Linda Dorcena Forry

State Representative Linda Dorcena Forry is a native Bostonian who has dedicated her professional life to a career as a public servant.

Rep. Forry was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in a special election in spring 2005, becoming the second Haitian American elected to Massachusetts office. She represents the Commonwealth’s 12th Suffolk district, a diverse and vibrant cross-section that includes parts of the town of Milton and the city of Boston, including Dorchester, Hyde Park and Mattapan. In 2009, Forry served as Chair of the Black and Latino Caucus. That same year, she was appointed Chairman of the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business. Rep. Forry draws upon her roots in civic activism and government as committee chair.

Rep. Forry grew up in Dorchester’s Uphams Corner neighborhood, where her parents, Andre and Annie Dorcena, settled after emigrating to the United States from Haiti in the early 1970s. The Dorcena family – which includes Linda’s siblings and large extended family throughout Greater Boston – has deep roots in the neighborhoods of Boston. Both of Linda’s parents worked long hours to ensure that all of their eight children would have access to an excellent education. They accomplished their mission.

For Linda, Annie and Andre’s hard work and sacrifice gave her the opportunity to attend very good schools. She went to elementary school in Dorchester’s Uphams Corner, attending St. Kevin’s Grammar School. She graduated with honors from Monsignor Ryan Memorial High School, where she was elected President of her class. Linda holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from the Boston College Carroll School of Management and is currently a Masters Degree Candidate in Public Administration at Suffolk University.

From an early age, Linda and her family were deeply involved in parish life at Holy Family Parish (formerly St. Paul’s) in Dorchester and in community service activities in her neighborhood. Linda tutored fellow students as a major part of her educational experience. In 1992, she was one of the founding members of the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative’s Nubian Roots Youth Council. Bringing together youth from all backgrounds to strengthen their voice and influence the planning process, of shaping and revitalizing the Dudley Triangle area in Roxbury.

Rep. Forry was also a leader in the Youth Council of St. Paul’s Church (now Holy Family) and a peer leader for the Monsignor Ryan High School anti-drug program. As a teen, Linda became a peer leader at the Colonel Daniel Marr Boys and Girls Club and later served as a board member of the club’s Education and Career Services Advisory Council. In 2002, the Marr Club honored Linda as the ‘Young Woman of the Decade’ at their annual New England Women Leadership Award banquet.

In 1996, Forry accepted the position of Legislative Assistant, working for then-State Representative Charlotte Golar Richie (Fifth Suffolk District serving Roxbury and Dorchester). Within a year, she was promoted to Legislative Aide. When she left the State House in 1999, she had risen to the position of Acting Chief of Staff.

Prior to her election to the Massachusetts Legislature, Rep. Forry served on the Executive Staff of the Chief of Housing and Director of the Department of Neighborhood Development for the City of Boston since 1999. She was the liaison for the Director to the Agency’s management team. She also managed the response to questions and concerns raised by residents and organizations doing business with the Department of Neighborhood Development.

She has also served on a number of local boards and organizations, including the Ward 13 and Ward 17 Democratic committees, the Lower Mills Civic Association and the boards of Bird Street community center and the Colonel Daniel Marr Boys and Girls Club. She has served as the co-chair of the Haitian Multi-Service Center annual dinner and was honored in 2005 by Haitian-Americans United, Inc.

In 2006, Rep. Forry took on a new role as the co-chair of the Citizens Schools’ Council of Champions Board. She also serves on the Board of Overseers at Beth Israel-Deaconess Medical Center and the Board of Visitors for Federated Dorchester Neighborhood Houses, Inc.

Linda is married to Bill Forry and they are the proud parents of three beautiful children, two sons and a daughter. The Forrys live in the Lower Mills neighborhood of Dorchester.