To the editor:

I am writing to express my support for Zosia VanMeter in the upcoming election for the 9th Essex District. I first met Zosia more than 20 years ago as an ambitious freshman at Lynn English High School who was involved in everything from MJROTC to Mock Trial, Model UN, and more. That drive and discipline to be involved in things that better herself and her community has only grown sharper and more focused over the years.

I watched her raise a family based on the inclusive values that everyone deserves respect, dignity, and empathy, and saw her put it into action on a regular basis through various volunteer roles — mentoring young women through Girls Inc., delivering Thanksgiving meals to homebound residents of the North Shore, providing workshops and resources for women in addiction recovery, initiating community youth events, building food pantries — the list goes on.

Zosia is the type of person you can rely on — to show up, to be honest, to do her best, to never avoid the hard conversations. I don’t think I have ever met a person who genuinely cares more about lifting up their entire community than Zosia does. She is more than a team player; she’s someone who has always actively looked for ways to improve things around her and taken the initiative to make those things happen.

For all these reasons and more, I am certain that electing Zosia VanMeter to represent the 9th Essex District would be a step toward the transparency and results voters want. Zosia is not a politician; she’s a fellow community member who is truly interested in making connections and is committed to making a difference. Her authenticity and work ethic are exactly what we need from our elected officials. I am proud to call her a friend and hope the 9th Essex District will see the same potential in her as I do.

Kindly,

Rachel Ramirez

Lynn