Women in Politics • Women’s History Month
“It is not enough to profess faith in the democratic process; we must do something about it.” — Ella Grasso, former Governor of Connecticut
As a child, I remember driving to Connecticut to visit my Aunt Marion and seeing the welcome sign that read “Welcome to Connecticut, Governor Ella Grasso.” I was fascinated that Connecticut had a female governor. I later learned that Ella Grasso was the first woman elected as a U.S. state governor in her own right. Since then, she has remained an inspiration to me. However, keeping all things local, I want to take this opportunity during Women’s History Month to acknowledge some remarkable female politicians who have shaped Provincetown and Cape Cod.
While I do not know who the first female select person was on the outer Cape, I vividly remember Bernice Shears, who served on the Provincetown Board until being recalled in August of 1975. I delivered her newspaper for a few years and always found her to be a kind and thoughtful woman. In that same year, a young and ambitious leader entered the Provincetown political scene: Mary Jo Avellar. In her letter to voters, she wrote, “I believe I represent the feelings and beliefs of a broad spectrum of the people of Provincetown.” She also expressed her deep connection to the town, stating, “I lived and worked in Hawaii and California. I returned to Provincetown almost four years ago because I never found a place I loved as much.” Fifty years later, Mary Jo remains true to these sentiments, having served as a select person and in various other roles. Today, she continues her service as "Madame Moderator."
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, more women became involved in local government. Dolores Desousa transitioned from years of service on the school committee to the select board, bringing with her a no-nonsense approach. And who could forget the campaign for Elizabeth “Betty” Steele-Jeffers, affectionately known for “The Betty Button”? Betty, a heroine of mine, demonstrated her leadership in every role she held—from her time at CCB&T to her steady hand as town moderator. I recall attending a select board meeting where tensions ran high. Betty, chairing the meeting, simply raised her hand and calmly asserted control, much like a mother gently but firmly guiding a child. In that moment, she reminded everyone who was in charge.
Irene Rabinowitz was another tireless advocate, dedicating herself to nonprofit work and later joining the Board of Selectmen, where she rose to chair. Never afraid to voice an unpopular opinion, Irene served without hesitation.
Then there was Jane Antolini, known to many as “Lady Jane.” A retired educator and owner of Lady Jane’s Inn, she was an active listener, eager to understand what made Provincetown residents tick. She recognized the changing times and worked hard to integrate the new with the old, all while preserving the town’s history. She valued every individual she encountered, a trait I deeply admire.
Sarah Peake, another dedicated public servant, joined the Select Board in the early 2000s. A lawyer by trade, she approaches governance with research, dialogue, and logic. After her time on the board, she transitioned to the Massachusetts House of Representatives, where she has served for 17 years, eventually becoming part of the House Speaker’s leadership team. Today, she continues her service in the Healey administration.
Many more women deserve recognition for their contributions to local government: Cheryl Andrews, Michele Couture, Lesley Sandberg, Jan Worthington, Suzanne Grout-Thomas, Jackie Wildes-Beebe, Tracey Ferreira-Rose, Trudi Brazil (my municipal accounting goddess—yes, I said it), Michelle Jarusiewcz, Sheila Lyons and Sharon Lynn, to name just a few. Their dedication has helped shape the outer Cape, and we are fortunate to have had their leadership.
During the 1990s, women dominated local politics. However, in recent years, fewer women have held high-ranking positions in our town government. I hope this is just a temporary lull and not an indicator of a larger trend.
As Ruth Bader Ginsburg famously said, “Women belong in all places where decisions are made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.” Let us continue to encourage and support women in politics, ensuring that the voices shaping our community remain as diverse and representative as the people they serve.
Written by Steven Roderick