About Ann-Margaret
- Childhood and education
Ann-Margaret was born to Joseph Ferrante, an Italian immigrant, and Frances Ferrante, a Gloucester native. She grew up and continues to live in downtown Gloucester.
Ann-Margaret attended Gloucester elementary schools. Her first political memory comes from third grade when the Gloucester School Committee proposed closing and consolidating the neighborhood elementary schools. At meetings hosted by her mother, Frances, Ann-Margaret watched, listened and learned the importance of community and the political process. Throughout her childhood, both of Ann-Margaret’s parents focused on the importance of a quality education and the opportunities and prospects that would become available as a result. These same values continue to significantly influence in her life and work.
Ann Margaret graduated with honors and as President of the Gloucester High School Class of 1990. Following graduation, Ann-Margaret attended Tufts University where she majored in Economics and International Relations and minored in Environmental Development and Spanish.
Becoming a Community Activist
During college, she worked in Admissions Office at Tufts University and interned in Congressman Joe Kennedy’s office, where she gained valuable political experience and learned a great deal about constituent services and advocacy.
In the fall of 1994, State Representative Bruce Tarr was elected to the Massachusetts State Senate and Ann-Margaret joined his staff on Beacon Hill. She was assigned to oversee environmental issues for Gloucester, Rockport, Essex and Manchester. After 18 months of working for Senator Tarr, Ann-Margaret enrolled at Suffolk University Law School , and in 1999, Ann-Margaret passed the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bar examination and began practicing law in 2000. For the past eight years, Ann-Margaret has practiced on Cape Ann managing her own law firm in Rockport and Gloucester. Her office, Kiely & Ferrante, currently employs six people and is located on the second floor of the Rockport National Bank building at the Head of the Harbor. - Serving her community Ann_Margaret serves on the following boards:
- Sawyer Free Library
- Cape Ann Commercial Fishermen’s Loan Fund
- Gloucester Housing Authority, Hearing Officer
- Holy Family Parish Capital Improvements Committee
- Northeast Seafood Coalition
- Cape Ann Savings Bank, Corporator
- SeniorCare Inc., past board member
- City of Gloucester Combined Sewer and Outflow Committee.
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Ann-Margaret is proud of her work on behalf of seniors and the disabled. In 2005, the Massachusetts Visiting Nurses Organization honored Ann-Margaret’s care and dedication to her disabled mother, Frances, with the Extra Mile Award.
