Honoring Governor Grasso’s 105th Birthday

Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, State Reps. Tami Zawistowski and Jane Garibay, State Senator John Kissel, former state representatives and senators, dignitaries, relatives and friends gathered inside the Memorial hall of the Connecticut State Library for a ceremony honoring the late Governor Ella T. Grasso on her 105th birthday.

Hosted by the lieutenant governor, the hour-and-a-half-long event highlighted Governor Grasso’s political rise, leadership, and legacy as the first woman in the country to be elected governor in her own right.  A native of Windsor Locks, Governor Grasso is still held in high regard both locally and statewide.  The Windsor Locks delegation paid tribute to her state and national service and shared personal stories of her connections to the community.

Featured speakers who also noted how Governor Grasso’s inspiration and example shaped our state included Khalilah Brown-Dean, Wesleyan University professor and Executive Director of the Allbritton Center, Raina Giddings, Executive Director of the CT Women’s Hall of Fame, and Colleen Murphy, Executive Director of the Freedom of Information Commission.

The Governor’s daughter, Susanne Grasso, shared poignant stories about her mother, and longtime friends, political colleagues, and journalists including former Congresswoman Barbara Kennelly, Steve Kotchko, Cornelius O”Leary, John Purmont, Carl Schiessl and Jay Tepper shared humorous anecdotes and memories.