News  Service and Commitment: Celebrating MPS’ Longest Tenured Female Employees

Wareham District Court Chief Probation Officer Linda Almeida, hired in 1984; East Boston Assistant Chief Probation Officer Bernice Murray, 1977; East Boston Probation Officer Manager Gloria Maniscalco, 1974; and Cynthia Russell, Malden District Probation Officer, 1985, all have been identified as the longest tenured female employees. Together, they have 172 years of work experience at MPS. This year’s national Women’s History Month theme is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.”

Chief Almeida’s first job at MPS was as a Juvenile Court Probation Officer at Bristol Juvenile Court, a position she held for 10 years, until she was hired as a Plymouth County District Court Probation Officer. She was later appointed an ACPO and then in 2018, a CPO at Wareham District Court. 

ACPO Murray, who has spent her career at East Boston District, started as a CETA (Comprehensive Employment Training Act) worker and was later hired as a judicial secretary and administrative assistant. She said she took advantage of the Trial Court’s tuition remission program and advanced to the position of Probation Officer and then ACPO. During her career, Ms. Murray said she has been inspired by several woman. However, she said the woman who inspires her the most is former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. “I have always admired Eleanor Roosevelt. She was so bright and ambitious. She cared deeply about people and helping them.”

She added, “I believe that working in probation, we endeavor to make our communities and world a better and safer place. While doing that, we are usually helping an offender to become his/her best self. It is very satisfying to do this work day to day, year after year. I never tire of it. Each day is a new adventure. I have enjoyed this work for many, many years and hopefully will continue for a few more.”

Ms. Maniscalco, began as a clerk stenographer. “Nothing was automated and all work was done manually. To obtain a defendant’s record, one had to phone the Office of the Commissioner of Probation and write up the record they would recite to you,” she recalled. “Everyday, I thank technology and MassCourts for the blessing they are. It’s amazing to look back and see how incredible it is now—compared to then. I find working in Probation to be unique. It’s interesting working so closely with law enforcement, attorneys, judges, fellow employees and the defendants."

The longest tenured Probation Officer, Ms. Russell, has worked at the Malden District Court for 38 years, where she first joined MPS. She has also served as an ADA (American with Disabilities Act) Coordinator during her career. Ms. Russell said she has always enjoyed helping people and takes a “glass half full” and “open door” approach when interacting with probationers.

“I never give up on people and I keep an open door even if it is outside of business hours,” Ms. Russell said. “It’s important for them (probationers) to hear something positive and not negative-especially when they are going through different stages of life.”