which provides job opportunities for area arts professionals.
As the founder of the New England Youth Theatre, I know how life-transforming and esteem-empowering the creation of art is for children. Mollie gets that, lives that, and makes it happen for child after child in Brattleboro.
In addition, Mollie's legislative effort to make bicycle riding safer in Vermont has benefited me as a bike rider.
In the state legislature during the past eight years, Mollie has co-chaired the Legislative Women's Caucus, which focuses on improving economic circumstances for Vermont women and on advocating alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent female offenders.
She has committed herself to preserving Vermont's stellar environment by being an active member of the Legislative Climate Caucus. She supports the Climate Change Economy Initiative, a competitive strategy for promoting innovative economic development while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders writes that “Mollie has done an excellent job in Montpelier standing up for working families and common sense government. I am pleased to support her re-election effort.”
I completely agree. I urge you to join me in voting for Mollie.