Tweet
WIFE OF BOSTON MAYORAL CANDIDATE CONNOLLY HOPES TO BRING ARMENIAN FLAVOR TO CITY HALL
BOSTON, COMMUNITY | OCTOBER 30, 2013 1:24 PM
By Gabriella Gage
The Connolly family, from left: Meg Connolly and her husband,
Boston mayoral candidate John R. Connolly, with children, Clare,
Mary Katherine and Edward
Mirror-Spectator Staff
BOSTON - Meg Kassakian Connolly, is more than just the wife of Boston
mayoral hopeful, John R. Connolly; she is a clinical psychologist with
a passion for issues of mental health and immigration. She is a Harvard
graduate and a soccer champ. She is a mother of three. She is also an
Armenian-American with a deep appreciation for her family's heritage.
Connolly grew up in Newton, attending public schools, before going
on to Harvard University, where she studied sociology and captained
the soccer team.
She has fond memories celebrating holidays with delicious Armenian
food and spending time with her paternal grandmother, Mary Kassakian
(maiden name Kondrajian,) who instilled in her an appreciation for
her Armenian heritage and for the gift of family.
The Kondrajians arrived at Ellis Island from Sivas in 1910, narrowly
missing the Genocide, amid the escalating climate of fear - a blessing
that her grandmother did not fail to appreciate.
"She would always tell me how lucky I was to know my grandparents,"
said Connolly. "There was a great optimism but also a deep sadness
that would come across when she would talk about it."
Kassakian family portrait years after leaving Istanbul at the turn
of the century. Meg Connolly's grandfather, Zareh Kapriel Kassakian,
is pictured at left as a young boy.
Mugerdich Kondrajian, Mary's father, worked hard toward the "American
Dream" while also taking time to participate in the building of the
new Armenian-American community blossoming in the Northeast.
Kondrajian went on to become one of the founding members of the
Armenian General Benevolent Union's (AGBU) New York Chapter.
Meg Connolly's paternal grandfather's family, the Kassakians, arrived
years before the Kondrajians, and also shared the dual appreciation
of embracing the culture of their new home while remembering their
Armenian heritage. Both the Kassakian and Kondrajian families were
involved in the rug business. Kapriel Kassakian hailed from Istanbul
originally and in 1906 was involved in the groundbreaking and founding
of Holy Cross Armenian Church in Union City, NJ.
Given the history of her family's involvement in developing the
Armenian community in the Northeast, it is no surprise Meg Connolly
feels especially grateful for the installation of the Armenian Heritage
Park and the Genocide Memorial.
"I'm so proud that Boston has a park that remembers the Armenian
Genocide. I was really grateful to know that Councilor [Michael] Ross
had advocated strongly for that park and I thanked him. It's very
meaningful to myself and my family that it is being acknowledged and
presented in such a beautiful way. I'm going to have a place to take
my children to help them learn and understand what happened when they
are old enough," said Connolly.
Bringing Heritage Park to fruition was in large part due to a strong
working relationship between Mayor Tom Menino and the Greater Boston
Armenian community.
It is exactly this kind of relationship and open willingness to work
with others that Meg Connolly said her husband John, will foster
if elected mayor of Boston. "John will absolutely continue this
relationship and take an interest in the issues that matter to his
constituents," she said.
She also sees other overlaps between her husband's vision and the
issues important to Armenians in the area. "Armenians bring so much
to the Greater Boston community. So many people in the community
contribute in different ways because of the values they came here with
and because they understand the struggles and are very grateful for
what they have because of their history. [Armenians] value education
so highly, social justice and generosity," she said.
"The love of education is one reason that I believe John would resonate
well with the Armenian community. Education is huge for him as well."
Groundbreaking of Holy Cross Armenian Church, Union City, New Jersey
in 1906, Meg Connolly's paternal great-grandfather, Kapriel Kassakian,
attended as a founding church member.
The couple has three children: Clare, 5, Edward (Teddy), 4, (named
after her Armenian uncle, Edward, who died of pancreatic cancer
shortly after Teddy's birth) and Mary Katherine (MaryKate), 2 months,
named after Meg's beloved grandmother.
