I was first elected to the 1st Worcester District in November 2010. The district is located about 60 miles west of Boston and includes the towns of Holden, Rutland, Paxton, Princeton, and sections of Sterling and Westminster. As a licensed speech/language pathologist, who has worked with children and adults with special needs and their families, I have a great understanding of the challenges individuals face in the course of their daily lives. That experience has served me well as a member of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, as well as a member of the Education Committee and the Rules Committee. It is an honor and privilege to bring a positive message of hope and change to those in my district and across the state.