October 14, 4pm. Details soon.

(Grace will be there.)

Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce: Meet the candidates.

New England Business Expo, 3:30-5pm, October 12, RSVP Michael Lanaca at 508-753-2924×222.

My friends, Pat Humphries and Sandy O. who are truly powerful and wonderful performers are coming to Worcester, this Thursday, October 11, for an 8pm concert at the Hotel Vernon.

They are political, folks singers (with some Jazz, blues and blue grass elements). Their song “Peace, Shalom, Saalam” led the New York protest after the 9/11 bombing the theme of which was “our grief is not an excuse for war”, while President Bush started bombing Afghanistan. It was sung by tens of thousands i the streets of New York.

another song, “Never Turning Back” was used to open the Beiging Women’s Conference by women from across the world in multiple languages.

And the list continues - Anyway, it will be fabulous, money for the campaign is really critical right now and please invite ALL your friends.

Download the flyer

(Grace will be there.)

PIP Shelter, 701 Main Street, 4th floor

I want to start by saying that honest political debate is a building block of democracy; however, this requires respect. This campaign continues to be committed to working together with all the people of Worcester to create the changes that will make the best possible Worcester for all of us – our future lies in integrity, vision and being committed to constructive dialogue and problem-solving.

I apologize to those who have felt disrespected and have been honored to sit with some of those who spoke out. It is clear that neither they nor I have been accurately quoted in the media. The piece that has been quoted that was published as my statement was actually not an accurate nor finished public statement – it was published originally without my permission and was from an email dialogue which was removed from the piece. Likewise, those who were called as Jewish leaders for comment, not one said I was anti-Semitic and have been very clear with me that they had clarified that to the T&G.
Read more »

The Massachusetts Sierra Club has endorsed Grace Ross in the race for Worcester City Council.

“Grace Ross has a demonstrated a high level of knowledge and commitment to environmental issues,” said Phil Sego, the Massachusetts Sierra Club’s Political Chair. “Throughout her life she has taken strong environmental positions that make her a clear choice for environmentally-minded voters.”

“I’m honored to have earned this endorsement,” said Ross. “I look forward to working with the Sierra Club and local residents as I focus on environmental issues, improving our air and water quality, reducing our reliance on oil through conservation and other measures, and other issues that affect the quality of life and health of residents in the city.”

The Sierra Club, while noted for their high-profile national positions, is deeply rooted in local, regional, and statewide issues. Their endorsement process includes in-depth research and careful analysis of a questionnaire designed specifically to address local environmental issues. The Club’s endorsement is then communicated to its members, which currently number greater than 27,000 statewide.

The Sierra Club is the nation’s oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization dedicated to the preservation, protection, and exploration of the earth’s natural environment. For a complete listing of Sierra Club political endorsements, please visit www.sierraclubmass.org and click the “politics & issues” link on the left.

by Grace Ross

Worcester is a city rich in so many ways! Worcester was home to the case that prompted Massachusetts to outlaw slavery before any other state. Worcester hosted the first women’s rights convention. Our forebears refused to enforce immoral fugitive slave laws.

As an immigrant City, we have layers and layers of wonderful cultures and peoples. Worcester’s days are filled with numerous activities, festivals and opportunities for exploration (if only we all knew about them before hand instead of reading about them in the paper the day after). And we are honored by the ongoing presence of the First peoples as well.
Read more »

Dear friends,

In June, a letter to Worcester Magazine labeled me anti-Semitic; I was profoundly disturbed by this serious allegation. Please forgive the time taken to find the right response. (I address elsewhere the confusion about my foreign policy positions).

I am deeply committed to backing the Jewish community against discrimination or exclusion in Worcester to the best of my ability, like all the communities of our wonderfully culturally and spiritually rich City.

Not being raised Jewish, my grasp of anti-Semitism is inherently somewhat limited. I was however raised in New York amid a strong Jewish community. My family took explicit actions against anti-Semitic discrimination and instilled great respect for Jewish traditions.

Jewish values around justice, righteousness and atonement heavily influenced me. I still learn and am nourished by Passover and Yom Kippur observances and increase my understanding of Jewish life.

Whether supporting my co-workers’ right to various religious holidays, joining celebrations or publicly denouncing anti-Semitic graffiti and other outrages, I always strive to serve and lead. Well-being and respect for those of us who are Jewish remains central to me as does the well-being of every person: no one is expendable on my watch.

L’Shana Tova,

Grace C Ross, City Council Candidate

The Central Massachusetts AFL-CIO endorsed Grace Ross for City Councilor at-large Thursday night, September 20th at their endorsement meeting.

Ross spoke of years of union support work as an over ten year member of the Massachusetts Jobs with Justice Executive Committee and growing up to stories from her father from the musician’s union and McCarthy-ism.

“It was a slam dunk,” according to one of the union members as Grace Ross left the front of the room. Grace Ross also received the endorsement of the Turnpike and Tunnel Workers Union, Teamster Local 127 whom she had spoken out for during the gubernatorial race.

“I know that the vote and organizing help from the workers of this City made a difference September 11. I continue to speak strongly for the need for respecting wages and OSHA protections and the increase in wages that unions bring to the whole work force in our City,” explained Grace Ross, “And of course, support is coming from all directions, we have word that an endorsement from one of the really big environmental groups is on its way!”