Clare Connolly is already in the Boston school system.
"Improving the opportunities and quality of education for all people in
the city, especially children who are under-served is a huge passion
of his as shown by his work on the City Council and his work as a
teacher," his wife said.
John Connolly had worked as a teacher at the Boston Renaissance
Charter School and a school in New York's Lower East Side.
"John has a real personal investment in the city as a parent with
children growing up here," she added.
Meg Connolly praised her husband's independence of thought. "He got
into this race before Mayor Menino, whom we have a great respect for,
announced his departure. I think that shows a real dedication to his
vision and ideas and his ability to make difficult decisions and
take a stand. He is not bogged down by outside interests or union
interests. He isn't owned by anyone."
Meg Connolly stressed her commitment to community mental health,
issues of trauma facing the immigrant population and the trickle-down
effects of exposure to violence.
Young Mary Kondrajian, pictured left, paternal grandmother of Meg
Connolly. The Kondrajians arrived at Ellis Island in 1910.
"I would welcome a role as a psychologist taking a huge interest in
the intersection of mental health and public health, the experience of
the diverse range of immigrants coming to our city and their varied
experiences. I would be extremely committed to making sure that
our city is as warm and welcoming as possible, taking real time to
listen and learn of their experiences whether it be housing, jobs,
educational opportunities, mental health service and public health
services," she noted.
She added that with her background she could "bring a real dedication
to the interests of Armenians in the Greater Boston area and those in
Armenia. I would be really interested in bringing together a trade
delegation to see how we might come together and visit Armenia to
understand their needs: social, physical, mental health, public health,
medical facilities and infrastructure of the country."
She is not the only member of the family with ties to Armenia. She
said, if her husband is elected mayor, she would also work with
John's uncle, Greg Connolly, a professor of public health at Harvard
University, who has worked to curb the smoking epidemic in Armenia,
a leading public health issue there.
Voters in Boston go to the polls on November 5.
- See more at:
http://www.mirrorspectator.com/2013/10/30/wife-of-boston-mayoral-candidate-connolly-hopes-to-bring-armenian-flavor-to-city-hall/#sthash.6ZLYb3BV.dpuf
BOSTON, COMMUNITY | OCTOBER 30, 2013 1:24 PM
By Gabriella Gage
The Connolly family, from left: Meg Connolly and her husband,
Boston mayoral candidate John R. Connolly, with children, Clare,
Mary Katherine and Edward
Mirror-Spectator Staff
BOSTON - Meg Kassakian Connolly, is more than just the wife of Boston
mayoral hopeful, John R. Connolly; she is a clinical psychologist with
a passion for issues of mental health and immigration. She is a Harvard
graduate and a soccer champ. She is a mother of three. She is also an
Armenian-American with a deep appreciation for her family's heritage.
Connolly grew up in Newton, attending public schools, before going
on to Harvard University, where she studied sociology and captained
the soccer team.
She has fond memories celebrating holidays with delicious Armenian
food and spending time with her paternal grandmother, Mary Kassakian
(maiden name Kondrajian,) who instilled in her an appreciation for
her Armenian heritage and for the gift of family.
The Kondrajians arrived at Ellis Island from Sivas in 1910, narrowly
missing the Genocide, amid the escalating climate of fear - a blessing
that her grandmother did not fail to appreciate.
"She would always tell me how lucky I was to know my grandparents,"
said Connolly. "There was a great optimism but also a deep sadness
that would come across when she would talk about it."
Kassakian family portrait years after leaving Istanbul at the turn
of the century. Meg Connolly's grandfather, Zareh Kapriel Kassakian,
is pictured at left as a young boy.
Mugerdich Kondrajian, Mary's father, worked hard toward the "American
Dream" while also taking time to participate in the building of the
new Armenian-American community blossoming in the Northeast.
Kondrajian went on to become one of the founding members of the
Armenian General Benevolent Union's (AGBU) New York Chapter.
Meg Connolly's paternal grandfather's family, the Kassakians, arrived
years before the Kondrajians, and also shared the dual appreciation
of embracing the culture of their new home while remembering their
Armenian heritage. Both the Kassakian and Kondrajian families were
involved in the rug business. Kapriel Kassakian hailed from Istanbul
originally and in 1906 was involved in the groundbreaking and founding
of Holy Cross Armenian Church in Union City, NJ.
