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MEET NATALIE
Since 2017, Natalie Higgins has fought for Leominster and its residents in the Massachusetts State Legislature. Scroll down to learn about Natalie’s path to becoming your State Representative. |
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Natalie Higgins is a lifelong Leominster resident, Boston-educated attorney, and former Executive Director of a non-profit organization, who is dedicated to service and advocacy. Natalie was first elected State Representative in the 4th Worcester District in 2017.
A 2006 graduate of Leominster High School, Natalie obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from UMass Amherst, earned her law degree from Northeastern University School of Law and was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 2014.
Natalie’s interest in government was solidified during her undergraduate years at UMass, and particularly during an internship with then-Representative Jennifer Flanagan. Inspired by such a strong and confident role model, Natalie set a goal to continue serving the Leominster community through non-profit and government work. Her training in community organizing while at UMass also shaped what would be a future of advocacy and public service.
A 2006 graduate of Leominster High School, Natalie obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from UMass Amherst, earned her law degree from Northeastern University School of Law and was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 2014.
Natalie’s interest in government was solidified during her undergraduate years at UMass, and particularly during an internship with then-Representative Jennifer Flanagan. Inspired by such a strong and confident role model, Natalie set a goal to continue serving the Leominster community through non-profit and government work. Her training in community organizing while at UMass also shaped what would be a future of advocacy and public service.
Natalie volunteered at Pathways for Change where she initially served as a counselor for survivors of sexual violence. She also led Pathways' prevention programming, teaching and counseling local middle and high school students as a Teen Counselor and Educator. She served on Pathways' Board of Directors, where she was elected Vice President in 2015 until the end of 2016.
While in law school, Natalie secured a competitive Rappaport Fellowship in Policy and Law, where she worked in the Cabinet Affairs Office of Governor Deval Patrick, drafting best practices to protect non-student minors from sexual violence on public college campuses. Natalie also worked in the Worcester Juvenile Court, under the Honorable Carol A. Erskine and in the Elder Unit of Community Legal Aid. She participated in Northeastern’s Domestic Violence Clinic, providing support for Dorchester and Roxbury residents seeking restraining orders. During her last co-op, Natalie travelled to India as a recipient of the PHRGE (Program on Human Rights and the Global Economy) Fellowship where she worked with the Reproductive Rights Initiative of the Human Rights Law Network, advocating for the legal rights of women in India.
Natalie knows what it means to struggle with the burden of educational debt; therefore, shortly after finishing law school, she took on the position of Executive Director for the Public Higher Education Network of Massachusetts (PHENOM), organizing and advocating for well-funded, debt-free, accessible, and well-staffed public higher education in Massachusetts.
While in law school, Natalie secured a competitive Rappaport Fellowship in Policy and Law, where she worked in the Cabinet Affairs Office of Governor Deval Patrick, drafting best practices to protect non-student minors from sexual violence on public college campuses. Natalie also worked in the Worcester Juvenile Court, under the Honorable Carol A. Erskine and in the Elder Unit of Community Legal Aid. She participated in Northeastern’s Domestic Violence Clinic, providing support for Dorchester and Roxbury residents seeking restraining orders. During her last co-op, Natalie travelled to India as a recipient of the PHRGE (Program on Human Rights and the Global Economy) Fellowship where she worked with the Reproductive Rights Initiative of the Human Rights Law Network, advocating for the legal rights of women in India.
Natalie knows what it means to struggle with the burden of educational debt; therefore, shortly after finishing law school, she took on the position of Executive Director for the Public Higher Education Network of Massachusetts (PHENOM), organizing and advocating for well-funded, debt-free, accessible, and well-staffed public higher education in Massachusetts.
Natalie is honored to have the opportunity to serve her home community and represent the people of Leominster as the State Representative for the 4th Worcester District. Natalie has a proven record of hard work, perseverance and determination. She believes in the importance of a government that is accessible and understandable to the people that it serves. Natalie brings a new voice for the people of Leominster -- a voice that is dedicated to helping all of its residents, especially for those who feel that their voice goes unheard.
Natalie has been appointed to five committees for the 2023-2024 legislative session: the Joint Committee on Public Service (House Vice Chair), the House Committee on Ways and Means, the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Recovery, and the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities. Natalie also serves as a House Co-Chair of the Library Caucus, Public Higher Education Caucus, Protecting Animal Welfare (PAW) Caucus, and the Sexual Violence Task Force of the Women's Caucus.
Natalie has been appointed to five committees for the 2023-2024 legislative session: the Joint Committee on Public Service (House Vice Chair), the House Committee on Ways and Means, the Joint Committee on Ways and Means, the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Recovery, and the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities. Natalie also serves as a House Co-Chair of the Library Caucus, Public Higher Education Caucus, Protecting Animal Welfare (PAW) Caucus, and the Sexual Violence Task Force of the Women's Caucus.