Biography

Welcome to the web site which will keep you here on Cape Cod in touch with your Republican State Committee!

For the last five years, I have had the opportunity to work in the Legislature, every day, helping to represent Dennis, Yarmouth and Brewster up in Boston . Every day, I've made that long trip back and forth, learning in the process that Cape Cod isn't just geographically removed from Beacon Hill - it's miles away in other ways as well.

So who exactly am I? Why am I involved with the Republican Party?

I'm originally from Worcester and moved to Dennis in 1981. I can claim to be a Cape Cod native, as I was born at Camp Edwards where my father was stationed during the Korean conflict, having been called back up after serving in Europe as a liberator of the concentration camps during World War II. My father, Nils Stead, worked for 37 years at Norton Abrasives in Worcester on the factory floor. My mother, Virginia Stead, worked for Paul Revere Life Insurance, and later for the Worcester Public Schools. My younger brother, Scott Stead, lives with his wife, Karen, in Charlton and is a second generation Norton worker. My youngest brother, Craig Stead, served as a Navy lieutenant on the USS Elrod during the First Gulf War, and now lives in our family homestead in Worcester and works for UPS.

I haven't spent my entire life in government, but have had a long and successful professional career. In the late 1970's, I worked at the Worcester Public Library, and earned my Mass. Certificate of Librarianship in 1979. I later went to work for Francis McGrath, the Worcester City Manager, and began to learn the basics of constituent service there, while becoming familiar with the many facets of government operations, the City budgeting process and the effect that government has on citizen's lives. In the early 1980's, after moving to Cape Cod , I went to work in the Taxpayer Service Division of the Internal Revenue Service. Later, after working in the Operations Division and Trust Department at CCB&T, I became a licensed insurance professional. I specialized in commercial lines, with accounts ranging from multi-million dollar food processing services to small artisans and truck fleets, again learning from each client the impact that government regulation has on the small business owner. From 1998 to 2004, I was the Legislative Aide (and entire staff) for Rep. Tom George of the First Barnstable District, where my experience in insurance was of great help during his service on the Health Care and Insurance Committees, and my experience with business owners helped while he served on Taxation and Commerce & Labor.

With my husband, I own John Monroe Quality Upholstery in Dennisport. Located in the Barbo Furniture Plaza , my husband John Monroe has been a successful residential and commercial upholsterer for 22 years. Since he started, and I had to figure up weekly withholding using a pink, laminated chart in pre-computer days, I have been acutely aware of the burden that regulation and taxation places on small businesses, and I would like to look out for the small business owners on Cape , whether they are plumbers, artists or restaurateurs.

My children are Johnelle Monroe of Somerville, a computer systems designer; Elizabeth Monroe of Grafton (DY Class of 1991), a commercial artist, and Carl Monroe of Dennis (DY Class of 2002).

I have tried to be an active and useful citizen in and around my home town of Dennis . I am a member of Stella Chapter, #3, Order of the Eastern Star and Northside Methodist Church where I serve as an ordained Local Lay Speaker, and serve communion to seniors at Dennis and Brewster nursing homes. I was Vice Chairman of the Dennisport Revitalization Committee, an Alternate on the Zoning Board of Appeals, a Den Mother and Cub Master of Pack #82, Boy Scouts of America, and for many years was Lower Cape Coordinator of the WGBH Auction. I am a member of Cape Organization for the Rights of the Disabled, an alternate on the Dennis Handicapped Affairs Advisory Committee, a member of the League of Women Voters – Cape Cod , and a former member and board member of the Mass. Association of Insurance Women.

I also serve as an elected member of the Dennis Republican Town Committee, and was as a delegate to the 2002 State Convention. I have been a member of the Barnstable County Republican Club for over fifteen years, and served on the Executive Board for five. I am a long time member of the Lower Cape Republican Women's Club, the Massachusetts Federation of Republican Women, and I am an active member of the WISH List (Women In the Senate and House) who have endorsed me during my run for the Legislature. In March of 2004, I was elected Republican State Committee Woman in the Cape & Islands District. I am also an active member of Citizens for Limited Taxation and the Friday Morning Group.

I realize I'm not a stereotypical cocktail party Republican, grousing about taxes and occasionally writing donation checks. I'm the daughter of a factory worker, and my mother and both of my grandmothers worked. Being active and available are what counts in politics, and I learned early from my hardworking immigrant family that productivity was the only way to get ahead, and it was the Republican Party that fostered and respected striving to better yourself. I have been a loyal Republican since I was 21.

What can I do to bridge that gap between Beacon Hill and Brewster? I can use the knowledge I have gained over the last few years, to help our candidates advocate for the needs of the elderly and funding for our schools. I served as Cape Cod Coordinator for the 'Yes on 4' referendum in 2000, which should have lowered our taxes to 5%. Cape Cod is fed up with high taxes and no services, and we need protection from the new tax initiatives which are sure to be coming after the election. I will fight new taxes tooth and nail, and I have learned how to be effective in the best school of all - the Legislature itself. I am able to study a 2,000 page budget document in a record time and spot where the waste has been tucked away. I have been, and will remain, committed to the election of Republican candidates, who will help Gov. Romney reform the old, bad Beacon Hill I know so well.

Copyright 2003-2007

Site design and hosting services provided by CyberAdept.com