MTA mourns loss of Carol Doherty
MTA mourns loss of Carol Doherty
MTA President Max Page and Vice President Deb McCarthy issued the following statement on the passing of state Rep. Carol Doherty:
Carol was 'a lifelong champion for public education'
Our thoughts are with state Rep. Carol Doherty’s family, friends and colleagues. A lifelong champion for public education, Carol began her career as an elementary school teacher and guidance counselor.
In 1980, MTA members elected Carol as president, where she served two terms and led the union until 1984. Previously, she was the president of the Taunton Education Association.
A dedicated unionist, she fought tirelessly for working families, ensuring that preK-16 educators had a voice in shaping Massachusetts’ public education system.
Carol led the MTA at a time when public education faced a conservative push to limit public spending.
In 1984, addressing MTA educators at a special delegate assembly at Burlington High School, Carol urged them to use their voices.
“You’re good at what you do,” she said. “Let’s tell the story of public education in a way that only you can tell it. Then let’s change public education in a way that only your commitment, dedication and understanding can change it."
"Let’s tell the story of public education in a way that only you can tell it. Then let’s change public education in a way that only your commitment, dedication and understanding can change it."
then-MTA President Carol Doherty in a 1984 speech
Her leadership paid off. Just a year later, in 1985, MTA members’ advocacy helped secure the passage of Chapter 188, a law that expanded funding for equal opportunity grants and early childhood learning incentives.
Carol carried that call to action into her roles as a Taunton School Committee member and state representative, continuing to amplify the voices of public school educators and advocate for the schools and communities she served.
Even in her final weeks, Carol was fighting for public sector workers, leading efforts to ensure a dignified retirement by advocating for greater transparency in 403(b) retirement plans.
Beyond her leadership, Carol was deeply compassionate and unfailingly generous. She had a way of making everyone she spoke with feel seen and valued.
We are deeply grateful that Carol brought her perspective as an educator to the decision-making bodies overseeing public education. Her legacy lives on in the 117,000 members of the MTA and the countless Massachusetts students who benefited from her unwavering advocacy.