WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) introduced a congressional record statement remembering and honoring the life of Aubri Esters, an outspoken and beloved activist in the Massachusetts 7th.  Esters was a bold advocate for marginalized communities, including transgender individuals, people with disabilities, people with substance use disorders, and trauma survivors.

“On Thursday, June 11th, our community lost a true activist leader, table shaker and accomplice in the fight for health care justice,” wrote Congresswoman Pressley in her statement. “Aubri will be missed dearly, but her legacy lives on in the policy she helped to create, in the hearts of her fellow activists, and in the minds of policy makers who she engaged and enlightened.”

The full statement is below.

Statement of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley

Honoring Aubri Esters

June 18, 2020

 

Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of Representatives to join me in honoring and celebrating the life of Ms. Aubri Esters, an outspoken and beloved activist.

Aubri was a voice for the unheard. She was unabashed in sharing her story and her lived experiences to advocate for the wellbeing of those most marginalized, including other transgender individuals, people with disabilities, people with substance use disorders, and trauma survivors.

In addition to serving on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Harm Reduction Commission, Aubri co-founded the organization SIFMA Now!, a coalition dedicated to building public support for supervised consumption sites and other life-saving harm reduction efforts. Whether on the ground working directly with impacted communities or in the Massachusetts State House advocating for progressive health policies that center those most vulnerable, Aubri was committed to saving lives.

On Thursday, June 11th, our community lost a true activist leader, table shaker and accomplice in the fight for health care justice. Aubri will be missed dearly, but her legacy lives on in the policy she helped to create, in the hearts of her fellow activists, and in the minds of policy makers who she engaged and enlightened. 

Madam Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in recognizing the life of Aubri Esters and her contributions to the Massachusetts 7th Congressional District. We remember Aubri with tremendous gratitude for her life-saving advocacy. May she forever rest in power.

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