The Massachusetts Silver Legislature has a long history and has played an important role in state and local politics since the early 1980s, when the concept was imported from Florida to Massachusetts. The first Silver Haired Legislature (SHL) was, however, created in Texas in the 1970s and spread to 26 more states soon after. In 2004, Al Norman, then Executive Director of Mass Home Care, wrote a fine piece on “The Birth of the Silver Haired Legislature” for the Melrose Mirror (February 6, 2004).
In 2004, Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healy accepted a citation on behalf of Governor Romney from the Silver Haired legislature, in recognition of their support for the Silver Haired Legislature and their efforts to preserve a quality of life for seniors and the disabled. Pictured below are Senator Richard Tisei, SHL Speaker Pro Tem Antoinette LoConte, SHL Speaker of the House Anne MacGillivray, SHL Senate President Sally Hoyt, Lt. Governor Kerry Healy and SHL President Sabema Stenberg. Over the years, MA Silver Legislature members have worked with politicians on a local, state and national level and continue to reach out to those at the highest levels of power.
Plucked from the pages of history, this is the old version of the Silver Haired Legislature brochure, including the old One Ashburton Place address…