MEET LYDIA
Inspired to Serve
Early Life and Education (1981–2006)
Lydia Edwards was raised with a strong sense of purpose, service, and justice—values instilled in her by her mother, a proud veteran of the United States Air Force and a longtime union worker. Lydia and her twin sister grew up in a military household that moved often, exposing them to different cultures, communities, and perspectives from a young age. That global upbringing shaped Lydia’s deep empathy, adaptability, and belief that everyone—no matter their background—deserves dignity and opportunity.
A driven student and natural leader, Lydia graduated summa cum laude from Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York, earning a Bachelor of Arts in political science and legal policy studies.
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She went on to attend the American University Washington College of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor. While there, she served as the founding editor-in-chief of The Modern American, a law journal dedicated to diversity and social justice. She was also a Marshall-Brennan Fellow, bringing civics and constitutional law education to underserved high school students, and competed as part of the Moot Court Honor Society.
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Committed to using the law as a tool for equity, Lydia later earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation from Boston University School of Law, expanding her expertise in policy and fiscal justice.
A Strong Legal Foundation
Judicial Clerkships & Litigation Experience (2006–2011)
Lydia built a strong foundation in the law through roles that deepened her understanding of the justice system from multiple angles. She began her legal career as a Law Clerk for the Massachusetts Superior Court, where she worked closely with judges on a range of civil and criminal cases, honing her analytical skills and gaining firsthand insight into the courtroom process.
She went on to serve as a Litigation Associate at Holland & Knight LLP, a national law firm where she represented clients in complex civil matters and developed her expertise in legal research, advocacy, and negotiation.
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Lydia later returned to public service as a Law Clerk for the Massachusetts Court of Appeals, where she supported appellate judges by drafting legal opinions and reviewing case records—work that sharpened her understanding of how law and policy intersect at every level of government.
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These early years provided Lydia with critical experience she would go on to apply in her lifelong fight for fairness, equity, and justice.
Championing Civil Rights
Public Interest Law & Grassroots Advocacy (2011–2016)
Lydia dedicated the next chapter of her career to standing up for some of the most overlooked and underrepresented members of our community. As Director of Legal Services at the Brazilian Immigrant Center, she provided direct legal assistance to immigrant workers—many of whom faced wage theft, unsafe working conditions, and exploitation. Her work ensured that hundreds of low-wage workers had access to fair treatment, legal recourse, and a powerful advocate on their side.​​
In 2014, Lydia was named Massachusetts Campaign Coordinator for the National Domestic Workers Alliance, where she led the statewide campaign to pass the Massachusetts Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. Bringing together workers, lawmakers, and community allies, she successfully secured landmark protections for thousands of nannies, housekeepers, and caregivers across the state—setting a national example for dignity and fairness in the workplace.
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Following this legislative victory, Lydia continued her commitment to justice as an Equal Justice Works Fellow at Greater Boston Legal Services, where she fought to expand access to unemployment benefits, win back stolen wages, and defend workers' rights across industries. Her fellowship focused on systemic solutions to labor abuse—making the legal system more accessible to those who need it most.
Called to Public Service
Housing Stability & City Council (2016–2022)
In 2016, Lydia Edwards was tapped to launch and lead Boston’s first-ever Office of Housing Stability, a groundbreaking initiative designed to combat housing displacement and protect renters. As Deputy Director, she built the office from the ground up—managing urgent housing cases, advocating for tenants’ rights, and creating innovative policies to keep Bostonians in their homes. Her work blended hands-on crisis response with forward-thinking legislative solutions, setting a new standard for local housing advocacy.
In 2017, Lydia brought that same passion and vision to the ballot—and made history. She was elected as the Boston City Councilor for District 1, representing East Boston, Charlestown, and the North End. On the Council, Lydia quickly emerged as a bold policy leader and consensus builder, unafraid to challenge the status quo.
Lydia led the successful passage of a major zoning reform bill to increase transparency and accountability on the Zoning Board of Appeal—adding urban planning and environmental experts, instituting term limits, strengthening conflict-of-interest rules, and requiring regular public reporting. She took on corporate chain expansion, introducing legislation to give neighborhoods more control over their storefronts. She led the fight for city budget reform, empowering the Council and the public with new tools for fiscal oversight and participatory budgeting.
Lydia was also a powerful voice for reproductive rights—working alongside then Attorney General Maura Healey, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, and Councilor Michelle Wu to support the passage of the ROE Act in Massachusetts. She co-sponsored legislation to divest Boston’s funds from fossil fuels, a years-long effort that culminated in a historic ordinance signed into law by Mayor Wu in 2021.
From expanding housing protections to reshaping the city charter, Lydia Edwards left a lasting legacy on Boston government—rooted in transparency, accountability, and putting people first.
Delivering Results on Beacon Hill
MA State Senate & Military Service (2022–Present)
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Since her election to the Massachusetts State Senate in 2022, Lydia Edwards has brought her trademark energy, vision, and tenacity to Beacon Hill—fighting for housing justice, workers’ rights, and climate action across the Commonwealth. Representing the Third Suffolk District, she quickly became a leading voice in the Senate, serving as Chair of the Judiciary Committee and Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing, as well as a member of the powerful Senate Ways and Means Committee.
Lydia has filed and advanced major legislation to make housing more affordable and accessible, including efforts to seal eviction records, expand the renter tax credit, reform zoning laws to support accessory dwelling units, and create new training programs for municipal housing board members. She also pushed to implement a graduated deed excise tax to fund affordable housing and led efforts to protect tenants from unjust broker fees. Her housing advocacy builds on years of grassroots work and continues to center renters, working-class families, and historically marginalized communities.
A steadfast champion for labor, Lydia has introduced bills to secure collective bargaining rights in the cannabis industry, protect warehouse and app-based workers, expand apprenticeships, and prevent clawbacks of unemployment overpayments. She has also advanced legislation to promote infant-friendly workplaces and strengthen speech protections for union members—ensuring that working people have a seat at the table and a voice in their future.
Lydia has made climate justice a core priority, co-sponsoring the state’s sweeping climate legislation to help Massachusetts reach net-zero emissions by 2050. She filed targeted bills to promote climate-resilient building standards, support clean energy job transitions, invest in green infrastructure in environmental justice communities, and create climate literacy programs across higher education institutions. Her commitment to environmental equity is rooted in her work representing frontline communities like East Boston, which have long borne the brunt of pollution and underinvestment.
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Beyond policy, Lydia continues to lead by example. In 2023, she joined the Massachusetts Army National Guard as a First Lieutenant and Judge Advocate General (JAG) Officer, providing legal counsel to service members and demonstrating her ongoing commitment to public service and justice in all forms.