To the Editor:

I was grateful to serve you as District 64 representative for eight years, and one of the many highlights of those years was working with Eloise Vitelli. Eloise is now running for the Senate seat recently vacated by Seth Goodall, and I enthusiastically urge you to vote for her on Tuesday, Aug. 27.

Eloise’s dedication to helping women and their families as they deal with the challenges of economic development in Maine is evident in all that she has accomplished working for Women, Work and Community for 33 years.

There is yet another way Eloise is directly involved with public policy that helps Maine girls and women. In 2009, she worked closely with me to create the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women. This commission’s work is to advise the governor and the Legislature on any bills that affect girls and women — from laws that improve educational and economic opportunities to laws that deal with domestic violence, health care and education.

Eloise is now chairwoman of the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women.

Her communication skills, her ability to compromise, her knowledge of Maine and Augusta all add up to a woman who will put the needs of you, the voter, first. Please, vote for Eloise Vitelli on Aug. 27.

Leila J. Percy
Phippsburg