Melanie Levesque became the first African-American state senator in New Hampshire when she won her election in 2018.
She hadn’t paid the milestone much mind, and she still doesn’t. But when her ‘first’ was announced to a convention of lawmakers in Representatives Hall at the State House, the applause was striking.
“I will never forget that sound,” Levesque said. “It’s really an honor. And I don’t focus on the fact that I’m the first Black person, but at times, when you think about it, it is quite an honor.”
Levesque will face a comparable crowd on Monday, when she will be presented with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award at the 44th annual Community Celebration in Manchester.
Given to New Hampshire residents by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Coalition, which organizes the event, the award celebrates one community member each year who “carries on work for social justice in the spirit” of King.
“It makes you feel good,” said Levesque, who lives in Brookline. “Out here working really hard, and you don’t think about the accolades, you know, so it’s nice to be recognized for that.”
First a Democratic state representative, then a senator, Levesque served towns from Rindge to Nashua and said she’s proud of her work on public education, marriage equality and abolishing the death penalty. She also sponsored and passed legislation that launched New Hampshire’s statewide emergency alert system, enabling state officials to communicate quickly with the public during emergencies.
Maxine Mosley, who chairs the coalition, said Levesque has also served as a mentor to younger legislators.
“She really epitomizes Dr. King’s work about collaboration, reaching across differences, lifting up our young people to engage them, being a voice — not just on some issues but being a consistent voice for her constituents and her community,” Mosley said. “We are honored to honor her.”
After eight years in the Legislature, Levesque continues her work as an organizer with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and serves as both her town chair and leader of the African-American caucus for the state’s Democratic Party. She also stays involved in electoral politics, having campaigned for the Executive Council and Secretary of State in recent years.
In the days leading up to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Levesque said she thought about how far the U.S. has come since the days of redlining, when her parents’ realtor wouldn’t sell them a Nashua home, and since the days when women weren’t allowed to vote.
For Levesque, the holiday is about celebrating progress made and remembering King as a role model.
“It’s really a day of reflection and gratefulness, gratitude, that he was there to be a leader, and he was such a wise leader and someone who really cared about community for all people,” Levesque said. “In his peaceful protests, he shows us that we can voice our concerns in a peaceful way, and that we can be concerned about all our brothers and sisters regardless of what political party they are, or what color they are, religion or gender. It’s really about everyone. It’s about community.”
Despite New Hampshire’s strides — from becoming the last state to recognize Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in 1999 to now hosting celebrations statewide and a strong network of activists — Levesque feels the Granite State is backsliding.
The Republican-led Legislature is on the cusp of reviving the death penalty that Levesque worked to abolish. Some lawmakers also look to rid New Hampshire of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives that Levesque feels are meant to foster understanding and acceptance.
It feels like the world is slipping toward division, Levesque said, with people getting caught up in race, gender and political views rather than seeing the world as one large community.
The antidote, Levesque said, is for people to be engaged in their democracy.
“The democracy that we have and that we love so much only works when people are engaged,” Levesque said. “I want people to understand the power of their vote, and that’s where we get our power from. Just living together, being tolerant of each other, that’s what I want to see in the future.”
Levesque will be honored at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Community Celebration on Monday, Jan. 19. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Memorial High School in Manchester and will include music, food and a panel discussion on “uplifting resistance through community.”
More events honoring King’s memory are planned across the state.