AMHERST — As part of a farewell tour leading up to his retirement from the Boston Red Sox last fall, David Ortiz received an honor from Boston city leaders of having the Brookline Avenue bridge, near Fenway Park, renamed the Big Papi Bridge.
Noting her own pending departure from the state Legislature after nearly a quarter century, retired state Rep. Ellen Story joked at a meeting of her colleagues that same week that perhaps she could get similar recognition.
“I said before I left thank you for the work you do, and that this might be a good group to mention that I’m on my own farewell tour and that I would not be displeased if a bridge was named after me,” Story said.
That is now a step closer to happening, as the House last week approved a measure to name a Montague Road bridge in her honor.
Rep. Solomon Goldstein-Rose, D-Amherst, who succeeded Story as the representative for the 3rd Hampshire District, said he understood Story to be kidding, but still felt it was a worthwhile honor for her service.
“Ellen Story was a model legislator,” Goldstein-Rose said. “She was, and is still, beloved by those in her district, and deeply respected by her fellow legislators.”
Those feelings were on display last week when the measure to name a bridge after her passed. Story, who was present in the House chamber, received a standing ovation.
“I think it is fabulous to have a bridge named after me, I am extremely pleased,” Story said.
Goldstein-Rose said he wanted a simple process to rename a bridge, which meant only a state-owned bridge could be designated. The one on Montague Road is appropriate due to its proximity to Mill River Recreation Area, where Story held numerous events while a state representative. Story added that it was also appropriate because she watched many of her son’s baseball games on its diamonds.
Once the legislation is passed by the Senate and signed by the governor, a plaque will be put on the bridge, and a ceremony will take place, probably this summer.
Coincidentally, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, a bill Story had long championed, was passed by the House that same day. The bill ensures pregnant workers will be given certain basic accommodations and have legal options if facing workplace bullying. Some of these accommodations might be having a stool on which to sit, being allowed to carry a bottle of water and having more frequent bathroom breaks.
Story said she sees the bill as preventing bullying by employers for women who get pregnant.
“This is a form of bullying, of people being mean to women for being pregnant,” Story said.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
