Sheila Harrington
Sheila Curran Harrington is an American state legislator serving in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from Groton, Massachusetts in the Republican party.[2] She represents the 1st Middlesex District which includes the towns of Groton, Dunstable, Pepperell, Townsend, Ashby and a precinct in Ayer and Devens. She serves as Ranking Member on the Judiciary Committee and as a member of both the Committee on Rules and the House Committee on Personnel and Administration. She previously served as the Ranking Member on the House Post Audit and Oversight Committee and as a Member of the Veterans and Federal Affairs Committee. She is currently serving her fifth term, since 2011.
Sheila Harrington | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from the 1st Middlesex District | |
| Assumed office January 5, 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Robert Hargraves |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 8, 1960 Salem, Massachusetts |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Steve Harrington |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Providence College (AB) New England Law Boston (JD) |
| Profession | Attorney |
| Salary | $66,257 [1] |
| Website | Government Website Official Website Business Website |
Early Life and Education
Sheila Harrington was born in Salem, Massachusetts and grew up in Danvers, Massachusetts. She attended high school in Peabody at Bishop Fenwick High School[2] She then attended Providence College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work in 1982. Following college, she attended the New England School of Law and was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1986.[2][3]
Career
Sheila has been a practicing attorney in Massachusetts for over 30 years. She continues to have a law practice in Groton, Massachusetts along with two other attorneys.
One of Harrington's most notable positions is her stance on Transgender rights. In an op-ed from the Lowell Sun she wrote, how after "passionately protesting a bill on the Massachusetts House Floor", she came to realize, that was wrong in her own mind.
Saying, "As a member of the Legislature, and a member of the Judiciary Committee, it has been my job to attend hearings and to listen, understand, look at the facts, and refuse to give in to fear or vague speculation as to what could happen. I examined this debate with a more open and honest heart and mind during the hearings that followed my speech six years ago. I listened to law enforcement who offered their professional advice that transgender protections lead to virtually no increase in public safety incidents. I listened to parents who told heartbreaking stories of the hardships their transgender children had faced. I listened to transgender men and women who have faced harassment simply for being who they are. I tried to put myself in their shoes.
I also listened to opponents. However, they did not testify from personal experience or data. Their opposition was overwhelmingly based upon speculation as to the issues we might encounter if this bill passes. Their opposition was rooted in what could happen, not what has happened. Their opposition stemmed from myths, stereotypes, and misconceptions about who transgender people are and what this law would do. Now, we have seen in the past year that their speculation was wrong. This law has only made Massachusetts a stronger, more welcoming place for all.
I have been well aware of the arguments made against transgender rights, because I once made them myself. But I also know now that they are wrong.
Many people have said that they could not support the transgender bill because of their faith. I have been raised as in the Roman Catholic faith all my life. I went to 16 years of Catholic school, including four years at Providence College. I do not purport to be a religious scholar or an expert on the Bible, but there are a few things that I have certainly taken from my faith. I believe God told us to “Love one another as I have loved you!” and he didn’t add, 'unless they are transgender.' Nor did he say, 'Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me … unless they are transgender.' I now support transgender protections fully because of my faith, not in spite of it!"[4]
"Transgender equality is not about a new or special privilege. It is about preventing discrimination, plain and simple. We must have the courage to do what we believe is right. I was wrong six years ago. I’m proud to have done my part last year to make Massachusetts a better, more equal, fairer state for everyone, and I will vote in 2018 to continue treating transgender people fairly and equally."[4]
Electoral History
| 2010 Massachusetts House of Representatives General Election, 1st Middlesex District[5] | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Sheila Harrington | 10,378 | 62.5 |
| Democrat | Jesse Reich | 6,222 | 38.5 |
| 2012 Massachusetts House of Representatives General Election, 1st Middlesex District[5] | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Sheila Harrington | 17,592 | 100 |
| Unopposed | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2014 Massachusetts House of Representatives General Election, 1st Middlesex District[5] | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Sheila Harrington | 9,958 | 64.3 |
| Democrat | Gene Rauhala | 5,530 | 35.7 |
| 2016 Massachusetts House of Representatives General Election, 1st Middlesex District[5] | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Sheila Harrington | 14,984 | 65.2 |
| Democrat | Matthew T. Meneghini | 8,003 | 34.8 |
| 2018 Massachusetts House of Representatives General Election, 1st Middlesex District[5] | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Sheila Harrington | 15,340 | 100 |
| Unopposed | N/A | N/A | N/A |
See also
References
- "Statewide Payroll". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
- "About Sheila". Sheila Harrington for Massachusetts State Representative. The Committee to Elect Sheila Harrington. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
- "Sheila C. Harrington". malegislature.gov. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
- "My Journey from Opposing to Backing Transgender Rights". Lowell Sun.
- https://ballotpedia.org/Sheila_Harrington
