Legislature Recommends Great Barrington Native for Postal Honor

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Dr. May Edward Chinn
BOSTON  — The Legislature on Monday adopted a resolution recommending that Dr. May Edward Chinn, a native of Great Barrington, be honored by the U.S. Postal Service through its Black Heritage Stamp Series. 
 
The joint resolution of the state House and Senate recognizes the pioneering contributions of Chinn in the field of medicine in celebration of Black History Month. The resolution was jointly presented by state Sens. Paul Mark of Peru and Liz Miranda of Roxbury and state Rep. William "Smitty" Pignatelli of Lenox. 
 
Her biography posted on the National Institutes for Health page states Chinn was born in Great Barrington on April 15, 1895, to William Lafayette Chinn, a former enslaved person from the Cheyne Plantation in Virginia, and Lulu Ann Evans, a Native American from the Chickahominy Indian Reservation near Norfolk, Va., and was raised in New York City.
 
She overcame extraordinary poverty and racism to graduate with a bachelor of science degree from Teachers College at Columbia University and pursue a career in clinical pathology. Subsequently, she moved into medicine and became the first woman of African American and Algonquin descent to graduate from the New York University School of Medicine. 
 
Chinn pioneered many practices of modern medicine, by participating in early cancer screening trials and by being the first doctor for Harlem (N.Y.) Hospital to go on ambulance calls. She dedicated
her life to making the world fairer by treating the poor in her community all the way until her death at the
age of 84 on Dec. 1, 1980.
 
"Dr. May Edward Chinn of Great Barrington, is a name and story that more Americans need to know
about," said Mark. "Having her honored on a U.S. postage stamp is a fitting tribute to her contributions to advancing the frontiers of medicine and society and will help ensure that more Americans will be inspired by her life to also achieve to their full capability." 
 
Pignatelli said he wholeheartedly supported this joint effort, noting "there are many native sons and daughters who called these humble hills of Berkshires home but helped shape the arc of the entire country. It is important that we recognize individuals like Dr. Chinn who paved the way for equity, justice and progress in our commonwealth."

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Great Barrington Price Chopper Now Market 32

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

The new store features a larger pharmacy, wine and beer and more organic foods and produce. 
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — All three Price Choppers in the county have now been upgraded to Market 32s.
 
Regional and local employees cut the ribbon Friday morning on the final rebranded store, at 300 Stockbridge Road. The modern makeover of the 49,500 square-foot space will now provide the same shopping experience for all local customers.
 
It is the company's 51st rebrand into a Market 32 store.
 
"Throughout our stores in the Berkshires, we have introduced the Market 32 brand one store at a time. Pittsfield, Lenox, and we knew that this building was older and I think customers were probably a little disappointed that to go to Pittsfield and Lenox, you have the newest store that we offer, and this was sort of an older building," said Stephen Speelman, the grocer's zone director.
 
"It took a little work but we were able to finally bring this brand to the town of Great Barrington and now, we're consistent."
 
He said the Market 32 models appeal to the younger generation while not alienating the older generations. This location now has an expanded pharmacy, a beer and wine department, and an emphasis on organic food and produce.
 
"The biggest thing is, this is about the way we treat customers. We really want customers to feel that we really care about the fact that they shop here, that they chose us," Speelman said.
 
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