Letter from Genevra Counihan (1975)
Title
Letter from Genevra Counihan (1975)
Description
A letter from State Representative Genevra Counihan for the Girl Scout time capsule.
Transcription:
Dear Ellen,
Thank you for your letter asking me to participate with the Brownies in the time capsule. Your invitation means even more to me, because I too was a Brownie many years ago and now have a daughter, Jessica, in Troop 190.
You asked me two questions: What I think is important about Concord and how I got to be State Representative.
The most important thing about Concord is the people who live here now, lived here in the past and will live here in the future. People have given Concord its special character—the historic landmarks, the open fields and woodlands, the ideals, simplicity, and all the activities we enjoy. Many have cared very much, shared their ideas, and worked hard to keep what is best about Concord and to make our Town a better place to live.
To become a State Representative. one must run for office. Running means asking people to help you and to vote for you.
I met the people in our District (Concord, Carlisle and North Sudbury) by going alone or with a friend to over 3,000 doors to introduce myself, so voters could ask me questions. I also attended over 40 coffees and many more meetings, fairs, parades, and even the dump, where it was possible to meet and talk to voters.
But it took much more than my effort to win. There were many volunteers who addressed envelopes, delivered leaflets, passed out bumper stickers and pins, talked to friends, wrote press releases and had parties to raise money for our campaign.
My job now is to help people in our District, so if you have more questions, please let me know, or if you have any suggestions, I'd like those too. Thanks again for including my letter.
Sincerely,
Genevra R. Counihan
Transcription:
Dear Ellen,
Thank you for your letter asking me to participate with the Brownies in the time capsule. Your invitation means even more to me, because I too was a Brownie many years ago and now have a daughter, Jessica, in Troop 190.
You asked me two questions: What I think is important about Concord and how I got to be State Representative.
The most important thing about Concord is the people who live here now, lived here in the past and will live here in the future. People have given Concord its special character—the historic landmarks, the open fields and woodlands, the ideals, simplicity, and all the activities we enjoy. Many have cared very much, shared their ideas, and worked hard to keep what is best about Concord and to make our Town a better place to live.
To become a State Representative. one must run for office. Running means asking people to help you and to vote for you.
I met the people in our District (Concord, Carlisle and North Sudbury) by going alone or with a friend to over 3,000 doors to introduce myself, so voters could ask me questions. I also attended over 40 coffees and many more meetings, fairs, parades, and even the dump, where it was possible to meet and talk to voters.
But it took much more than my effort to win. There were many volunteers who addressed envelopes, delivered leaflets, passed out bumper stickers and pins, talked to friends, wrote press releases and had parties to raise money for our campaign.
My job now is to help people in our District, so if you have more questions, please let me know, or if you have any suggestions, I'd like those too. Thanks again for including my letter.
Sincerely,
Genevra R. Counihan
Creator
Representative Genevra Counihan
Date
1975
Format
Image
Citation
Representative Genevra Counihan, “Letter from Genevra Counihan (1975),” William Munroe Special Collections at the Concord Free Public Library, accessed April 30, 2025, https://mail.sc.concordlibrary.org/items/show/5348.