In Honor of Donna Kelly-Williams, Rn, President, Massachusetts Nurses Association

Floor Speech

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Mr. LYNCH. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of Donna Kelly- Williams in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the American Labor Movement, the Massachusetts Nurses Association and for nearly fifty years of dedicated service to her community.

The daughter of Louise and John Kelly of Somerville, MA, Donna was born on September 19, 1954. Her family lived on Marion Street in Somerville until they moved to Arlington, MA. Donna and her husband Bill bought a house just a few doors down from her parents where they reside today.

Donna attended St. Joseph's High School in Somerville. Subsequently, she enrolled at LaSalle College where she earned her nursing degree. She then enrolled at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, earning her undergraduate degree, and then earning a Masters' Degree at Cambridge College. In 2007, she attended the Harvard Trade Union Labor Program.

Madam Speaker, Donna took a job at Cambridge Hospital and observed a strike by a union at the hospital. She called her father and he instructed her to come home immediately and not cross the picket line. This incident sparked her fire for collective bargaining, workers' rights and fair representation.

Donna accepted a nursing position at Cambridge Hospital, becoming the President of the Cambridge Hospital MNA Bargaining Committee. Not surprisingly, she rose to the position of Vice-President of the MNA, and for the past twelve years has been President of the MNA.

During her tenure as MNA President, Donna has worked ferociously to represent the nurses and health care professionals in this state. She has accomplished much: legislation banning mandatory overtime was passed as well as legislation limiting the number of patients assigned to ICU nurses across the Commonwealth.

Throughout this COVID 19 pandemic, Donna has fought for PPE for healthcare professionals, for legislation to limit occupational exposure to COVID 19, and to eliminate the re-use of n95 masks which endangers the safety of those who use them. She has worked to secure housing for nurses who are fearful of carrying the virus home, and for counseling for those who are in need.

Madam Speaker, Donna is known for her kind smile, quick sense of humor, her relentless energy when fighting for her nurses and her affection for Dunkin' Donuts iced coffee. She has had the good fortune to be married to Bill for 42 years. They are the proud parents of four children and three grandchildren.

It is my distinct honor to join with Donna Kelly-Williams' family, friends, and contemporaries to thank her for her service to the American Labor Movement, and for her dedication to nurses and patients across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

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