Linda Melconian

Linda Melconian
File:Linda Melconian.jpg
Senate Majority Leader of the Massachusetts State Senate Senator of Hampden District
In office 1983–2005
Personal details
Born	Linda Jean Melconian Springfield, Massachusetts
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Andrew J. Scibelli
Alma mater	Mount Holyoke College, BA George Washington University, MA George Mason University, JD
Occupation	Attorney, Educator, Public Servant

Linda J. Melconian is a former American state legislator who served as Majority Leader of the Massachusetts Senate. A member of the Democratic Party, she represented the greater Springfield area as its State Senator from 1983-2005.

Early life and education

Melconian, the only child of George and Virginia Melconian, grew up in the Forest Park section of Springfield, Massachusetts. Linda graduated with highest honors from Springfield’s Classical High School and was a competitive swimmer in the backstroke events. A graduate of Mount Holyoke College, cum laude, Linda also earned a Master’s Degree from the School of Public and International Affairs at George Washington University, and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from George Mason University. In 2012, Mount Holyoke College honored Linda Melconian as one of its 175 alumnae “Women of Influence”. The honor commemorated the 175th anniversary of the College’s founding, an act that launched a revolution in women’s education and a tribute to the thousands of alumnae who have used their Mount Holyoke educations to create, contribute, inspire, and lead.

Entry into politics

Melconian, a history major at Mount Holyoke, experienced her introduction to public service as an intern with Congressman Edward P. Boland (D-MA) through the D.C. internship program created by the late MHC politics professor, Victoria Schuck. In 1971, Linda began her public service career as legislative assistant to U. S. House of Representatives’ Majority Thomas P. Tip O’Neill (D-MA). After “Tip” O’Neill was elected House Majority Leader and Speaker, Linda became the first woman staff professional to merit standing U. S. House Floor privileges in all three majority leadership offices. She held staff positions including chief legislative assistant, speech writer, House Floor scheduling and Member assistant, advisor on domestic and foreign policy and select/special committee assignments, and Assistant Counsel to the Speaker.

In 1974, Melconian assisted then Majority Leader Tip O’Neill in his efforts to assure the integrity of the U.S. House of Representatives during the constitutional crisis of the historic Richard Nixon impeachment hearings. Melconian had a role in assisting in the passage of House Resolution 148 which created April 24th as a national day of commemorating the Armenian Genocide as “Man’s Inhumanity to Man”. Melconian also helped to co-ordinate Speaker O’Neill’s trip to Ireland in 1979 as part of his life-long efforts to bring peace to Northern Ireland.

Massachusetts State Senate

For more than two decades, Melconian rose through the Democratic Party ranks to become Assistant Majority Leader and then Majority Floor Leader of the Massachusetts Senate where she often held the position of Acting Senate President. Appointed by the Senate President Thomas Birmingham (D-MA) and confirmed by the Senate Democratic Caucus as the first woman Majority Leader in the history of the Massachusetts Senate, Linda managed to help shape the legislative agenda and led the Senate in all its deliberations and decision making on public policy issues. In announcing the Senate Majority Leader appointment, Senate President Birmingham stated: “Senator Melconian, in her various prior legislative roles, has earned a reputation for being well versed in a wide range of policy areas which will be an asset to the whole senate. She has always interacted well with experienced legislators as well as incoming ones and that is an inclusivity that will help her develop consensus and support for our legislative initiatives.”

In the State Senate Melconian also served as Senate Chairwoman of Insurance Committee where she was responsible for developing all major property/casualty, health and life insurance legislation in the Commonwealth and created a legislative Science and Technology Committee. Linda held positions on the Senate Ways and Means (assistant vice chairwoman), Joint Committees on Judiciary,vice chairwoman) Commerce and Labor, and Elderly and Human Service.

