As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we honor the women whose leadership, vision, and persistence have shaped Boston Harbor into the vibrant public resource it is today. From advocates who fought to clean up one of the most polluted urban waterways in the country, to today’s leaders advancing climate resilience and equitable access, women have long been—and still are—at the forefront of this work.
Vivien Li is a leader who stands amongst this long legacy. If there were one word to describe her, it would be “indomitable”.
Li’s career builds on decades of advocacy that transformed Boston Harbor from a place marred by pollution and disuse after Boston’s economy shifted away from the military and industrial waterfront into one defined by possibility and public access. The Boston Harbor Association (TBHA), founded with support from the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, was itself rooted in this tradition of civic leadership. At a time when the harbor was heavily contaminated by untreated sewage and industrial waste, TBHA and its partners pushed for bold action: cleaner water, stronger environmental protections, and a waterfront that could be enjoyed by all.
When Li later became executive director and president of TBHA, she took it a step further and envisioned a continuous, publicly accessible Harborwalk trail stretching across the city that belonged to everyone. For nearly 25 years, she played a pivotal role in advocating for the successful completion of the multi-billion harbor transformation. At the same time, she helped shape, expand, and defend one of Boston’s most beloved public assets: the Boston Harborwalk, parcel by parcel.
Today’s 43-mile Harborwalk stands as a testament to the work of Vivien and other champions of public open space, including Lorraine Downey, Marianne Connolly, Julie Wormser, Jill Valdes among others. What began as an ambitious idea became a reality through persistence, collaboration, and a clear vision of equity and access. Li was instrumental in ensuring that development operated under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 91, so that public access was not only preserved but prioritized. She helped set the tone for what Boston’s waterfront could and should be: a place where private development and public benefit coexist, where access is not an afterthought but a requirement, and where every resident and visitor can experience the harbor up close.
Li has always emphasized that this transformation was a collective effort. From elected officials to planners, developers, and community advocates, she consistently highlights the collaboration that made the Harborwalk possible and the shared responsibility to protect it moving forward.
That sense of stewardship remains central to her vision. As she has often said, the true legacy of this work is not just what has been built, but what future generations will inherit: a clean harbor, a welcoming waterfront, and a commitment to care for both.
That legacy continues today through the work of Boston Harbor Now.
Formed in 2016 through the merger of The Boston Harbor Association and the Boston Harbor Islands Alliance, Boston Harbor Now carries forward the work that Li helped define: ensuring that the harbor and waterfront remain accessible, resilient, and inclusive. From expanding Harborwalk access across neighborhoods to advancing climate resilience and activating public spaces, the organization continues to build on the foundation she helped create.
At the same time, as Li herself has noted, there is still “unfinished business.” Gaps remain in the Harborwalk and ongoing work is needed to ensure that the waterfront serves all Bostonians equitably in the face of climate change and continued development.
Earlier this month, Li shared her insights and experiences during a donor “Lunch & Learn” event alongside Boston Harbor Now’s Senior Harborwalk Manager, Jason Rundle, where they offered both a reflection on decades of progress and a reminder of the work still ahead.
This Women’s History Month, we recognize Vivien Li not only for what she has accomplished, but for how she accomplished it: with vision, persistence, and an unwavering belief that Boston’s waterfront public spaces should be safe and welcoming to all.
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