Doris moved to Windham on Independence Day, 1970. Doris spent 20 years working for the Windham School District driving students to and from school, games, and outings as a bus driver. She also worked in the high school library as a tech before retiring. In addition to making sure Windham’s kids got home safely, Doris raised four children, continues to care for her one disabled child at home, supported her late husband while he served as a proud postal worker for over 30 years, and advocates for working families as a member of various labor unions and auxiliary groups. She works with area food pantries, has worked with the Wounded Warrior Program, advocates for disabled access and rights, and spends her free time chasing down legislators in Augusta and DC to make sure they hear from Maine families.
“My interest in politics started when I was very young–my mom and dad were part of the group that did a Bean supper to launch Ed Muskie’s campaign for Governor. Since then I’ve watched working families have to work harder and harder to stay afloat. My husband and I raised four kids here in Windham and now I wonder how my grandkids will get by. Augusta needs to do more to support Windham families, from fully funding the state’s share of our school budgets, to sending back more money to the municipalities to keep our property taxes in check. We have to do better.”
“I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Doris advocating for working families for many years now. Her dedication to Mainers has helped move the needle on healthcare, wages, housing, and many other issues that have an impact on our everyday lives,” Pingree said. “The deep understanding of the needs of working families that Doris has makes her uniquely situated to work for Windham in Augusta. Her ability to listen and take action on behalf of others will make her an excellent State Rep.”
"We can think of no one more deserving of the vote of a labor organization. You have tirelessly stood so many picket lines that we believe it may well be a record for this or any State Federation! As a labor organization, we have pledged to support those who have walked-the-walk and talked-the-talk. You are a supreme example of that and deserve the support of the entire State of Maine workers and their Labor organizations and those non-union workers who have no clue how much your efforts have helped them as well."
"Doris Poland has been a union activist for nearly 50 years with the American Postal Workers Union, the Maine AFL-CIO and the Southern Maine Labor Council (where she currently serves as Vice President). She has spent decades standing shoulder-to-shoulder with members of many Maine labor unions. Often joined by her late husband Wayne, Sister Poland has walked on countless picket lines in solidarity with unions who were on strike or waging difficult contract campaigns. She has always supported us and never asked for anything in return, but she needs our help now in her first campaign for public office.
Running for a seat in the Maine House of Representatives from Windham, Doris is trying to unseat Barbara Bagshaw, a virulently anti-union candidate with a 0% Labor Voting Record, one of the worst in the Maine Legislature (according to the Maine AFL-CIO)."
