Healey makes history

BOSTON – Maura Healey, the first woman and first open member of the LGBTQ community to be elected governor of Massachusetts, was sworn into office at the Statehouse Thursday, pledging to lead "with empathy and with equity."

The ceremony also marks the first time that an all-women ticket will occupy the office. Kim Driscoll, who served as mayor of Salem, was elected lieutenant governor with Healey and was also sworn in on Thursday..

Healey, who served eight years as Massachusetts attorney general, ran virtually unopposed in the Democratic primary last year and easily defeated Republican candidate Geoff Diehl in the general election. She's only the second Democrat in the past three decades to be elected governor in Massachusetts.

During her speech, Healey also said she's committed to removing barriers people of color, people with disabilities, women and LGBT residents have faced for generations.