- Community Leader
- Educator
- Social Worker
- Small Business Owner
- Town Councilor
Why I’m Running
2023: There is much work to do! Please subscribe to my newsletter, follow me on social media, drop me an email, call me, join my Zoom office hours, or stop me when you see me around. It is a joy for me to help solve issues for residents and to have a positive impact on our community.
2021: I entered the race to become a Town Councilor because I believe Braintree can be a vibrant, healthy, and inclusive place for individuals and families to live, work, and thrive. I view the Town Council as a vehicle for improving the quality of life for everyone, by creating a healthy and safe community.
East Braintree is surrounded by beautiful natural resources, and yet our community has been in steep environmental decline. All around us are hazardous pollutants contaminating the water, eroding the coast, and poisoning the air many District 3 residents breathe. The negative impacts on families in Braintree, Quincy, Weymouth, and Hingham are well-known.
Braintree is also facing costly repairs to our schools on the heels of devastating teacher cuts. We have few affordable housing options for seniors wishing to live near their grandchildren or for young families starting out. As a small business owner, I know our local business community is struggling to rebound following the economic impact of the pandemic. We know there are significant fiscal concerns ahead. I am ready to step up to this challenge and look at solutions that are right for our whole community.
As a social worker, non-profit leader, college professor, and small business owner, I’ve spent my professional career addressing social and economic challenges. There are no quick fixes for economic deficits and environmental crises. We must find sustainable new revenue streams and be careful fiscal stewards. Building strong and vibrant communities requires digging deep and having the drive and determination to do the hard work. That form of civic engagement is what I’m passionate about, and I’m excited to do the hard work for Braintree.
I’m proud to say I’m supported by a broad array of families, leaders, small business owners, educators, seniors, elected officials, advocates, retirees, future voters, professionals, homeowners, renters, old Braintree, new Braintree, and everyone in between.
Roots
I grew up the youngest of four girls. At ten years old, I organized a backyard fair to raise funds for a neighborhood playmate who was ill. I raised $17 that day and was bitten by the public service bug. I spent 25 years in non-profit leadership positions addressing social issues that impact the lives of families and children. Now I teach about these issues as an adjunct faculty member at various Boston colleges. I moved to Braintree in 2011 when I married my husband Stephen, who has been working for the Braintree Public Schools Transportation Department for over 20 years. We are passionate animal and environmental advocates. We live with our two rescue dogs, Stella and Lola. (2023 Update: Stella and Lola are no longer with us 😥, but we adopted two more, Bugger and Stewie❣️)
Background
Elizabeth has spent over 25 years in public policy and non-profit leadership positions addressing serious social issues facing children and families. Currently a college professor, she helps others learn about addressing these issues. She teaches undergrads and graduate students at various colleges in Boston, including Emerson College, Simmons School of Social Work, Wheelock School of Social Work, and Urban College of Boston.
Elizabeth has a Bachelor’s Degree from Boston University in political science and a Master of Social Work degree in policy and administration from Catholic University. She is certified in conflict resolution from the New York Institute for Mediation and Conflict Resolution. She recently completed her second certification from Cornell University and the Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies; both focused on plant-based nutrition and sustainability.
In November of 2021, Elizabeth was elected as the District 3 Councilor for Braintree. She currently serves as the Chair of the Community Planning Committee, the Vice Chair of the Public Safety Committee, and is a member of the Ways & Means Committee. As a Councilor she has been a voice for East Braintree and all of Braintree, focusing on quality-of-life issues such as public health and safety, ensuring inclusion and equity for all, calling for more transparency of town operations and spending, and consistently communicating with residents in order to learn, share, and represent. In her first term as Councilor, Elizabeth filed four ordinances based on input from residents. One passed, one is making its way through the committee process, and two are pending.
Community Involvement
Sustainable Braintree
Sustainable Braintree is a community advocacy group committed to helping Braintree residents, community groups, businesses, and local government, conserve energy, promote clean and renewable energy, protect and restore the environment, and live a healthy, sustainable lifestyle. Elizabeth joined the Steering Committee of Sustainable Braintree in 2022.
Massachusetts Coalition to End Puppy Mills
Elizabeth helped start and currently leads the Massachusetts Coalition to End Puppy Mills. Founded in 2013, this group of animal advocates formed a coalition of groups from across the state to create greater protections for animals being sold in Massachusetts The group has filed legislation to prevent retail shops from selling puppies and kittens raised in mills and then shipped to pet stores in Massachusetts. The bill is intended to help stores shift to a more humane model of doing business.
Not Your Average Salsa
Elizabeth and her husband started Not Your Average Salsa in 2018. After years of shopping at the Braintree Farmers Market, they decided to try their hand at making healthy and indulgent food to sell at farmers’ markets and pop-ups at local breweries.
Fore River Residents Against the Compressor Station (FRRACS)
Elizabeth is a dedicated fan and member of FRRACS. They have done a tremendous amount of legal work and public advocacy, and they were able to delay the construction of the compressor station for over 6 years. Unfortunately, Governor Baker deemed the construction workers as essential employees during COVID-19, so the compressor station was forced on the community during an actual quarantine-related shutdown.
Braintree Democratic Town Committee
Elizabeth is a member of the Braintree Dems. She enjoyed attending pre-COVID events at Widowmaker Brewery and volunteering on various campaigns during elections.
From Elizabeth’s Supporters
“It is vitally important that our local officials understand and are active in decisions that will affect the environment of their town. The climate crisis and the health and well being of all of our residents are intricately tied. Liz Maglio clearly understands this and has been an active member of our no compressor group for several years. The life of the Fore River Basin communities depends on full engagement from our elected officials. Liz will be such an official!”
Alice Arena, Environmental Activist
Elizabeth is an unstoppable advocate for the issues she cares about. For the past few years, I have been fortunate to partner with Elizabeth on legislation to ban the commercial sale of cats and dogs in pet shops, which would effectively end the supply-and-demand relationship between Massachusetts and puppy mills. Through our work together, I have seen the level of dedication that she commits to her work. Thanks to Elizabeth’s compassion, work ethic, and professionalism, our legislation has made tremendous progress. I have no doubt that she will bring that same level of devotion to every challenge she meets.
Senator Pat O’Connor, Lead Sponsor of Senate Bill 240
Elizabeth truly cares about our community and will work tirelessly to help us improve it.
Kelly Marcinkowski, District 3 Resident
Elizabeth is smart, tough, and ready to lead. She’ll be an amazing councilor for Braintree.
Matt O’Malley, Boston City Councilor
Elizabeth is passionate about our local environment and public health. I know she will be a fierce advocate on the town council against the Weymouth Compressor Station and for a cleaner, more healthy future.
Robert Kearns, Environmental Advocate
Elizabeth is a great neighbor and an asset to the community.
Melissa Barone, District 3 Resident
Elizabeth is passionate about the issues facing East Braintree, the entire town, and society overall. Her enthusiasm and caring will be a welcome addition to our town government.
Paul Hennessy, District 3 Resident
Liz is a smart, fierce, and loyal advocate for our neighborhood’s health and safety, especially related to dangers such as the compressor station.
Suzanne Brothers, District 3 Resident
Liz not only talks the talk but walks the walk. She is a woman of action. Prior to stepping up as a candidate for district councilor, Liz has been outspoken on issues that impact health, safety and inclusion in her neighborhood. She is a champion for East Braintree.
Lisa Fiske Heger, Former Chair of the Braintree School Committee
“Liz is a candidate whose strong advocacy skills will work to improve important community issues around environmental health, community accessibility, inclusion, and overall quality of life for the residents of Braintree.”
Crystal Evans, Braintree Resident