Senator Lydia Edwards is a career advocate, activist, and voice on behalf of society's most vulnerable. She was raised all over the world by her military mom but chose to make East Boston her home.  Prior to being elected to the State Senate and Boston City Council, Lydia worked extensively in the legal field. Lydia pushed to reduce airport pollution, expand water transportation, address traffic congestion, ensure community voice in major energy projects, rebuild public housing and stop proposed highway expansion. She solidified her role in the community as a bridge-builder, convening and organizing community meetings to take on larger conversations like Suffolk Downs in East Boston, the Bunker Hill Redevelopment project in Charlestown, and climate resilience in the historic North End. Lydia has always been on the side of the underdog and she finds new ways to make change at each new role. As a State Senator, Lydia is continuing to fight for workers, renters, unions, immigrants, teachers, to make our commonwealth more affordable, more inclusive, and more democratic.  Senator Edwards was sworn in on Oct. 30, 2023 as a Judge Advocate General in the Massachusetts Army National Guard. First Lieutenant Edwards received her first salute from her mother, Bridgett Edwards, a veteran who served 23 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a master sergeant in 1995. She lives in East Boston and loves to run along the waterfront, practice martial arts, and skydive.