Cambridge City Council - The Cambridge Historical Commission Blog

Saundra Graham

Posted on September 5, 2026September 5, 2026 by cambridgehistoricalcommission

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.

Cambridge City Council, Police Brutality Hearings, Civil Rights lawyer William Homans (top left), Saundra Graham (bottom left), and Joanne Pelham (bottom right), January 1971. Photographed by Olive Pierce. Cambridge Room, Cambridge Public Library Archives and Special Collections

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.

New City Council – Members of the Cambridge City Council are posed here following inaugural ceremony at City Hall. Front, from left, Out-going Mayor Walter J. Sullivan, Saundra Graham, Alfred E. Vellucci, senior councilor in 12th term; Barbara Ackermann and Thomas W. Danehy. Rear, Joseph Connarton, deputy city clerk; Leonard J. Russell, Daniel J. Clinton, David E. Clem, new councilor; Francis H. Duehay and City Clerk Paul Healy. Photographed by Ed Pacheco, 1976.

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.”

VIDEO: Town Meeting to Plan E

Posted on May 18, 2023 by cambridgehistoricalcommission

Have you ever wondered how Cambridge came to adopt its current form of government? Look no further! In episode 1 of a new series from Cambridge Civic Journal, documentarians John Pitkin, Gregorio Leon, and Robert Winters examine how our city and government evolved from 1846 to the latest Charter reform in 1940. Click below to watch the first episode.

Episode 1: a documentary examining the history of the Cambridge Charter, from incorporation as a city in 1846 to the adoption of Plan E in 1940.

Focus On: CHC Volunteers

Posted on November 5, 2018May 14, 2020 by cambridgehistoricalcommission

We are back with the latest installment of our blog series on the wonderful CHC volunteers. Today we would like you to meet volunteer (and former staff and Commission member) Allison Crump.

allison2

How long have you been with the Cambridge Historical Commission?

I came to the Commission as an Audubon summer intern in 1975, while attending the Columbia Preservation program. After graduation, I joined the staff for several years. Later I was an appointed member of the Commission for 20 years. Now I’m retired, I’m back to my roots!

What collection have you been working on? Tell us more about it.

The City Clerk’s archives include several boxes of applications to the Cambridge City Council for permission to move structures, which was once a common practice. The applications I am working with date from 1870 – 1910; these are the ones we have found, but there may well be more. [Editor’s note: We are calling this the Building Removals Collection. Allison has been going through the applications in search of the original and subsequent – post-move – locations of these structures.]

A building removal form for a property at Broadway and Main, 1888

What is the importance of the Building Removals Collection?

When I am successful at determining the original and subsequent locations, it’s a view into development patterns, as demands for more modern, larger structures in high-value locations created surplus structures available for re-use in various ways, often in areas newly subdivided for development.

What’s challenging is that descriptions of the sites are not always precise, and even when street numbers are used, these have often changed over time. In some cases, approved removals appear to have never occurred, or were subject to multiple applications as proposed routes or locations shifted. Another interesting aspect is the activity of specific moving firms at different periods.

It’s most satisfying when the survey files have speculated that a building was moved to its current location, and the removal files tie it to an original site.

Example of a completed building removal research form (completed by a former CHC staff member)

What is your academic and career background?

In undergrad, I majored in history and art history, specializing in architectural history. After Columbia and working at the Commission, I gradually migrated into affordable housing and nonprofit finance as my professional focus. It’s fun to be back in the research game.

How long have you lived in Cambridge?

Over 40 years. But I’m still a newcomer, and would never presume to describe this as my hometown. My kid’s a native, though, so that gives me some standing.

What is your favorite thing about historic preservation? (or, your favorite building in Cambridge?)

I’m most interested in the flexibility of structures to adapt to changing needs over time. That makes it possible to maintain continuity and context in the built environment, even when their original purpose has been superseded. It’s also deeply satisfying to witness the extent to which preservation values have become accepted and see individual buildings, streets and neighborhoods which once seemed doomed, now in good repair and no longer threatened. The block of Broadway between Prospect and Inman Streets is a great example of this phenomenon.

Thank you, Allison!