Former State Rep Marie Howe, Original Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Women's Caucus and Human Rights Advocate for Northern Ireland and Sri Lanka

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As Massachusetts completes the celebration of Irish American Heritage Month and Women’s History Month in March, here’s a special shout-out to former Massachusetts State Representative Marie E. Howe, a notable Irish-American woman. 

A lifelong resident of Somerville, Howe was elected to the House of Representatives from the 31st Middlesex District, holding office from 1965 to 1988.  While in office, Marie also served on the Commerce and Labor, Rules, and Ways and Means Committees. She was instrumental in supporting a stronger Lemon Law to make sure consumers got fair treatment when purchasing automobiles.  

Marie was also a trailblazer in terms of women's equality.  In April 1975, Representative Howe and State Representative Lois Pines served as co-chairs of the newly formed Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators, during a time when there were 16 women total in the House and Senate.   Today there are more than 60 legislators in the Massachusetts Caucus of Women.

Among the pressing issues of that time was the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment in Massachusetts, and more locally, the right of women to have equal pay, equal opportunities and equal decision-making duties at the State House. 

(l-r) Marie Howe, Bernadette Devlin and Mel King at the State House, March 14, 1986

Representative Howe’s longstanding commitment to peace and justice in Northern Ireland is one of the hallmarks of her illustrious career. The daughter of Irish immigrants from Cork and Armagh, Howe objected to the poor treatment of Northern Ireland nationalists at the hands of the British Government during the 1970s and 1980s and was quick to protest against British officials who came to town, including a visit from the Royal Family and a visit of a British Tall Ship.  She worked closely with Amnesty International and local groups concerned about the Northern Ireland troubles. In 1979 she introduced a House Resolution calling upon the Governor to declare March 17 as Human Rights Day in Ireland.

Howe was also a strong supporter of human rights in Sri Lanka, and in 1981 filed a resolution on behalf of Sri Lanka Tamils living in Somerville. 

Marie Howe’s papers from her legislative career are at the Massachusetts State Library in the State House.  The papers in the collection consist primarily of correspondence relating to her official duties in the legislature, as well as materials on Northern Ireland and Sri Lanka and her investigation into problems on the MBTA red line. The collection is available to the public.   See details here. 

Research + Text, Michael Quinlin

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