Konstantina Lukes

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Konstantina Bequary Lukes, known as Konnie Lukes, was born on October 13, 1941, in Waterbury, Connecticut. The daughter of Albanian immigrants, she helped in her parents’ restaurant while growing up and paid her way through college and law school at Simmons College and the University of Connecticut. She became a practicing attorney in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Lukes spent decades in Worcester public life. She served on the Worcester School Committee for four terms, including time as vice chair, and was elected as a Councilor-at-Large in 1990, a position she held through 2020. She also served as vice chair of the City Council. She ran for mayor several times before winning in 2007. After taking office, she became Worcester’s first popularly elected female mayor in January 2008 and served until January 2010.

In addition to her city roles, Lukes announced in 2019 that she would not seek another term on the Worcester City Council. She has continued to practice law, running a Worcester office that focuses on family law, divorce, probate, and real estate.

Konstantina Lukes was married to Dr. James J. Lukes, who died in 2020. They had one son, Peter Lukes, who serves as the Town Manager of Holden, Massachusetts.