LYNN — Elizabeth Figueroa is an Afro-Latina community member who is the first Latina to run for Ward 2 councilor.
Figueroa has lived in Lynn for 34 years, raising her two sons in the Lynn Public Schools.
A graduate of Marian Court College and Salem State University, Figueroa obtained her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, with a minor in social work and political science.
She owns a home in East Lynn with her husband and her dog, Pablo, and her favorite things about Ward 2 are its diverse population, the food from Tipico’s Restaurant, and the parks.
Figueroa recently worked in senior care and as a case manager for underserved populations and nonprofit organizations, while also serving as an advocate for foster-care youth.
She is involved with family-violence mentoring and advocates for foster-care youth in court.
She is also a member of North Shore nonprofits and faith-based organizations.
Figueroa took part in supporting and signing the petition for “Housing Lynn,” the recently-approved housing production plan and is in support of an unarmed crisis-response team.
Figueroa spoke at her first City Council meeting when she was 9 years old and living in the Dominican Republic.
Her father took her to the meeting, where community members were invited to give suggestions on the design of a new park.
She went to the podium and made suggestions into the microphone about the grass, flowers, lights, puppet shows, swings, activities, and cleaning that she wanted implemented at the park.
“I left that meeting feeling proud and when our new park was complete, that feeling turned into appreciation,” she said. “Somehow, at that age I felt like what I had said impacted others.”
Figueroa said her strong background in social justice, volunteer work and activism in her community has set her up to be more involved and qualified in diversity and inclusivity positions within various community-based organizations.
Her goal, she said, is to make the community stronger and make this a society where everyone can thrive.
“If I am elected as your future councilwoman, I am committed to listening to all of you, not just the people who are outspoken or not being heard,” she said.
When campaigning, some of the concerns Figueroa heard from residents included rats, out-of-state landlords, poor conditions of the parks, and unsafe sidewalk infrastructure.
She also heard issues regarding a lack of entertainment and monthly meetings in the ward, snow removal, a communication gap between residents and local officials, the quality of schools, and a lack of youth activities.
In regards to housing, Figueroa said her focus is to make Lynn affordable, maintain sustainable usage of citizens’ taxes, and support the building infrastructure for a new generation of Lynn residents.
“Safe, affordable, and maintainability are the three keys all people within the Lynn neighborhood should have equal access to,” Figueroa said.
She also hopes to build a sustainable environment for the community and push for City Hall to have an upgraded website.
“We must take action on climate change, including the expansion in green areas, proper installment of bike lanes and continuous care for our sidewalks, removal of unwanted garbage within our neighborhoods, and a push in solar-energy implementation,” she said.
Figueroa also plans to focus on public safety with trauma support, support of local activities alongside the installment of art done by local artists, and support in sport and youth-development programs.
“A safer community means maintaining integral communication between our citizens and the police force,” she said. “Public trust and safety leave room for public safety to favor the community once again, especially amid these dire times.”
If elected, Figueroa said she will work to build a bridge between the community members, local businesses, and public advocates.
“For we are all family, and we must begin treating each other as such,” she said. “We all bleed, struggle and grow with one another, for we are the Lynn community.”
Figueroa faces Ward 2 Councilor Rick Starbard in the Nov. 2 city election.
