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FRAMINGHAM – On Tuesday, July 26 the City of Framingham will dedicate the ballroom at Historic Village Hall to the late Karen Foran Dempsey.
Dempsey was not only the founder of the Framingham Disability Commission 20 years ago, but a fierce advocate for persons with disabilities in Framingham.
For decades, Dempsey was not able to attend events at Historic Village Hall, while using her motorized scooter, as there was no elevator to the second floor ballroom. She fought to change that.
In 2019, Dempsey’s efforts paid off as she was able to ride in the newly-installed elevator to the ballroom and the stage at Village Hall, which was the community’s first-ever Town Hall.
Sadly, Dempsey, died on December 24, 2020, at the age of 54. At the time she was the District 2 School Committee member.
In January, the Framingham Disability Commission, of which she was a member for more than 18 years, voted unanimously to request the City of Framingham and Mayor Charlie Sisitsky name the ballroom at Historic Village Hall after Karen Foran Dempsey.
The Tuesday, July 26 event also marks the 32nd anniversary of the Americans with Disability Act.
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The Dempsey, Foran, and Leombruno family be unveiling the plaque naming the room.
The Framingham Disability Commission, chaired by Sheryl Goldstein, will unveil the first-ever flag marking persons with disabilities.
The 2-hour event starts at 5:30 p.m.
Governor Charlie Baker, Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, Senate President Karen Spilka, Mayor Charlie Sisitsky, and other city officials are scheduled to attend.
Accessible and dignitary parking will be in the front and back of Village Hall.
Unitarian universalist church and the Danforth Museum parking lot are available for public parking.
MetroWest Medical Center