Rep. Tram Nguyen, Representative for the 18th Essex District (Massachusetts)

Rep. Tram Nguyen

Rep. Tram Nguyen is running for re-election to serve the 18th Essex District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Throughout her time in office, she has been a fighter for progressive change, and she continues to advocate for her community.

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In 2018, Tram Nguyen became the first Vietnamese American to be sworn into the Massachusetts Legislature after defeating a four-term lawmaker. She is a first-generation Vietnamese-American immigrant and was the first person in her family to graduate from college and law school.

From the start of her legal career until she took office, Tram worked at Greater Boston Legal Services as a legal aid attorney and advocated for domestic violence survivors, workers, seniors, veterans, persons with disabilities, and children. She also engaged in legislative advocacy and worked with statewide coalitions, lawmakers, and lawmaking bodies to push for laws that address issues of racial and economic justice and protect the rights of the most vulnerable populations. Her priorities also include education, healthcare, transportation, and equality, diversity and inclusion.

When Tram was elected, she became the first Vietnamese American woman in elected office in the Commonwealth, the first Vietnamese American elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives, the first Asian American on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators, and the first Asian American woman to serve as House vice chair of a committee. Tram is currently vice chair of the Labor & Workforce Development Committee, and a member of the House Committee on Human Resources and Employee Engagement; the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery; and the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government. She also serves as the Co-Chair of the Special Commission on Structural Racism in the Probation Service.

As an attorney, she received the Lawrence Bar Association Merit Award, the Vietnamese American Bar Association Public Service Award, the Reginald Heber Smith Award for innovation and excellence in legal advocacy, and the UAW Social Justice Award. As a legislator, she's received the Women's Empowerment Award (2019), Asian American Women Political Initiative Legislator of the Year Award (2019), YDMA Young Democratic Elected of the Year Award (2020), Council of State Government 20 under 40 Award (2020), NewDEAL Leader (2021), Gabby Giffords Rising Star Award from EMILY's List (Nominee, 2021), Caring Bear Award from the Caring Force of the Providers' Council (2021), Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance Legislator of the Year Award (2022), and YWCA Northeastern Massachusetts Tribute to Women Award Recipient (2022).