Saundra Graham

Today would have marked the 85th birthday of Saundra M. Graham, Cambridge community activist and politician.

Saundra was born in Cambridge on September 5, 1941 and attended public schools here, later going on to the University of Massachusetts and Harvard University Extension. Saundra moved to Boston after marrying Carl Graham, Sr. in 1958. Following the couple’s divorce, Saundra returned to Cambridge in 1968 to raise her five children, settling in the Riverside neighborhood.

That year, Saundra joined the Board of Directors of the Cambridge Community Center. In 1971, she helped found and became president of the Riverside Cambridgeport Community Development Corporation, which provided and upgraded low- and moderate-income housing for Cambridge residents. During the 1970 Harvard commencement, Saundra led a protest against the university’s expansion into and eviction of long-time Riverside residents. The protest succeeded in compelling the university to construct inclusive housing complexes over the next ten years.

In 1971, Saundra became the first woman of color to be elected to the Cambridge City Council. As City Councilor, Vice Mayor, and later State Representative, she played a key role in obtaining federal housing dollars for Cambridge that resulted in rehabilitation and modernization of public housing. In 1976, Saundra was elected as State Representative, a seat she held for twelve years, becoming the first black woman representative from Cambridge to the State House. She continued to work for fair housing in the legislature and was dedicated to obtaining economic justice for the poor, elderly, unemployed, minorities and women.

Saundra passed away on June 23, 2023. Though her accomplishments are too numerous to list here, a portion of her obituary emphasizes her dedication to public service: “Saundra was a stalwart of her community. She was a champion for all and spent her lifework ensuring that family, neighbors, the community, and the people of the State of Massachusetts were seen, heard, valued, and uplifted. She was the voice of the people and a beacon of change.”