By: Rebecca Schuette
Precinct 4
Please join me on April 9th in casting your vote for Erin Boles Welsh for Select Board.
I’ve been lucky enough to cross paths with Erin repeatedly over the last four decades. I first met her here in Dedham at Rustcraft Field, when we played together for Dedham Youth Soccer, and we had a blast developing a joint love of team sports.
Later, in high school, sports united us again, this time on the field hockey field, where I could always count on her strong defense supporting me as a midfielder. We also competed alongside one another as teammates on the DHS Track and Field team, where she excelled as a hurdler and long and triple jumper.
Following college, we coincidentally both moved to Oak Square, Brighton and reconnected once more, this time trying to translate our field hockey skills into a coed floor hockey league. It was at this point that our friendship deepened beyond the sports arena, and I realized how amazingly strong, compassionate and capable she is.
During what should have been our care-free 20s, Erin bravely fought cancer, enduring months of treatment while continuing to work and keeping a smile on her face. When her cancer went into remission, she dedicated her professional life to improving the health of all people. In her position as the Interim Executive Director of the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition, she worked alongside legislators to pass policies that led to new regulations that removed harmful chemicals from baby bottles and advanced women’s health through her testimony for the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
Erin’s civic engagement extends into her personal life. She’s been a great role model for me, especially in terms of local activism. She armed the town with important data to help people make informed decisions throughout the pandemic. She’s been actively involved in local issues and has taken her role as Town Meeting Member seriously, diligently researching the issues that she’s been asked to vote on, as well as talking to her constituents to better understand everyone’s perspectives on issues impacting the town.
When I moved back to Dedham 6 years ago, Erin gave me a card that said “Sometimes, right back where you started from is right where you belong.” I am so grateful to be back in Dedham to raise my four children. I welcome you to join me in casting a vote for Erin for Select Board on April 9th as I know she’ll work to make our town an even more amazing place to call home.