Liberal Democrat Ellen Story was elected to the state House of Representatives in 1991, representing Massachusetts 3rd Hampshire District, consisting of Amherst and Granby.
Under the long rule of former House Speaker Tom Finneran, whose election as Speaker she opposed, Story was frequently marginalized, viewed as part of what Finneran saw as the "loony left." Locally, Story is respected for her unwavering commitment to progressive issues and to transparency in government.
Before she served in the statehouse, Ellen Story was a community activist and the associate executive director of the Family Planning Council of Western Massachusetts (now Tapestry Health Systems). Story was raised in Texas, and is a graduate of the University of Texas. She has a master's degree from Cambridge College.
Story moved to Massachusetts in 1970 and to Amherst in 1972. She became involved in local issues, serving three years on the Regional School Committee as well as six years as a town meeting member.
