Some New Hampshire legislators are working on a bill that would help prenatal and postnatal mothers, who may be suffering from depression. It is SB 175. One of the sponsors is District 21 State Sen. Rebecca Perkins Kwoka, D-Portsmouth. And there are other bills aimed at helping mothers and families. Perkins Kwoka lives in Portsmouth, and represents the city and many outlying towns. We will also hear from two women who run Moms Rising, MacKenzie Nicholson, Senior Director, and Nancy Glynn, Campaign Director of Moms Rising.
Rebecca Perkins Kwoka
Rebecca Perkins Kwoka currently serves in the NH State Senate, after making history last year as the first openly LGBTQ woman elected to the legislative body. She previously served two terms on Portsmouth City Council and spent over a decade in affordable housing advocacy, resulting in successful, comprehensive zoning changes during her tenure as a City Councilor. As Senator, Perkins Kwoka has made supporting working families and small businesses her top priority. She led efforts to pass legislation that expands housing and rental assistance and provides COVID relief for independent live venues and newly-opened small businesses. Perkins Kwoka also pushed for bills to invest in offshore wind energy and mandate a sufficient space and break period for nursing mothers in the workplace.
In addition to her legislative work, Perkins Kwoka is also Senior Vice President and General Counsel at ReWild Renewables, a small solar company based in her home City of Portsmouth. She lives there with her wife, Katelyn, and their daughter, Logan.
MacKenzie Nicholson is the Senior Director for MomsRising in New Hampshire. During her time as a volunteer for MomsRising, she earned her master’s degree in Public Policy. In her spare time, she loves to read, exercise, and relax at the beach. She lives in Nottingham, New Hampshire with her husband and two children.
Nancy Glynn is the Campaign Director for MomsRising in New Hampshire. She is a mom, an activist, and also a veteran. She’s been advocating on behalf of New Hampshire families since 2016 and has a passion for disability justice, women’s rights and health care advocacy. In her free time, she loves to push herself to run farther than she’s ever run before – and has a goal of 750 miles in 2023. She lives in Sutton with 2 dogs, Karl the cat, her partner and their son.
Roger Wood is an award winning radio, podcast, newspaper and television journalist, with over 40 years of experience in the media. Roger has spent his entire professional career in New Hampshire. Roger currently serves as associate publisher and podcast producer at InDepthNH.org. In 2021 and 2022, he was recognized by the New Hampshire Press Association for his work in news podcasts. Prior to that he was honored for his work in broadcast radio news and public affairs. He has produced news and special feature reports for InDepthNH,
New Hampshire Public Radio, NPR, and other public and commercial radio stations. He also produced spot news for CBS Radio. He has produced and narrated some 50 audiobooks and has written three novels. Roger has also moderated political forums for Seacoast Area Chambers of Commerce in Senate, gubernatorial and congressional races. He has also facilitated public policy discussions locally and statewide. He has three adult children and four grandchildren. Roger and his wife Elaine, reside in Portsmouth with their cat Sebastian.
Roger Wood
Associate publisher
Podcast Producer
Indepthnh.org
603-502-0032