Tram T. Nguyen is a trailblazing legislator, dedicated advocate, and proud first-generation Vietnamese American immigrant who made history as the first Vietnamese American woman elected to public office in Massachusetts. The first in her family to graduate from college, Tram’s journey—from immigrant roots to state leadership—is a powerful testament to resilience, education, and the drive to uplift others. 

 

Tram holds a Bachelor’s degree from Tufts University, a Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law, and a Master’s in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School. Before entering public office, she served marginalized communities as a legal aid attorney at Greater Boston Legal Services, where she fought on behalf of domestic violence survivors, low-wage workers, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. Her work focused on transforming laws and policies that impact the most vulnerable, building coalitions to drive systemic change in racial and economic justice.

 

Now serving as Chair of the Joint Committee on Housing and the Special Joint Committee on Climate Action and Sustainability, Tram is the highest-ranking Asian American woman in the Massachusetts Legislature. She has earned a statewide reputation as a bold, compassionate, and effective leader who brings deep policy knowledge and lived experience to the table.

 

Her legislative priorities reflect her unwavering commitment to gender equity, racial and social justice, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and community empowerment. Tram is driven by a core belief: that every person—regardless of background—deserves the chance to thrive.

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Committees:

• Chair, Climate Action and Sustainability

• Joint Committee on Financial Services

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Awards:​

• Women's Bar Association, Public Official of the Year (2025)

• Helping Abuse Working for Change Dale Orlando Award (2024)

• AAWPI (Asian-American Women’s Political Initiative) Gamechanger Award (2024)

• Emerge Woman of the Year Award (2024)

• Harvard Kennedy School Holly Taylor Sargent Award for Women’s Advancement (2024)

• Women's Bar Association of Massachusetts Emerging Women Leaders in the Law (2023)

• MOVA (Mass. Office of Victim Assistance) Legislator of the Year (2022)

• YWCA 39th Annual Tribute to Women Honoree (2022)

• EMILY'S List Gabby Giffords Rising Star Finalist (2021)

• NewDEAL Leader (2021)

• Provider's Council Caring Bear Award (2021)

• Council of State Government 20 under 40 Award (2020)

• YDMA Young Democratic Elected of the Year Award (2020)

• Freedom North Shore Women's Empowerment Award (2019)

• Asian American Women Political Initiative Legislator of the Year Award (2019)

• Women’s Empowerment Award (2019)

 

Career as Legal Services Attorney, Greater Boston Legal Services:

• Represented domestic violence survivors, workers, seniors, veterans, and children. 

• Engaged in legislative advocacy and worked with statewide coalitions, lawmakers, and lawmaking bodies to push for laws that address issues of racial and economic justice and protect the rights of the most vulnerable populations.

• Lawrence Bar Association Merit Award

• Vietnamese American Bar Association Public Service Award

• Reginald Heber Smith Award for innovation and excellence in legal advocacy

• UAW Social Justice Award