Media Kit
Official headshot:
color | B&W
Ayanna speaking with a voter:
color | B&W
Official campaign logo:
logo | banner
Ayanna's bio:
pdf | pdf with headshot
For city council
October 21, 2009
Pressley learned how government works as a staffer for Senator John Kerry and Congressman Joe Kennedy. She has also been active in a variety of nonprofit organizations.
Pressley speaks passionately about making the city work for everyone. Her commitment is convincing. Her experience, buoyancy, and energy suggest she will be a results-oriented public servant who will use her skills and connections to get things done.
Pressley would also be the first African-American woman ever to serve on the Council — and the first African-American elected to citywide office in Boston in 16 years. Most important, she has the right priorities and basket of skills.
Out front: Ayanna Pressley ready to make history
October 21, 2009
It took a few minutes of conversation to convert Rahshawn Beaman to a supporter of Ayanna Pressley. “You’ve got my vote Nov. 3,” he told her as he walked away from the turnstile at Ruggles Station. “She has a passion for what she wants to do,” Beaman told the Banner as he exited the station. “She has a passion for change.” Since she entered the race for an at-large seat on the City Council in April, Pressley has become a front-runner in the race, placing 4th out of a field of 15 in the preliminary.
For City Council
October 21, 2009
The decision of Michael Flaherty and Sam Yoon to run for Mayor of Boston opened two of the four at-large seats on the Boston City Council. Four of the eight candidates to survive the Sept. 22 preliminary election are minorities. Felix Arroyo finished third and Ayanna Pressley came in fourth. Tito Jackson finished sixth but he is by no means out of the running. Tomas Gonzalez is unlikely to move up from a distant 8th place.
Pressley was on the Congressional staff of Joseph P. Kennedy, 2nd and she was an aide to Sen. John Kerry from 1996 until she resigned last spring. She will certainly bring some Washington D.C. skills to City Hall.
A race worthy of attention
October 6, 2009
The day starts early for City Council candidates, as they battle to win attention, let alone votes.
So Ayanna Pressley had already shaken hands at the Forest Hills MBTA Station for two hours when we met yesterday morning.
She is one of the eight remaining contestants for four at-large seats on the council. Two incumbents, John Connolly and Stephen Murphy, seem virtually assured of reelection, leaving two open seats to be fought over among six contenders.
For Boston council, an abundance of talent
September 19, 2009
Ayanna Pressley (?Like Elvis!?? she exclaims) has an eager personality and a varied political resume. A native of Chicago, Pressley came to Boston for college and quickly got swept up in politics. She handled constituent services for former Representative Joseph P. Kennedy II and was political director for Senator John Kerry. Bridging the distance between streetcorner activism and the back rooms of power is her special aim for the council.
A real at-large race
September 16, 2009
Ayanna Pressley of Dorchester, the only woman in the field, serves as political director for Sen. John Kerry and previously handled constituent services for then-Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy. She has up-close-and-personal experience with the concerns of city residents, particularly those who struggle to get by.
The New Boston Is Running, But Is It Voting?
August 26, 2009
?I?m running for the Boston City Council at large because I think it?s important that government reflect the constituency that it represent,? Pressley says. ?We need inter-generational, gender, ethnic and cultural diversity and inclusion on every level of our government.?
Pressley lights up rooms and backyards with a high-beam personal narrative. The girl from a tough neighborhood whose mother struggled to send her to private school, while her father was in and out of prison for addiction. She came to Boston University, excelled, went to work for Congressman Kennedy and then for Sen. Kerry.
And auspiciously, her story starts in Chicago. ?You know there?s something in the water,? Pressley says, laughing. ?There?s something in the water. You know, drink the Hope Kool-Aid, I don?t know what to say.?
Irrepressibly upbeat, Pressley says this is the New Boston she knows: an encounter in Jamaica Plain where: ?one of my supporters, Chinese American, was talking to a Latino voter about my candidacy. So it was a Chinese supporter, speaking Spanish to a Latino voter about a black woman running for the Boston city council.?
At-Large City Council candidate Ayanna Pressley
August 26, 2009
The daughter of a single mother, Ayanna Pressley grew up in a rough neighborhood of Chicago before coming to study at Boston University. When her mother lost her job, Pressley left college to work full-time to help support her. She began her political career 14 years ago working for Congressman Joe Kennedy as a constituent services aide, and later served as Senator John Kerry?s political director. She has also been a member of or still serves on the Massachusetts Women?s Political Caucus, the Young Professionals Preventing Child Abuse, the NAACP, and the Children?s Trust Fund, and mentors for the Young Black Women?s Society and the Big Sister Association of Greater Boston. She currently lives in Dorchester.
Ayanna Pressley at the Commonwealth Seminar?s 17th Graduation
August 17, 2009
Young, black, and in the running
By Kenneth J. Cooper | July 19, 2009
Two blocks from Boston City Hall, the high-powered women gathered in a conference room for the monthly meeting of the Massachusetts Women?s Political Caucus, which backs female candidates for political office. A new year was just beginning, the odd-numbered 2009, so there would be less political action with no regular state elections scheduled. The discussion turned to municipal races.
