Nicola Tsongas, Congresswoman
The Tsongas name will be forever linked to the history of the city and its revitalization. Paul was born in Lowell and as Niki relates here, his experience growing up in a city in decline shaped the ideas that motivated him as a politician throughout his career. Niki moved to Lowell after their marriage in 1969 and got to know the city while helping Paul campaign for his first elected position as a city councilor. He served two terms before successfully running as County Commissioner in 1972; from 1972-75 he served as a U.S. Congressman and from 1979-85 as a U.S. Senator. After actively assisting Paul throughout his election campaigns (six in nine years) and later working as a dean at Middlesex Community College, Niki successfully ran for the district’s congressional seat in 2007 and served in Congress until 2019.
Image by Middlesex Community College
Nicola Tsongas, fourth from left, at the acquisition of the Boston & Maine Depot building by Middlesex Community College, c. 2010.
Credit: MCC collection.
The Interview
In the interview, Niki weaves together their two careers in connection with the city. She highlights Paul’s early focus on the need for economic development and how his innate ability as a “change-maker” helped professionalize city management and make reforms as County Commissioner. While serving in Washington DC, he strategized the passing of the legislation for Lowell National Historical Park (see interview with Fred Faust). A core element of Paul and Niki’s vision that they shared with other community leaders (such as Pat Mogan and Dick and Nancy Donahue) was the insistence on high standards. Niki also provides valuable insight into the role of women in politics and government. She concludes by reminding the next generation that “the work is never done,” and that getting involved locally with a community, and being part of a whole really does make a difference. Social responsibility is also a generational responsibility: doing our best for the future, not just the here and now.