BOSTON--April 5, 2011-Massachusetts Government
Appointment Project (MassGAP) Chair, Mary Fifield, congratulated
Governor Deval Patrick today on the approval of his appointments
to the Massachusetts Parole Board, three of whom--Charlene M. Bonner,
Ina R. Howard-Hogan, andLucy Soto-Abe--are women.
"With these appointments, Governor Patrick continues to advance
his laudatory commitment to reforming and reshaping the Parole Board.MassGAP
agrees with the Governor that these new appointments will help restore
the public trust and confidence in the oversight and management
of this crucial agency," said Ms. Fifield.
The three women appointees include Ms. Bonner, a forensic psychologist
whose background includes conducting competency evaluations in Plymouth
County courts; Ms. Howard-Hogan, former state and county prosecutor,
who has also served as general counsel of the Parole Board since
January 2009; and Ms. Soto-Abe, a longtime victim advocate in the
office of the Hampden County district attorney who also has a degree
in forensic psychology.
MassGAP Executive Director, Amy Burke, noted that these appointments
are in line with the chief objective of MassGAP, which is to achieve
political parity by having more capable and talented women appointed
to senior government positions. "We commend Governor Patrick
for his support in bringing more women into state government,"
Ms. Burke said. "State government works better when there is
greater diversity representing our interests."
For information about the Massachusetts Government Appointment Project
(MassGAP) and its upcoming gala event to celebrate women in state
government on May 2, visit www.massgap.org.
About MassGAP
The Massachusetts Government Appointment Project (MassGAP) was founded
in 2002 as a non-partisan organization comprised of more than fifty
women's groups statewide. MassGAP's mission is to increase the number
of women appointed to senior-level cabinet positions, agency heads,
and board and commissions in the Commonwealth. The Massachusetts
Women's Political Caucus is the Lead Sponsor of this collaboration.
In addition to partnering with the Governor's office, MassGAP is
pleased to be supporting the outreach efforts of the state's new
Auditor, Suzanne Bump. Please visit www.massgap.org
for more information.
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