Niki Tsongas (born Nicola Dickson on April 26, 1946) is an American politician and attorney who served as a U.S. Representative for Massachusetts from 2007 to 2019. A member of the Democratic Party, she represented Massachusetts's 5th congressional district from 2007 to 2013 and the 3rd district from 2013 to 2019, succeeding her late husband, Paul Tsongas, a former U.S. Senator and presidential candidate. Before entering politics, Tsongas worked in various roles including as a social worker for the New York City Department of Welfare, a paralegal, a high school teacher, and an adoption caseworker. She later practiced law after earning her Juris Doctorate and also served as a dean. After graduating from Smith College with a degree in religion in 1968, she briefly attended Boston University School of Law in 1971 but paused her studies to support her husband's political ambitions and raise their family, resuming and completing her legal education in 1988. Throughout her congressional tenure, Tsongas focused on issues such as education, women's rights, national security, and economic development in Massachusetts. In August 2017, she announced she would not seek re-election in 2018, retiring after three terms. Post-Congress, Tsongas has remained active in public life, leveraging her experience in law and politics. Her career reflects a blend of social work, legal practice, and legislative service, often emphasizing community welfare and progressive policies.