Dorothy Kelly Gay | |
|---|---|
| 34thMayor of Somerville | |
| In office May 21, 1999 – January 5, 2004 | |
| Preceded by | William M. Roche (Acting) |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Curtatone |
| Member of theMassachusetts Governor's Council for the 6th District | |
| In office 1993–1999 | |
| Preceded by | Daniel G. Hurley |
| Succeeded by | Michael J. Callahan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1943-04-23)April 23, 1943 (age 82) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Bertram Gay |
| Alma mater | Mayday Hospital School of Nursing |
| Profession | Registered Nurse Administrative Coordinator of Nursing[1] |
Dorothy "Dot" A. Kelly Gay is an Irish-born American politician who served as34th mayor ofSomerville, Massachusetts, and on theMassachusetts Governor's Council.
Gay was born on April 26, 1943, inBallinasloe,County Galway,Ireland.[1] Her father was a politician, nurse and union activist.[2] She graduated from Newtown National School, Convent of Mercy Secondary School, and Ballinasloe Technical School.[1] In 1961 she moved toEngland to pursue a career in nursing.[2] She graduated from theMayday Hospital School of Nursing inSurrey in 1964.[1] In the early 1960s she met Bertram Gay inLondon.[3] The couple later married and in 1968 they immigrated to the United States because their child needed a surgery that was only available atBoston Children's Hospital. They settled in Somerville and the couple soon found employment, with Gay getting hired at Somerville's Heritage Hospital. She continued to work as a nurse until 1999.[2]
In 1986, Kelly Gay was appointed to the Somerville School Committee. She was elected to a full term ten months later. In 1992 Gay was elected to the Massachusetts Governor's Council in the 6th District.[2] In1998 she ran forLieutenant Governor of Massachusetts. Gay lost in the Democratic primary to State SenatorWarren Tolman 270,791 (54%) votes to 232,250 (46%).[4]
In 1999, Gay was elected Mayor of Somerville in a special election to succeedMichael Capuano, who was elected to theUnited States House of Representatives. She defeated alderman John Buonomo 6878 votes to 6473.[5] She ran for a full term later that year and was elected unopposed.[2] In 2003, Gay finished third in the preliminary election behind AldermanJoseph Curtatone and businessman Tony Lafuente. Gay's loss was blamed on increasing gang violence, declining economic growth, and cuts in state aid that forced her to cut public services and fire 200 municipal workers.[6]