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FRAMINGHAM – State Representative Maria Robinson participated in a documentary film by Voyage Pictures on Asian-American lawmakers for The Voice of America.
Robinson, a Democrat who represents the City of Framingham, is the first Korean-American elected in the Massachusetts State House.
As the nominee for the Assistant Secretary of Energy for Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, once confirmed by the U.S. Senate, she would head the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability within the United States Department of Energy.
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She had her first hearing before the U.S. Senate Committee earlier this month.
A vote on her nomination by that committee is expected in March.
The news video starts out with a flag day ceremony. Former Framingham Veterans Council member Nick Paganella, who is 88, joking that the state representative is doing something for once.
Rep. Robinson is the hardest working of the City’s trio of state representatives.
Paganella is a Korean War Veteran and Robinson talks about how Korean War Veterans talk to her often.
Rep. Robinson talks about how it is odd for her as she think of herself as an American, even though she was adopted from Korea at 7 weeks old.
“My parents are the coolest people,” said Rep. Robinson in the news documentary. “Don’t tell them I said that. It will really go to their heads. I was raised by this gigantic Irish, French, German catholic family.”
She jokes she can always find herself in the family photos.
She talks about how she made a decision to run for the late Chris Walsh seat and when elected she was surprised that the legislature doesn’t reflect the diversity that she sees in the rest of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Only in the last election, is the legislature 30% female, said Rep. Robinson.
She discussed joining the Asian-American caucus and the xenophobia towards Asians due to the pandemic.
Being a state representative is a full time job, said Robinson, who added there are events all the time.
The piece looks into Rep. Robinson’s personal and political life.
At one point she is walking at one of her favorite places in Framingham – Cushing Memorial Park – with her daughter.
Another time she is out in a kayak with Ron Chick, an environmental activist or walking a dog with Democratic activist Norma Shulman.
Robinson talks about how her daughter has far more confidence than she had at that age.
Her daughter Marissa said she is “inspired” by her mom says she wants to run for office but for Senate.
Watch the full 20-minute video here:
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