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Connie Tom: Former Fellow Turns Host

By Sarita Frattaroli

 Text Box: Fellow Sinead Keegan leads the way as the Fellows finish a tour of the new BHA Orchard Garden Apartments.

Ms. Connie Tom, a Civil Rights Specialist at the Boston Housing Authority, is proof that the Ward Fellowship inspires a life of public service.  Not only was she a Ward Fellow at the Boston Housing Authority, but she is now hosting a fellow in the same sector of public life.  While growing up in Brighton and Roslindale, Ms. Tom received her education at Latin School.  “The challenges and experiences I had there made me a well-rounded person.  The opportunities Latin provided brought me here today.”  Those opportunities included the Ward Fellowship.  While located at the BHA, Connie may have been doing what seemed to be general office work: working the switchboard, sorting mail, and following the building manager.  However, Connie was exposed to obstacles that the disadvantaged public face each day.  “People would call for help in a state of confusion after repeatedly being pointed in the wrong direction.  I wanted to change that.” 

After graduating from BLS, Ms. Tom went on to Boston College where she studied communications and education.  Pursuing an interest in journalism, she covered school sports for the Boston Herald.  Gradually, Ms. Tom became more interested in public service, working with public housing again at the BHA and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  While attending BC Law School, Connie represented the Occupancy Department at the BHA.  This time she saw a different side of the authority, learning that the BHA, “serves an important public function.”  Remembering her many positive learning experiences at the BHA, Connie returned after graduating from BC Law School to become a Civil Rights Specialist in the Civil Rights Department.

Connie has been a very enthusiastic Ward Fellow Host.  She saw to it that I was not limited to the switchboard, but rather let me work on her investigations and witness the legal processes that take place in her department.  Her meeting with the other Fellows was a major highlight.  We met the BHA Administrator Sandra Henriquez over lunch and then Connie brought us to the new Orchard Gardens Development.  We were taken on a tour of the development by Manager Sharon Russell, exposing all of us to what is considered the future of public housing.

Text Box: BHA Fellow Sarita Frattaroli explains the construction phases at the old Orchard Park demolition site. In the future Connie plans to obtain a degree in Public Policy.  She likes her interaction with the public now and the power to help others.  Ms. Tom’s parents immigrated to the U.S. from China and Hong Kong, a situation to which many of her clients can relate.  Connie Tom considers her service to the people of Boston not only as her job but as her passion.  “Public Service is my way of giving back to the country that has provided me with so much.”