Merle Nelson (née Royte; born May 8, 1935) is an American politician and court mediator.
Merle Nelson | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Maine House of Representatives | |
| In office 1977–1986 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 8, 1935 Portland, Maine, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Leonard Nelson |
| Children | 3, including Judd Nelson |
| Residence(s) | Portland, Maine Falmouth, Maine |
| Alma mater | Lesley College (B.A.) Harvard University (M.A.) |
| Profession | Court mediator |
Early life and education
editNelson, of Jewish ancestry, was born and raised in Portland, Maine. She graduated from Deering High School in 1953. She earned a teaching degree from Lesley College in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She began teaching and earned a M.A. from Harvard University.[1]
Political career
editA Democrat, she served five terms in the Maine House of Representatives from 1977 to 1986. In 1977, while a first-term legislator, Nelson testified to the Subcommittee on Employment, Poverty, and Migratory Labor of the United States Congress on behalf of the Displaced Homemakers Act.[2] Nelson played a leading role in helping establish Seeds of Peace international summer camp in Otisfield, Maine.[3] In 2005, Governor John Baldacci nominated her to the board of trustees of the Maine Community College System.[4] The Maine Centers for Women, Work, and Community's Merle Nelson Making a Difference award is named in her honor.[5]
Family
editShe is married to a fellow Harvard alumnus Leonard Nelson, a Portland-based corporate attorney. They live in Falmouth Foreside, Maine. One of their children, Judd Nelson (born 1959), is a well-known television and film actor.[3]
References
edit- ^ "Merle Nelson". Portland Public Schools Promise. January 10, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ "Displaced Homemakers Act, 1977: Hearings Before the Subcommittee on Employment, Poverty, and Migratory Labor of the Committee on Human Resources, United States Senate, Ninety-fifth Congress, First Session, on S. 418 ... September 12 and 13, 1977". U.S. Government Printing Office. 1977. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
- ^ a b Peck, Abraham J.; Peck, Jean M. (2007). Maine's Jewish Heritage. Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4396-3457-8.
- ^ Maine State Legislature (122nd: 2004-2006), "Legislative History: Governor's Nomination: Merle Nelson of Falmouth nominated for appointment as member of the Board of Trustees, Maine Community College System (SP581)," https://digitalmaine.com/legishist122/2274
- ^ "Maine Centers for Women, Work and Community honors Mary Herman for public service". Bangor Daily News. April 9, 2013. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
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