The Newton Tab reports on Holly Ryan, a “transgender woman” who was born a man, and her appointment as the first openly transgendered woman to Newton’s nine-member Human Rights Commission. Mayor Setti Warren appointed her back in January, with the Board of Aldermen unanimously approving her appointment in February.

According to the article, the commission “works to ensure that everyone regardless of race, sex, color, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin or ancestry has equal access to employment, housing, education and public accommodations.”

With the so-called “transgender rights” bill going into effect in July, Holly Ryan says that it is even more important for her to be a part of the committee. “We’ll be ready in Newton,” she said about the bill going into law in July. “Now, I have a chance to educate everyone in Newton.”

Source: Newton Tab