The Holliston woman who helped found the Greater Boston Tea Party and served as the group’s first president will step down next month following the recent election of Christine Morabito as the group’s new leader.
Holliston resident Christen Varley helped Morabito and others start the organization in 2009, but has moved to Ohio to be near family and work on a book about the Tea Party, she said yesterday.
“Christine and I are both founders, actually, of the organization,” Varley said.
In January Morabito, a nurse from Haverhill, will begin a two-year term as president and spokesperson for the non-profit volunteer policy advocacy group. She is also a committee chair within the Merrimack Valley Tea Party, according to a statement issued yesterday.
“When we articulate the principles of limited government, free speech, free markets, individual liberty and personal responsibility, we will naturally grow our numbers and have a positive effect on public policy,” Morabito said in the statement.
According to the press release, the Greater Boston Tea Party, which is not an official political party, has scheduled monthly meetings in the upcoming year, guest speakers and public rallies in an effort to sway voters and change public policy.
“Christine has been a dedicated activist within the movement and has exhibited outstanding leadership qualities,” Varley said.
The former president will become the organization’s secretary, and Patrick Humphries will continue as treasurer. The group’s steering committee also includes Austin Hess, Katherine Malone, Peter Laird and Ralph Zazula, the press release said.