Board members noted that state Representative Ruth Balser was considering a run for mayor of Newton. Joyce Ferriabough Bolling, a board member who is a Boston political consultant, said she hoped a woman would run for one of the at-large seats on the Boston City Council being vacated by Michael Flaherty and Sam Yoon, both leaving to challenge Mayor Tom Menino.
LOCAL UNIONS ENDORSE AYANNA PRESSLEY
Labor Signals Approval of First Time Candidate for Boston City Council At-Large
July 15, 2009
Boston, MA - Two influential labor unions in Boston announced their support for Ayanna Pressley in her bid for an At-Large seat on the Boston City Council. The SEIU United Healthcare Workers East (SEIU 1199), and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW Local 2222), have endorsed Ayanna Pressley.
"The nurses and caregivers of 1199 SEIU are proud to endorse Ayanna Pressley. As healthcare workers, we feel Ayanna represents a healthy choice for Boston," states Executive Vice President Mike Fadel. "On the local, state, and federal level, she has been relentless in her support for accessible and affordable healthcare for our community. She has also made clear she supports healthcare workers having a voice on the job for quality care."
"Ayanna Pressley will be a strong advocate for the workers who drive our economy, but struggle to make ends meet for their families," said Myles Calvey, Business Manager and Financial Secretary for IBEW Local 2222. "She understands that improving wage and benefit standards is a top priority for workers and the key to jump-starting Boston's economy. Her proven commitment to working families in Boston, along with her years of experience at the city, state and federal level, will make her a strong voice in Boston "
"I am proud to have the support of the men and women who keep Boston running," said Pressley. "As a member of the Boston City Council, I will work to ensure that the rights of workers are protected during this difficult economic time."
Earlier this week, Congresswoman Niki Tsongas endorsed Pressley, saying "Ayanna has a history of service to Greater Boston and the state of Massachusetts and would add an effective and experienced voice to the city council."
Pressley is running for one of four at-large seats on the Boston City Council. Candidates will first participate in the September 22 preliminary election before facing off in the November 3 general election. A full list of dates and voting locations is available through the Boston Election Department. For more information about Pressley?s campaign, please visit www.ayannapressley.com.
CONGRESSWOMAN TSONGAS ENDORSES AYANNA PRESSLEY
Candidate for Boston City Council At-Large Receives Major Boost
July 14, 2009
Boston, MA ? Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, the only woman in the Massachusetts Congressional delegation, announced her support of Ayanna Pressley's candidacy for an At-Large seat on Boston's City Council today. If elected, Pressley will become the first woman of color ever to serve on the Boston City Council and only the third woman to serve on the council in an at large position.
"Ayanna has a history of service to Greater Boston and the state of Massachusetts and would add an effective and experienced voice to the city council," said Tsongas. "She understands and is dedicated to the issues that are important to women and families, the city, and those most in need and I am convinced she will have a valuable impact as a city councilor. We need the perspective and commitment of talented women like Ayanna in public service, and I am pleased to support her candidacy."
This is the second major endorsement that Pressley has won in the last few weeks when Suffolk County Sheriff Andrea Cabral also announced her support.
For her work on behalf of New England's women, the Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus honored Ayanna Pressley with its Wonder Woman Award in 2005, and Unity First Magazine recognized her as a Visionary Woman of Excellence in 2008.
Pressley is a homeowner in Dorchester and a widely respected activist in her community. She is a former aide to Congressman Joseph Kennedy and Senator John Kerry, and she is currently serving on the boards of six community organizations with a particular focus on promoting civic engagement, diversity in politics, and youth empowerment and mentoring programs. She is the only woman who will appear on the ballot in the race for city council at large.
Pressley is running for one of four at-large seats on the Boston City Council. Candidates will first participate in the September 22 preliminary election before facing off in the November 3 general election. A full list of dates and voting locations is available through the Boston Election Department. For more information about Pressley?s campaign, please visit www.ayannapressley.com.
At-Large City Council forum showcases diverse crowd of candidates
By Brandom Simes | June 24, 2009
Connolly, in the midst of his first term as an at-large councilor, impressed with his calm demeanor, and Pressley, a former aide to U.S. Sen. John Kerry, showed uncommon poise for a first-time candidate, drawing praise from many in the room, including 3rd Suffolk state Representative-elect Aaron Michlewitz, who stopped by at the end of the night. Michlewitz said Pressley?s public speaking skills amazed him considering she has not previously run for office? She spoke of bringing her "three As" to the table: accountability, accessibility, and advocacy.The race for Boston City Council has gotten off to an exciting start
Ward 5 Endorses Connolly, Pressley
By Gintautus Dumcius | June 23, 2009
Thirteen out of the fifteen candidates running for the four City Council At-Large spots faced off in a forum in the Back Bay on Tuesday night, staking out their positions on the city budget, the Boston Redevelopment Authority and busing.
