Welcome to The Official Site of Massachusetts State Senator Joan M. Menard
Senator Joan M. Menard (D-Fall River) was elected by her colleagues to serve as Assistant Majority Leader of the Massachusetts State Senate on February 12, 2009.
The Senator also serves on the Senate Committee on Ethics and Rules, the Joint Committee on Election Laws, and the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development.
Senator Menard was first elected to the Massachusetts Senate during a special election in December 1999, becoming only the 25th woman to serve in the legislative body's long and storied history. Senate President Robert Travaglini, recognizing Menard's ability as a leader, appointed her Majority Whip of the Senate in 2003. Prior to her Senate post, Menard served the 5th Bristol District for 21 years in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
With 30 years of service as an elected official, Senator Menard has had a long and proud tradition of breaking gender-based barriers and advancing the cause of women in politics.
Menard became the first women to ever hold a leadership position in the 223-year history of the Massachusetts House of Representatives when Speaker Thomas McGee appointed her to the position of Majority Whip in 1984, making her the highest-ranking woman Democratic leader in Massachusetts. Menard continued her leadership role, serving as Assistant Majority Whip and Majority Whip for former House Speaker Charles Flaherty.
Menard continued to break barriers for women in politics in 1993 when she was elected the first woman to serve as Chairperson of the Massachusetts Democratic Committee. In 1996, Menard was reelected as state chair, and in 1998 was elected as ASDC President and appointed as Vice Chairperson of the Democratic National Committee.
Among the issues paramount to Menard in her role as a state senator are childcare, education, disability pension reform, domestic violence, and senior pharmacy assistance programs.
Senator Menard served as President of the Greater Fall River League of Women Voters from 1974 to 1977. A former educator in the Somerset School System, Menard received a Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1967 and a Master of Education degree in 1971 from Bridgewater State College. In 1993, she received a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Education Administration from Boston College. Menard was an elementary school and special education teacher from 1967 - 1974, at which point she was appointed Director of Special Education for the Town of Somerset, a position she held until she was elected to the House of Representatives in 1978 and began her career in politics.
Menard lives in Fall River with her husband Charles. They have two adult children, two grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
Awards, Distinctions, and Recognitions
The following is a listing of the some of the recognitions Senator Menard has received in the past few years:
- 2008 - Honorary Doctorate in Public Service – Westfield State College
- 2008 - Legislator of the Year – AMVETS, Department of Massachusetts
- 2008 - Distinguished Service to Public Education Award – JFY Networks
- 2008 - Government Hero Award – MY TURN INC.
- 2007 - Chair - New England Board of Higher Education
- 2007 - Public Service Award – Patricia Cronin Foundation, To Fight Ovarian Cancer Inc.
- 2007 - Honorary Chair – Alzheimers Association, Southeastern Massachusetts Walk
- 2006 - Legislator of the Year Award –International Trade Assistance Center, Fall River
- 2006 - Legislative Leadership Award – Massachusetts Family Planning Association
- 2005 - University Service Award - UMASS Dartmouth Alumni Association
- 2005 - Legislator of the Year Award - Massachusetts Police Association