Berkshire Money Management Welcomes New Staff

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Berkshire Money Management welcomes two new staff members to its Great Barrington office: Operations Support Partner Katrina Fitzpatrick and Front Office Coordinator Lusha Martin.
 
As Operations Support Partner, Katrina Fitzpatrick's goal is to continuously make Berkshire Money Management and its processes more efficient. She works closely with Chief Operating Officer Natalie Wheeler to assess company needs and identify opportunities for improvement – and develop strategies for addressing both.
 
Katrina is a graduate of Westfield State University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in business management with a concentration in finance and a minor in economics. Prior to joining Berkshire Money Management, Katrina worked as a Branch Specialist at Greylock Federal Credit Union. A lifelong resident of Monterey, Massachusetts, she enjoys adventures with her dog, Dusty, and spending quality time with friends and family.
 
As Front Office Coordinator, Lusha Martin manages the daily needs of Berkshire Money Management's Great Barrington office, welcomes clients and guests, and manages the phone lines for the Dalton and Great Barrington offices.
 
Before arriving at Berkshire Money Management, Lusha owned and operated Bakin' Bakery in Sheffield. She also brings more than two decades of experience in office management to the team and is in the process of earning an associate degree in business careers at Berkshire Community College. Outside the office, Lusha enjoys reading, gardening, spending time at home in Sheffield with her family and dog, and raising funds for various non-profit organizations including the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Lusha is a member of the Board of Directors for Stanton Home in Great Barrington.

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Reps. Leigh Davis, Bud Williams Filing Legislation Honoring Freeman

SHEFFIELD, Mass. — State Reps. Leigh Davis of the 3rd Berkshire District and Bud L. Williams, of the 11th Hampden District, are filing legislation establishing Aug. 22 as Elizabeth Freeman Day of Equality, Healing, and Remembrance in the commonwealth.
 
The legislation would direct the governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the courageous contributions of Elizabeth Freeman, an enslaved Black woman known as Mum Bett, whose landmark freedom suit helped spark the legal end of slavery in Massachusetts.
 
"Elizabeth Freeman's story began here in the Berkshires, but its impact reached every corner of the commonwealth," said Davis. "More than two centuries later, her legacy continues to inspire us. Establishing Elizabeth Freeman Day will ensure that future generations learn not only about her extraordinary bravery, but also about the power of one person to change the course of history."
 
In 1781, Freeman, of Sheffield at the time, challenged the institution of slavery by filing suit against her enslaver, Col. John Ashley. In the landmark case Brom and Bett v. Ashley, a Berkshire County jury ruled in favor of Freeman and her fellow plaintiff, Brom, granting them their freedom. The case demonstrated the power of the Massachusetts Constitution's declaration that all people are born free and equal and helped pave the way for the Quock Walker decisions that ultimately ended slavery in the commonwealth. 
 
"Freeman's courage changed the course of history in Massachusetts," said Williams. "At a time when the odds were stacked against her, she stood up and demanded that the promises of liberty and equality contained in our Constitution apply to her as well. She risked everything to challenge an unjust system, and her victory helped lay the foundation for the end of slavery in our commonwealth. Her legacy deserves to be recognized and remembered by every resident of Massachusetts."
 
Although unable to read or write, Freeman understood the meaning of freedom and equality and took extraordinary action to secure those rights for herself and others. Her story remains one of the most powerful examples of individual courage in the face of injustice. 
 
Elizabeth Freeman Day will provide an opportunity for reflection, education, healing, and remembrance, said Williams. 
 
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