The Ward 5 Democratic Committee, which co-hosted the forum with the Ward 4 Democratic Committee, afterwards immediately voted to endorse two of the candidates: John Connolly, currently serving his first term as a Councillor At-Large, and Ayanna Pressley, a former aide to U.S. Sen. John Kerry.
2009 ELECTIONS: Aide to Senator Kerry Running for Boston City Council
By Brandy Bailey | June 15, 2009
The race for Boston City Council has gotten off to an exciting start. One of the most interesting candidates is Ayanna Presley the current political director for Senator John Kerry. Pressley recently announced that she is running for one of four at-large council seats. If elected Pressley will be the first African American woman to hold any seat on the council.
Pressley picks up Cabral endorsement
By adamg | June 11, 2009
Suffolk County Sheriff Andrea Cabral today endorsed at-large City Council hopeful Ayanna Pressley:
The perspective she will bring to the Council as a woman of color is tremendously important, and one that the Boston City Council, in its l00 year history, has never had. Ayanna has great political and constituent service experience and knows this landscape well. I especially like that she wants to bring greater accessibility, greater accountability and strong advocacy to the Council. She knows the Council is strongest when it is collaborative and working together to identify and serve the needs of Boston residents. Ayanna is a well-respected, smart, dynamic woman whose contributions as City Councilor will bode well for the future of the City of Boston.
At-large hopefuls meet masses at Dot parade
By Yawu Miller | June 11, 2009
Boston - In the two-or-so miles it took to make it to Adams Street, Ayanna Pressley managed to keep her enthusiasm intact, despite the intensity of the sun and undeniable discomfort of walking in heels.
"This reminds me why I love this city," she said.
Special and municipal elections take the stage in Boston
By Jonathan Braedley Welch | May 19, 2009
Boston - Across town, there are different races just getting started. Monday night, Ayanna Pressley and her campaign will kick off the start of a fight for one of just a handful of Boston City Council at-large seats. Including district-assigned seats and incumbents running to claim them, there are close to 40 candidates running to get a place on the Boston City Council this year.
At-Large City Council candidate Ayanna Pressley starting strong
by Brandon Simes | May 5, 2009
Boston - Ayanna Pressley, Sen. John Kerry?s political director, announced on May 4 that she has raised just over $12,000 in her first official week of campaigning for one of the four at-large city council seats up for election this fall. Pressley?s campaign has also recruited over 100 volunteers thus far, according to a news release from her campaign.
PRESSLEY RAISES MORE THAN $12,000 IN FIRST WEEK IN RACE - HUNDREDS SIGN UP TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT
May 4, 2009
Boston- The campaign of Boston City Council At-Large candidate Ayanna Pressley today announced that she has received more than $12,000 in donations and recruited over 100 volunteers in the one week since she officially announced her candidacy.
"I am so energized and humbled by the support our campaign has received in just the first week," Pressley said. "These are really tough economic times for families throughout our city, so I am incredibly grateful for the faith that people have in our campaign. I'm really looking forward to continuing to meet Boston voters and keeping this momentum going."
Stuart Rosenberg, Pressley Campaign Manager said "For a first time candidate to raise this much money in just her first week in the race and to also find so much support at the grassroots level says a lot about Ayanna's ability to connect with the voters and their confidence that she will bring a fresh perspective to the Boston City Council. Whether in the neighborhoods, at events, on Facebook or on www.ayannapressley.com, Ayanna is winning over people with her positive message and enthusiasm."
The campaign received $12,040 through checks received and deposited as well as contributions made via the website,www.ayannapressley.com, through Paypal.
In addition, the Pressley Campaign also recruited more than 500 volunteers and supporters through www.AYANNAPRESSLEY.COM and Facebook in its first week.
Q&A #1 -- At-Large Council Prediction?
By David S Bernstein | April 28, 2009
Now that it looks like everybody who's gonna run for [Boston City Council] at large has officially declared, who do you think the 4 winners are and in what order. Also as a bonus question will you endorse 4 now or at a later point?
Potential candidates are lining up for City Council elections
By John C. Drake, Globe Staff | April 25, 2009
One of the possible candidates who has generated considerable buzz by declaring her interest in an at-large seat is Ayanna S. Pressley, a Boston-based political aide to US Senator John F. Kerry. Pressley, who has broad connections in the city, would become the first black woman on the council if she is elected. She said she is resigning her post in Kerry's office, effective next month, as she launches her campaign.
Dot's Pressley joins race for at-large council
By Pete Stidman, News Editor | Apr. 23, 2009
If elected - and she is widely considered a favorite in the field due to her background and experience - she would be the first black woman to hold any seat on the council. "Ayanna absolutely is top tier," said Joyce Ferriabough-Bolling, a Roxbury political consultant and Pressley supporter. "What she brings to the race is extraordinary."
Ayanna Pressley Jumps Into At-Large Race
By David S Bernstein | April 23, 2009
It's official: Ayanna Pressley, state political director for US Senator John Kerry, is filing her application this morning to run for Boston City Council, and opening a campaign account.
