Meghan Kallman, of 93 Capwell Ave, has announced her candidacy for Pawtucket City Council in Ward 5. “I’m running for City Council to make Pawtucket a thriving, economically viable, sustainable city for our residents, our children, and our small businesses,” she said of her campaign. “Our Council needs new ideas and fresh energy, and I am ready to work hard to make those new ideas a reality”.

Kallman works as a researcher at Brown University and teaches in the state prison. She also volunteers her time with a number of nonprofit and advocacy programs serving both Pawtucket and Rhode Island. “My organizing experience, both in the community and at the State House, have prepared me to be an effective and creative City Counselor”, she says.

Kallman is co-founder of Crash Pawtucket, an organization that showcases small businesses in the city in partnership with neighborhood and community groups. She also serves on the Pawtucket Juvenile Hearings Board, a restorative justice program aimed at keeping children out of legal trouble.  Pawtucket resident Elizabeth Maynard shared, “I live and work in Pawtucket. Meghan and I have been working together on the Taft Street Community garden, and it’s great to be part of such an uplifting project with someone so motivated and committed. I was thrilled to hear she is running for City Council.”

Kallman explained her motivation to run for office: “The job of an elected official is to to ensure our that our community thrives. We need to build a positive environment for families to live in, students to learn in, and businesses to grow in. I will work to align the city’s services with the needs of our community” she said.

Kallman has a PhD in sociology from Brown University, and a Bachelor’s from Smith College. She lives with her partner Tim, a divinity student and future Unitarian Universalist minister.

Oak Hill resident Morgan Lord said of Kallman’s campaign: “Meghan Kallman is an engaged, knowledgeable and well-integrated member of the Pawtucket/Oak Hill community. As an established city-organizer, she works very hard to nurture connections between Pawtucket residents and their representatives, all the while taking action on many of issues affecting the city’s well-being”.

[From a press release]