18-07-2025
Readers respond to essays about perimenopause, homelessness, and more
Hauser absolutely nailed it. As a 46-year-old who is recovering from an evening of bouncing and headbanging (ish) at Primus/Perfect Circle last night, she's hit on all the highlights. Keep saying it out loud. My mother, and her mother, both suffered in silence through peri/menopause. I'm not gonna. My angst and I are going to get things done. And maybe nap. But still get things done. Stay punk rock, my friend.
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Mary Thomas,
Stoneham
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As someone who loves words, this Connections (
Barbara Harting,
Framingham
I continue to feel inspired by the work that medical professionals do across the country. The public is largely unaware of the emotional and physical toll health care workers are under. The challenges for poor and marginalized communities are magnified with the social problems that they face. As a Latino man, I see health issues affect my community deeply. I'm the co-creator of a national program called
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Hugo Hernandez,
Co-creator, Where Does It Hurt?
Model Leadership
I was quite impressed with Don Gillis' great Perspective (
David Gleason,
Mashpee
I look forward to reading Gillis' new book. I assume he also addresses Flynn's evolution during the busing crisis to his becoming a politician with a broader concern for the entire city. Flynn's bridge to Marty Walsh and Michelle Wu was, of course, Tom Menino, who continued an inclusive, citywide agenda with a nuts and bolts approach. Indeed, Boston mayors from Kevin White to Wu have shown they will advocate for their city at the federal level even as it continues to grapple with the longstanding issues of race and class differences at home. Trump has accentuated the conflict and chaos with these differences and Flynn's legacy has positioned the city to do the right thing in the face of this chaos.
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Philip S. Hart,
Los Angeles
City Centered
Suggestion: When providing the data for On the Block homes (
Gary Larrabee,
Wenham
An Impressive Track Record
What a pleasure to read good news about a dedicated person who clearly knows right from wrong, good from bad, and has accepted a hefty challenge (
Gretchen Schuler,
Wayland
I loved the history about Eng's parents and family, along with his work experience. He truly has done an amazing job, all rooted in his collaborative, methodical, and accountable approach. My son takes the Red Line every day to Kendall Square and says the difference is tangible and appreciated. More stories like this might lead to a better impact on the whole state.
Mark Bresnahan,
Plymouth
Although I live in New Hampshire, I was born and raised in Boston and have good memories of the T. I recently heard a bit of an interview with Mr. Eng on NPR and was impressed at how he actually answered questions in a smart, approachable way. I think we are missing that in public figures these days, and this was a reminder of what good people can do.
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Sandy Wadlington,
Bradford, New Hampshire
I thoroughly enjoyed Wen's article that delved into Eng and the road that brought him to Boston. It was detailed, factual, and showed his personal side, as well. So far so good for this success story!
Pat Kavanagh,
Nahant
Phil Eng has had an extraordinary impact on MBTA operations across the entire system, the morale of staff, and the satisfaction of users — all in two years. This story of a man with deep expertise and vast experience, team management skills, and political grit is more than a turnaround story and more than a human interest story: It is a story of public sector leadership at its very best. Mr. Eng stands in sharp contrast to the adjacent
Globe Magazine
article with the subhead 'The president wants to take down our institutions, our economy, and our ideals.' Thanks from a grateful citizen and Orange Line rider.
David E. Stein,
Boston
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