BOSTON - As the first woman to represent the 8th Hampden District, Shirley Arriaga entered the State House in January as a political outsider, relying on her experience in the Air Force to help fellow veterans in the state.

“Some of these bills that I introduced you would say, 'oh that’s a given,' and once again, it’s not a given," Arriaga said. "When you just assume it's something that we do, we don’t. It’s important and vital that we put the legislation to work to ensure that our most vulnerable are being protected."  

Arriaga, a Democrat, is proud of her participation in getting legislation like getting free school lunches on the books. She learned not everything that might seem obvious to some in Massachusetts are laws, including items addressing gender pay gaps. 

Arriaga said she is going into 2024 with the mantra of "you shouldn’t assume anything," but also with the appreciation that everyone in the Legislature is there for the same reason - to make the state a better place. 

“It’s a really really big team, as you can imagine 200 of us is a lot - 160 in the chamber, you can’t even hear yourself think," she said. "You sit around and you look at each individual in this room is advocating for the issues that truly matter to their communities. That is just amazing."

Arriaga has several bills in the mix she is looking forward to passing in 2024, including many to help veterans and improve education in the state.

“It's been an amazing year of learning, of reflecting, of understanding that every single day and every conversation that we have does matter and is going to impact folks," Arriaga said. "It is truly an honor. I’m ready for next year for 2024. Let's get it.”