Dr. Marianela Rivera

Marianela is a pediatric physical therapist and social justice advocate who has dedicated her career to providing culturally competent care in her hometown. Her experiences in healthcare and special education revealed systemic issues that were impacting her patients, students, and clients. The most alarming of her experiences was witnessing the state of education in the Lawrence Public Schools under receivership. Determined to make the changes her students desperately needed, Marianela ran and won a last-minute sticker campaign for the Lawrence School Committee. She was elected Vice Chair during her second term and dedicated her public service to providing civic education, empowering her community members, and fighting for education justice.

Marianela’s grassroots efforts helped organize parents, teachers, students, activists, and concerned citizens to save public education during the “No on 2” campaign and the Fund Our Future campaign that led to the passing of the Student Opportunity Act. She is currently working in special education and remains dedicated to equity work as she shifts her focus towards running for state representative. She aspires to serve the communities of Lawrence, Andover, and Methuen by collaboratively creating solutions that improve the quality of our lives. With her knowledge and experience, Marianela desires to unify experts in all areas, especially in the healthcare and education fields, to guide policies that positively impact our communities. She hopes to bring her expertise and much needed perspective to the State House.