Considering her personal and professional background, it is no wonder that Massachusetts State Representative Linda Dorcena Forry is a true friend and champion of small business owners. From her beginnings as the daughter of Haitian immigrants through her college career and into her decade-plus career in city and state government, Rep. Forry consistently has demonstrated a passion for education, community and public service.

Rep. Forry represents parts of Dorchester, Hyde Park, Mattapan and Milton in the 12th Suffolk district. Originally elected to the House in 2005, she was re-elected to her third term last November. Rep. Forry currently serves as co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business and Chair of the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus. The Committee on Community Development and Small Business reviews all legislation that concerns merchants, the establishment of economic districts and local planning commissions, urban renewal and other such issues.

Rep. Forry grew up in the Uphams Corner neighborhood of Dorchester, where her parents settled after emigrating to the U.S. from Haiti in the late 1960’s. “I know how important it is to have people on Beacon Hill fighting on behalf of small business interests,” said Rep. Forry. “I, myself, have a number of family members who own their own small businesses.”

Rep. Forry attended elementary school and high school in Dorchester where she excelled in academics and extracurricular activities. She went on to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Boston College and competed graduate classes in public administration at Suffolk University. Next year Forry will begin her Master’s degree at the Harvard Kennedy School. Her parents’ commitment to church and community rubbed off on Rep. Forry at an early age as evidenced by the numerous volunteer roles she took on throughout her youth and into adulthood. In fact, the Colonel Daniel Marr Boys and Girls Club honored her as the Young Woman of the Decade in 2002.

After graduating from B.C., Rep. Forry served as legislative assistant to Rep. Charlotte Golar Ritchie. Within a year, she was promoted to legislative aide; within three years she had moved up to acting chief of staff. From 1999 to 2005, she worked as part of the executive staff for the Chief of Housing and Director of the Department of Neighborhood Development for the City of Boston. In addition, she has continually served a number of community and nonprofit organizations.

Particularly in light of the current economy, Rep. Forry has been reaching out to small business owners, actively seeking their perspectives and suggestions. “I’ve been on a statewide listening tour, sitting down with small business owners. They are the backbone of the economy and that they are going to be the ones to lead us out of this recession,” Forry said. “We really appreciate their input because we need to do everything we can to make sure small businesses thrive.”

To learn more about Rep. Forry, visit her constituent website at www.lindadorcenaforry.org or her campaign website at www.lindadorcenaforry.com. You can also E-mail her at Rep.LindaDorcenaForry@Hou.State.MA.US or call her office at 617-722-2080.