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Biography
Kay Khan, State Representative for the 11th Middlesex District (Newton) was first elected in 1995 and is currently serving her ninth term in the House of Representatives. Kay is the Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities, to which she was appointed in the previous legislative session. She is the longest-serving state legislator from Newton currently in office. Throughout her career in the legislature, she has been a leading voice for affordable and compassionate health care, mental health, public education, affordable housing, ending homelessness, housing and human services. She strongly promotes better transportation and a healthier environment. Kay has been a constant supporter for the disabled community throughout the years and is the recipient of many awards for her work and support of the needs of our most vulnerable citizens. She has also been the legislature’s leading advocate for progressive policies for incarcerated individuals, including women.
Personal Background
Born in Iowa, Kay moved to Massachusetts when she was three. Throughout her public life, Kay has been inspired by the memory of her father, Stefan Kraus, who left Nazi Germany in 1937 to begin a new life in America. Her father developed a deep love for his adopted country and a passion for democracy, equal rights and social justice. Kay has lived in Newton Lower Falls for 40 years with her husband Nasir Khan, MD. They have three married children: Tira, Zafar and Alexander, who attended Newton public schools. Two of their children and their spouses live in Newton, along with grandchildren: Sasha, Alana, Viveca, Chace, and Ava Grace. Her third child lives in Los Angeles, CA with his spouse and two youngest grandchildren, Ginger and Jett. Community Organizations Kay is an advocate for the arts and is a founding member of the Newton Cultural Alliance (NCA). The Newton Cultural Alliance is the voice of arts and culture in Newton with the goal of bringing culture and community together. Kay also serves in many other community organizations. She is on an advisory board to the Newton Community Services Center. Kay is a member of the Newton Bicycle-Pedestrian Taskforce; board member of the West Suburban YMCA, board member of Newton’s New Philharmonia Orchestra; honorary board member of the Newton Boys and Girls Club, and advisory board member of the Newton-Tanzania Collaborative, and recently she was invited to join the Health Administration Advisory Committee at Regis College. Kay has been an active member of the Newton Democratic City Committee for over twenty years. She is a member of the League of Women Voters and a State Director for the Women Legislators' Lobby of Will/Wand, a national organization of women advocating to reduce the national military budget. She is a member of the advisory board to Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action (JALSA).
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