About

Cory Atkins won the office of State Representative in the fall of 1999 in a special election.  Since that time, she has worked tirelessly on voters’ priorities concerning education, the environment, economic growth, and government reform.  Cory’s top legislative priorities are education, economic development and reforming the legislature on Beacon Hill. Voting the will of her constituents, Rep. Atkins possesses one of the most independent voting records in the House.

Rep. Atkins greatest passion is government reform.  The Old North Bridge, site of the . . . “Shot heard ‘round the world,” is down the street from her house. The House of Representatives has housed the longest continuous-democratic institution in the world.  More Massachusetts’ State Representatives  have gone on to be Presidents of the United States, Vice Presidents, Supreme Court Justices, Speakers of the US House, and Ambassadors around the world than any other state in the nation (with the exception of Virginia).  Cory Atkins takes that political legacy seriously.

When first elected, she founded a reform group for rank-and-file members in hopes of empowering members to have the ability to be stronger advocates for their constituents. She has continuously voted against the leadership and for the will of her constituents.  She voted against the election of Speaker Sal DiMasi twice.  Finally, Cory has been rewarded for her tenacity.  The current Speaker of the House, Robert DeLeo, appointed Cory to be the Vice Chair of the powerful House Rules Committee.  Cory worked closely with the Speaker on many reforms including ethics and pension reform legislation.  The Legislature passed more reform in five months of 2011 than it had in the last twenty -five years.

Despite the economic downturn, Cory continues to fight hard for increasing amounts Chapter 70 aid for education funding, helping to stem the tide of rising property taxes. Her tenure has seen greater allocations to Acton, Carlisle, Chelmsford, and Concord for general foundational aid, special education, METCO, and regional school transportation.

Rep. Atkins feels strongly about staying connected with the people she serves.  She often meets with constituents in the district who want to have the opportunity to discuss an issue privately. In addition, Cory holds monthly meetings with her the local officials in each of the towns in the 14^th Middlesex District to discuss issues such as securing more funds for local aid and for school building assistance, expediting transportation funding for road projects, and exploring ways to eliminate crippling state mandates.  She also hosts a regular cable T.V. show called “Discussing the Issues with Representative Cory Atkins” which has addressed issues ranging from elder protective services and money management programs to environmental issues and the importance of vocational training schools in our innovative economy.

As former Chair of the Science and Technology Committee, Cory believes the issues of economic development, transportation, and the environment need to be addressed together for communities to plan comprehensively for the future.  She has worked hard to secure funding for the Crosby’s Corner and Rotary redesign on Route 2.  She is a strong promoter of both the Assabet and Bruce Freeman Rail trails which will promote the ability for people to ride bikes or walk to work, while also providing the opportunity for recreational activities as well.  Cory has worked with start-up companies that are developing green products and strategies helpful to local businesses.

Cory currently serves as the House Chair of the Caucus of Women Legislators.  Additionally, she is a member of the Joint Committees on Election Laws and Higher Education.  Her commitment goes beyond her legislative duties.  Each year she participates in raising funds for Domestic Violence Services Network (DVSN), a group that serves women from over 90 local communities.  In 2011 Cory donated half of her legislative raise to the group.

Cory’s favorite hands-on volunteer commitment, however, is helping to train service dogs for the disabled and for wounded veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.  She hosted a fundraiser for “Canines for Combat Vets” at her home to help pay for this enterprise.

Before running of office, Cory was a political columnist for the Middlesex News (now Metro West News) and a travel writer for Outbound Traveler.  She taught courses on government at Middlesex Community College.  She also did extensive political work on the international scene.  She led a group of women to a meeting with Michal Gorbachev at the 1985 Arms Summit in Geneva and served as a US delegate to several international meetings convened by Margarita Papendraou, the First Lady of Greece.  She also participated in fact-finding trips to refugee camps in South East Asia.

Born in Dorchester and raised on the South Shore, Cory graduated from Marshfield High School and attended the Burdett Business School.  After she married she attended the University of Massachusetts Boston, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Political Science.

Aside from her professional accomplishments, Cory is most proud of her family. She is the mother of two children who were educated in Concord’s public schools, and she is a recent grandmother.

Cory looks forward to talking about important issues and concerns, and to working collectively towards solutions.  She will continue to be a tireless advocate for her constituents of the 14^th Middlesex District.