MassEquality's Suffredini named New Leaders Council "40 Under 40" Leader

Young ED's history of advocacy celebrated; Suffredini promises org's fight for LGBT rights is not finished.

Kara Suffredini, Executive Director of LGBT advocacy organization MassEquality, was last week named a "40 Under 40 Leader" by the New Leaders Council.

The New Leaders Council (NLC) works to train and support the next generation of progressive political entrepreneurs, and the national "40 Under 40" awards celebrate success in entrepreneurship, advocacy, media and politics among leaders who are under the age of 40.

"I am humbled by this honor," Suffredini, 35, said in a press statement. "Since arriving at MassEquality last September, I have been asked numerous times what work there is left to do in Massachusetts. Let me assure you that there is plenty: passing the Transgender Equal Rights Bill; ending anti-LGBT bullying in our schools; ending the mistreatment of LGBT elders in nursing homes and home care; and improving our basic quality of life -- a 2009 Department of Public Health study found that just the fact of being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender in Massachusetts causes higher stress and poorer health outcomes."

"I am so proud to be at MassEquality where I am privileged to work with an extremely talented staff and board of directors," Suffredini said. "But I am also proud to be working with one of the most vibrant LGBT communities in the nation."

More than 400 qualified nominees were considered for the awards this year by judges John Podesta, Cheryl Contee, Sam Bennett, Murray Galinson and Mark Walsh.

"We are extremely proud of Kara, not just for this award, but for what she's been able to accomplish since taking the helm of MassEquality last September," said Sara Whitman, Chair of the MassEquality Board of Directors. "Under her leadership, MassEquality helped elect a supermajority of pro-LGBT lawmakers to the State House in the 2010 election cycle, win Senator Scott Brown's game-changing vote in favor of the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' secure an Executive Order from Gov. Deval Patrick prohibiting discrimination against transgender state workers, and support the confirmation of the first openly gay judge to the Commonwealth's highest court."

Winners of last year's "40 Under 40" honors included Stephanie Schriock, President of Emily's List, and Michael Brune, Executive Director of the Sierra Club. The NLC Institute, the nation's premiere political entrepreneurship training program, offers recruiting and training for emerging progressive leaders, and equips them with the skills and information needed to become better civic leaders.

"New Leaders Council is building the intellectual infrastructure of national progressive leadership," said Sue Hyde, chair of the MassEquality Education Fund Board of Directors. "We are delighted that New Leaders Council has recognized Kara and, by extension, MassEquality with this award. It takes courage to show real leadership and it's an honor to have it recognized this way."

Prior to joining MassEquality last September, Suffredini was the Director of Public Policy and Community Engagement for the Family Equality Council (FEC), and was named one of the "Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40" by the National LGBT Bar Association. She lives in Somerville with her partner.