Given the history of her family's involvement in developing the
Armenian community in the Northeast, it is no surprise Meg Connolly
feels especially grateful for the installation of the Armenian Heritage
Park and the Genocide Memorial.
"I'm so proud that Boston has a park that remembers the Armenian
Genocide. I was really grateful to know that Councilor [Michael] Ross
had advocated strongly for that park and I thanked him. It's very
meaningful to myself and my family that it is being acknowledged and
presented in such a beautiful way. I'm going to have a place to take
my children to help them learn and understand what happened when they
are old enough," said Connolly.
Bringing Heritage Park to fruition was in large part due to a strong
working relationship between Mayor Tom Menino and the Greater Boston
Armenian community.
It is exactly this kind of relationship and open willingness to work
with others that Meg Connolly said her husband John, will foster
if elected mayor of Boston. "John will absolutely continue this
relationship and take an interest in the issues that matter to his
constituents," she said.
She also sees other overlaps between her husband's vision and the
issues important to Armenians in the area. "Armenians bring so much
to the Greater Boston community. So many people in the community
contribute in different ways because of the values they came here with
and because they understand the struggles and are very grateful for
what they have because of their history. [Armenians] value education
so highly, social justice and generosity," she said.
"The love of education is one reason that I believe John would resonate
well with the Armenian community. Education is huge for him as well."
Groundbreaking of Holy Cross Armenian Church, Union City, New Jersey
in 1906, Meg Connolly's paternal great-grandfather, Kapriel Kassakian,
attended as a founding church member.
The couple has three children: Clare, 5, Edward (Teddy), 4, (named
after her Armenian uncle, Edward, who died of pancreatic cancer
shortly after Teddy's birth) and Mary Katherine (MaryKate), 2 months,
named after Meg's beloved grandmother.
Clare Connolly is already in the Boston school system.
"Improving the opportunities and quality of education for all people in
the city, especially children who are under-served is a huge passion
of his as shown by his work on the City Council and his work as a
teacher," his wife said.
John Connolly had worked as a teacher at the Boston Renaissance
Charter School and a school in New York's Lower East Side.
"John has a real personal investment in the city as a parent with
children growing up here," she added.
Meg Connolly praised her husband's independence of thought. "He got
into this race before Mayor Menino, whom we have a great respect for,
announced his departure. I think that shows a real dedication to his
vision and ideas and his ability to make difficult decisions and
take a stand. He is not bogged down by outside interests or union
interests. He isn't owned by anyone."
Meg Connolly stressed her commitment to community mental health,
issues of trauma facing the immigrant population and the trickle-down
effects of exposure to violence.
Young Mary Kondrajian, pictured left, paternal grandmother of Meg
Connolly. The Kondrajians arrived at Ellis Island in 1910.
"I would welcome a role as a psychologist taking a huge interest in
the intersection of mental health and public health, the experience of
the diverse range of immigrants coming to our city and their varied
experiences. I would be extremely committed to making sure that
our city is as warm and welcoming as possible, taking real time to
listen and learn of their experiences whether it be housing, jobs,
educational opportunities, mental health service and public health
services," she noted.
She added that with her background she could "bring a real dedication
to the interests of Armenians in the Greater Boston area and those in
Armenia. I would be really interested in bringing together a trade
delegation to see how we might come together and visit Armenia to
understand their needs: social, physical, mental health, public health,
medical facilities and infrastructure of the country."
She is not the only member of the family with ties to Armenia. She
said, if her husband is elected mayor, she would also work with
John's uncle, Greg Connolly, a professor of public health at Harvard
University, who has worked to curb the smoking epidemic in Armenia,
a leading public health issue there.
Voters in Boston go to the polls on November 5.
- See more at:
http://www.mirrorspectator.com/2013/10/30/wife-of-boston-mayoral-candidate-connolly-hopes-to-bring-armenian-flavor-to-city-hall/#sthash.6ZLYb3BV.dpuf