Awards

Suffolk University’s Chapter of Pi Alpha Alpha, the National Honor Society for Public Affairs and Public Administration, 2012

Who’s Who of American Women, Marquis Who’s Who 2005 - 2012

Sisters of Providence “Health Care Access” Award, 2005

Women’s Partnership, Springfield Chamber of Commerce “Women of the Year” Award, 2003

New Leadership Charter School, Distinguished Service Award, 2002

Massachusetts Building Trades Council, AFL-CIO, 2001 “Legislator of the Year”

Jewish Community Relations Council, “Legislator of the Year”, 2001

Professional Board & Civic Organizations (Past & Present)

Massachusetts Bar Association

Springfield College, Incorporator

NAACP, Lifetime Member

Democratic State Committee Member , Former Member

2000 Co-Chair Democratic State Committee “Action Agenda

Hampden County Bar Association

Springfield Library & Museums Association Massachusetts Senior Games

Council of State Government Executive Committee, Former Member

Massachusetts Women’s Legislative Caucus, Past Co-Chairwoman

Local Influence

Creation of Massachusetts Veterans Cemetery, Agawm, Ma

Authorized 90% State Reimbursement for Springfield School Building Assistance program

Created Pioneer Valley Life Science Institute

Provided increased Access to Healthcare at Mercy Hospital

Created Massachusetts’ first Business Improvement District in Springfield, M.G.L. Chapter 400.

Publications

• “Evolving Corporate Governance Standard for Healthcare Nonprofits: Is Director Compensation a Breach of Fiduciary Duty?” Brooklyn Journal of Corporate, Financial Commercial Law, 2013

  “Health-care Nonprofits: Enhancing Governance and Public Trust,” Journal of Business and Society Review, Summer 2012

  “Gender Pay Equality: Effectiveness of Federal Statutes and Recent Supreme Court Decisions,” Public Policy Forum Journal, Fall 2010

  Lead and Win in a Male Dominated Area…Like politics,78 Keys and Strategies Self-published Booklet, 2005

  David E. Wright, Publisher, Applied Leadership, Chapter Five: “Putting Theory into Practice,” Sevierville, Tennessee: Insight Publications, 2006

• Op-Ed, Boston Globe, “Enduring History of America”

  Op-Ed, Boston Globe, “A Slam Dunk for Bay State”

  Op-Ed, Boston Globe, “One Small Step to Help Women Flee Violence

Current Life

Melconian sponsored an annual golf tournament that raised more than $300,000 for battered women's shelters in her district and is a fierce advocate for women's issues. Her advocacy work continues in the field of children's and seniors' issues, criminal justice and health care. Always conscious of her Armenian heritage, she attended the Third International Armenian Women's Association's conference in Yerevan 2002 where she presented a paper on "Women and Politics in America" Melconian has worked with the Armenian Assembly to help establish political internships in Washington D.C, for students of Armenian descent. She was honored by the Armenian-American community for her role in creating April 24th as a national commemoration of the Armenian genocide.

Linda now serves as a faculty member in the Institute for Public Service and Business Law/Ethics Departments at Suffolk University’s Business School. As Senior Fellow in the Moakley Center for Public Management , she works with business and government leaders in collaborative efforts to provide unique program opportunities connecting business students with government. Through the Moakley Center, she developed a Moakley Fellows Internship Program and a Moakley Breakfast Series of forums on current public policy issues at the federal, state and local levels.

Linda presents locally, nationally, and internationally at forums, conferences, panels and summits on applied leadership and gender leadership in the political arena. She has contributed to The Weissman Center for Leadership and the Liberal Arts at Mount Holyoke College, enhancing its program offerings on leadership for women. Additionally, she served as an advisor and consultant to American International College where she provided guidance and direction to enrich its MPA program and developed its MSNPM program.

External links

• Gender Pay Equality: The Effectiveness of Federal Statutes and Recent U.S.Supreme Court Decisions
• Lead and Win in a Male Dominated Area…Like politics, 78 Keys and Strategies Self-published Booklet
• Putting Theory Into Practice

Massachusetts Senate Politics