“Fatima is a gift to Concord. Our students will be the beneficiaries”
Garret Whitney
Thank you, Concord! With the overwhelming and unwavering support that you have given me throughout my campaign and our hard work together, we won the race for School Committee with a tally of 1,335 votes for Mezdad to 847 for Cusik.
Matthew Johnson won the race for Select Board with a tally of 1618 votes to 731 for Dane.
I am grateful for this victory and thankful to everyone who supported me in every way they could. I feel extremely fortunate and privileged to have such a supportive base. As I have already shared with you specifically, your uplifting and timely moral and spiritual support was a tremendous driving force for me to keep moving forward.
I am also proud to be a Jetpac Fellow and even prouder for having won the race for Concord School Committee with the rigorous Jetpac Public Service Fellowship training.
The fellowship provided me with the tools I needed to run a successful campaign. I benefited immensely from the mentorship of Shaun Kennedy and Mohammed Missouri. Their extensive knowledge of political campaigning, their determination, confidence and laser-sharp focus have been instrumental in helping to guide me and to persevere through a challenging campaign made only more daunting with the COVID 19 pandemic.
I humbly aspire to serve as a role model to those of us who feel underrepresented. I hope to inspire minorities to claim their seat at the table, make their voice heard and participate in the decision making in their communities even when it feels like an uphill battle. We will turn the page on discrimination together, one community at a time. Let us “dare greatly!” as Franklin Delano Roosevelt urged.
I am looking forward to joining the School Committee after the final adjournment of the Annual Town Meeting. I will continue to engage in conversation with community members about the future of our school district.
Fatima Mezdad
155 Powder Mill Road
Concord, MA 01742
Cell: 617-438-1612
CONGRATULATIONS!
From both Laurie and me. So well deserved!
Onward,
Eric and Laurie Van Loon
Dear Fatima,
What wonderful news! You are on the School Committee in Concord! In my opinion, there is nobody better suited for this than you. As I told you at the coffee, I was moved by your intellectual curiosity, capacity to forge partnerships, openness to various viewpoints, and your authenticity. These qualities are so desperately needed in community leaders. When I learned about your work on culturally informed resources for children and families, I felt inspired. I think it is an honor to our community that you ran for the school committee, and it is with great pride that we can celebrate your victory – which is a victory for all of us.
Sincerely,
Karin Maria Hodges
Fatima –
I was absolutely thrilled to see the election results. Congratulations! I think the school committees will benefit immensely from your time and talents. I thought so six months ago, and I think it’s even more true today given all the attention (finally) being paid to racism. Your perspective and experience have the potential to make a real difference to our community.
Savor the victory after a big effort and I hope to cross paths soon.
Best,
John Boynton
“Congratulations on your big win!”
Matt Johnson, Concord Select Board Member Elect
“Congratulations, Fatima!!!
I feel we are so fortunate to have you become a voice on the School Committee. And am just so pleased that lots of people feel the same enthusiasm. In fact, I was on a zoom with friends later last night, who are not plugged into the same connections as Tom and I, and they had done their research on the candidates — not knowing any of you all — and come to the conclusion that you and Matt were the people to choose in the contested races. Have that! and enjoy some rest this weekend (do you know how to rest?)
with great appreciation and affection”
CC King and Tom Tarpey
“I was so excited to see that you won the seat on the School Committee. Congratulations!
I’m honored to have supported you.”
Kathleen Snook
“Amazing numbers! Well deserved, Fatima, you worked hard for it.”
Habiba Dirrane
“Congrats on your new role! You will do great!
So proud of you
That was a spectacular swiping win!! Wow!!”
Elena Komioti
“Every single person I’ve texted with has said how lucky our community is to have you. I hope you are feeling all the love”
Diane Grace
Dear Concord Voter,
I will not take your time to sing the praises of Fatima Mezdad’s personal qualities. Anyone who has spent as much time working with families and children and has created such long and constructive relationships, as Fatima has, undoubtedly possesses integrity, dedication and tenacity. One of these families is mine, and I wholeheartedly attest to Fatima’s enthusiasm and commitment in everything she does. In the twenty years I have known Fatima, first as an educator to my children and then as a dear friend, I have experienced, first-hand, her indomitable spirit and ceaseless drive for delivering value, caring support, and effective change in all her associations, personal, or professional.
I will not compare Fatima to the other candidates for the public service position she is nominated for on the basis of efficacy and suitability. If the other candidates are as effective and persistent in pursuing excellence and advocacy in education as Fatima is, Concord is a fortunate town! What sets Fatima apart are her unique, invaluable perspective and the experiences that she brings to the table within the Concord community and its school district.
Fatima confidently straddles diverse worlds, many languages, different educational systems, and distinct cultures. From her North African birth-country to her home in North America, Fatima combines the Mediterranean Middle Eastern dedication for collective success based on strong family and community values as well as the uniquely American drive for individual innovation and success. Growing up as the only daughter among six brothers in her Algerian community, and as a native Berber in a predominantly Arab society, Fatima has lived the need for advocacy for minorities, specifically women’s and children’s rights. She has always been the strong, modern, independent woman who can effectively negotiate and balance needs and priorities in a realistic, reasonable manner.
Throughout her life, Fatima has actively navigated and successfully adjusted in varied cultures, value systems, and religions. She has never shied away from challenges. With her positive attitude and skillful interconnectedness, she has found personal happiness and success first as an educator, and recently as a businesswoman. As every immigrant and every mother knows, this journey has not been without challenges and personal sacrifices. If for others social justice is but a buzzword, for Fatima it has been a way of life. With courage, determination and perseverance, Fatima has risen through prejudice and biases to become the wonderful person that she is and raise her two sons with acceptance and sensitivity to their individual needs.
In the progressive, welcoming community of Concord, Fatima has found a home. She is eager to give back to the community by putting her strong work ethic and exceptional qualities at the town’s service. I trust that you can find no better or fiercer advocate for your school committee than Fatima Mezdad.
Sincerely,
Elena Komioti
Brookline MA