Rita Dixon recognized for service to legal aid

MLAC Celebrates Advocate and GBLS Board Member Rita Dixon

Friends, family, and colleagues gathered in West Roxbury July 28 to celebrate the 90th birthday of Rita Dixon, a member of the board of directors of Greater Boston Legal Services and a longtime community advocate.

Rita Dixon

Rita Dixon, center, is honored by Pat Swansey, right, and GBLS board member Catherine Harris.

In recognition of her work and years of service, Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation Program Director Pat Swansey presented Dixon with a certificate thanking her for “her tireless pursuit of justice for low-income people.”

Dixon has served on the GBLS board since 2002. Speakers noted that, as a board member who had been eligible to receive civil legal aid, Dixon had a vital perspective that helped guide the organization’s work and ensure that the needs of legal aid clients were understood.

Dixon worked as nurse in the late 1960s and early 1970s before going back to school to become a social worker. She later served as a mediator in Dorchester Municipal Court. Still advocating at age 90, Dixon remains involved in many organizations and advisory boards to assist people in the community.

“We can say that MLAC honors her with this recognition, but really it was an honor for me,” said Swansey. “She is an inspiring advocate.”