MONA HARRINGTON
FEBRUARY 25, 1938 – OCTOBER 19, 2019
The Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus (MWPC) is sad to announce the passing of Mona Harrington, recipient of the 2008 Abigail Adams Award. She was honored by the MWPC for her outstanding achievement in paving the way for women’s professional and political advancement, in Massachusetts and nationwide.
Educated at the University of Massachusetts and Harvard University, Mona excelled in her professional career as an attorney at the State Department and as Chief Information Officer at the US Election Assistance Commission. Her experience undoubtedly made her an excellent teacher, and she had the opportunity to touch many lives, especially those of young women, working as a professor of political science and women’s studies. She was a powerful and prolific writer, authoring several books on women in the workplace while she worked with MIT’s Workplace Center, including Women Lawyers: Rewriting the Rules. While she had a soft voice and the kindest of personalities, her work was mighty and forceful.
Mona will be sorely missed by the MWPC and the countless women who were influenced and inspired by her work. Here is an excerpt from her obituary:
“Born in Lowell and raised in Graniteville, MA, Mona graduated first in her class from UMass Amherst and went on to earn both a law degree and doctorate from Harvard University. As a lawyer, professor, and writer she was an inspiration to colleagues, friends, family, students and readers. In 2008 she was honored by the Mass Women’s Political Caucus as a leader and role model committed to the political, economic and social advancement of women. An avid Red Sox fan and lifelong news junkie, she enjoyed baseball, newspapers, black coffee and visits from family and friends (and dogs) until the end of her life.”