Ruthzee on the Issues

Boston is facing urgent challenges, and we’ve this moment with passion, purpose, and a deep love for our city.

Born and raised in Mattapan and Hyde Park, I’m a proud graduate of Boston Public Schools and Harvard Law School, and the daughter of Haitian working-class immigrants. I speak English, French, and Haitian Creole, and I’m conversant in Spanish. Language accessibility is one way I stay connected to the diverse communities I serve across Boston.

Scroll down to read more about the work we have been doing.

Championing Affordable Housing in Boston

As an At-Large City Councilor, I’ve led efforts to make housing in Boston more affordable, accessible, and equitable. In my first two terms, I championed key housing reforms and fought to ensure that every neighborhood, regardless of zip code, offers real opportunities for residents to live and thrive.

Now, as President of the Boston City Council, I’ve continued this work by championing and obtaining more city vouchers and housing for vulnerable populations. I’ve supported the Boston Acquisition Opportunity Program (AOC) which prevents displacement and keeps people in their homes. We’ve strengthened tenant protections and homeownership, and we are exploring ways to convert underused municipal buildings into new housing options.

Prioritizing High Quality and Accessible Education

I am committed to building a safe, high-quality, and inclusive public school system for every student in Boston. My work focuses on mental health, student safety, and uplifting diverse identities in the classroom.

I have championed fair pay for educators, supported family engagement, and advocated for budget investments that strengthen Boston’s schools citywide with more school counselors and new school facilities.

Reforming Public Spaces for Equity, Access, Sustainability, and Safety

I also pushed for a new perspective on public spaces and worked alongside my colleagues to redesign our waste management services by approaching new solutions to sustainability.

Supporting Boston’s Immigrant Communities

During my first term, I served as the Chair of the Committee on Civil Rights, Racial Equity, and Immigrant Advancement, where I advocated for the safety, professional opportunities, and legal support of Boston’s immigrant communities.

I continue this work as Council President, where I work to uplift the rights of our immigrant community and denounce the rollback of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for our Haitian, Venezuelan, Afghan, Ukrainian and other communities who have had their TPS status revoked or placed at risk.

Protecting Voting Rights and Expanding Civic Engagement

I continue to fight for protecting the voting rights of our residents, including advocating for Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) to support more equitable, representative, and accurate elections. I successfully passed a home rule petition on the Boston City Council in support of RCV. We got the city to commit to publishing information on early voting earlier than has been the norm. I supported community activism and engagement with local government and met with constituents across the city.

Commitment to Every Boston Neighborhood

I’ve been working hard to bridge gaps and bring resources to every neighborhood in our city while engaging with Boston’s most pressing issues. I am ready to continue building upon the work I have done in my first two terms on behalf of residents to make this city more equitable, more inclusive, and more affordable.