Support Dovie King For Wayland Board Of Selectmen: Letter

The following letter to the editor does not reflect the views of Wayland Patch

I am writing to fully endorse Dovie King for the Wayland Board of Selectmen.

Dovie will be a strong and committed advocate for all community members. The Board needs a Select person like her who has a rich history of volunteering and helping community members in need, both children and adults. She will ensure that even the most marginalized individuals can have a voice, and she will not hesitate to seek solutions for difficult issues that face our community. Dovie has a background as an award-winning attorney, educator, advocate, the executive director of an organization committed to education on intimate partner violence, and active member of many other committees and groups.

As the Chair of Wayland’s Human Rights, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, Dovie proactively created many forums for the community to learn about and discuss issues ranging from domestic violence, to implicit bias, indigenous land rights, and racism. In any given town, there are hidden incidents that traumatize individuals and families: children are bullied, people of color are subjected to racist comments and actions, teens are victims of dating violence, and families struggle with dysfunction and abuse. Less wealthy residents in our community, including veterans, disabled people and seniors, strive to support their families and find affordable housing. Whatever the issue, Dovie will compassionately advocate for Wayland residents, and will work with other members of the Board to find innovative and practical solutions.

As the leader of the Domestic Violence Research and Advocacy Project, Visiting Scholar at Brandeis University, and mother to a young child, I recognize Dovie’s dedication to survivors and their children who have been exposed to psychological or physical abuse. Mistreatment is very common, and trauma and violence get passed down from parents to children. Many members of our community suffer silently from a range of forms of violence, coercion, and control, and the effects ripple outwards to affect others. For example, our community has been directly impacted by dating violence and tragic loss of life. We need a Board member like Dovie with the courage to shine light on difficult issues, with the compassion to listen to and help residents in need, and who has the expertise and experience to be able to bring about positive change. I urge you to vote for Dovie King at the May 10 election and to learn more about her vision at www.electdovie.com.

—Mei-Ling Ellerman, Wayland