Evelyn Murphy

Evelyn Murphy (born May 14, 1940) is an American businesswoman and politician who was the 67th lieutenant governor of Massachusetts from 1987 to 1991, being the first woman in the history of the state to hold a constitutional office.

Early life and education Murphy was born in 1940 in Ancón, Panama, to American citizens. Her father was stationed with the army in the Panama Canal Zone, where her mother joined him in 1939. At the age of six weeks, Murphy was brought to her grandmother's home in Massachusetts. She continued to hold dual U.S.-Panamanian citizenship until the age of 19, when she took the oath of U.S. citizenship in Washington, D.C.

Murphy earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Duke University, a master's degree in economics from Columbia University, and a doctorate in economics from Duke University. In September 1979 President Jimmy Carter named her to the chairmanship of the National Advisory Committee on Oceans and Atmosphere. In 1982 Murphy sought the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor, losing to John Kerry. In 1983 she was appointed Secretary of Economic Affairs, a position she held until 1985. winning by 374,714 votes (60.10%) to 248,671 votes (39.89%) for D'Amico. In the general election, the Dukakis-Murphy team garnered 1,157,786 votes (65.15%) versus 525,364 votes (34,85%) for George Kariotis and Nicholas Nikitas.

During her tenure as Lieutenant Governor, Murphy had little communication with Governor Dukakis. She described their relationship by stating "there is no good will here and certainly no mutual respect". Dukakis did not invite Murphy to key meetings and did not tell her when he was out of state campaigning for President of the United States.

Murphy's campaign appeared to be badly hurt by the public perception that she was close to the unpopular Dukakis and therefore tried to make a break with the Dukakis Administration. Bellotti would lose the nomination to Silber 53% to 44%.

Corporate career In 1990 Murphy entered the corporate world. She became managing director of the law firm Brown, Rudnick, Freed & Gesmer, and corporate director of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Shawmut National Banks, Fleet National Bank, Fleet Mortgage Company, and Fleet Credit Card Corporation. Blue Cross recruited her to the position of executive vice president in charge of federal and stage media and civic relations. During the latter job, she founded Blue Cross' HealthCare Policy Institute.

She has been awarded 11 honorary degrees and over 100 national, state, and local awards. was the product of a research effort lasting eight years. She has testified before U.S. Senate and House committee hearings on pay discrimination against women.