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Each year the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) partners with state legislators to identify women who make outstanding contributions to their organizations and in their communities. Today, the MSCW is honored to announce the full list of awardees and their nominating legislators.
Elected officials are encouraged to submit one woman from their constituency as a means of recognizing their invaluable efforts and extraordinary acts of service, who are making a big difference in their communities but not necessarily making the news. This year, the Class of 2024 Commonwealth Heroines comprises more than 125 women from across the state, leaders in industry, business, nonprofit, advocacy, and more.
The MCSW will be celebrating the 21st Annual Commonwealth Heroines Class of 2024 on Friday, June 14, 2024 at the Massachusetts Statehouse in the Gardner Auditorium. Opening remarks will be made by MCSW Chairwoman Dr. Sarah Glenn-Smith, followed by a special recognition of all 125 honorees and the 2024 MCSW Scholarship award winners in celebration of our 25th anniversary.
The program book with bios of each Commonwealth Heroine will be available on our website for public viewing after the event concludes, or available by request from members of the media. For additional information regarding this event, please contact the MCSW at 617-626-6520 or email mcsw@mass.gov.
We are proud to announce the following women as this year’s Commonwealth Heroines Class of 2024 and look forward to honoring their incredible contributions to our state on June 14th 2024.
Congratulations to the Class of 2024 Commonwealth Heroines:
Barnstable County
Kerin Delaney, Falmouth
Nominated by: State Representative Dylan Fernandes
Kathy DeMeyer, South Dennis
Nominated by: State Representative Christopher Flanagan
Melissa Ferretti, Buzzards Bay
Nominated by: State Representative David Vieira
Katarina Kumbatiadis, Sandwich
Nominated by: State Representative Steven Xiarhos
Molly Sproul, Centerville
Nominated by: State Senator Julian Cyr
Antonia Stephens, Hyannis
Nominated by: State Representative Kip Diggs
Berkshire County
Darlene Rodowicz, Pittsfield
Nominated by: State Representative John Barrett III
Christine Ward, Great Barrington
Nominated by: State Representative William Smitty Pignatelli
Bristol County
Rebecca Collins, Fall River
Nominated by: State Representative Carole Fiola
Angela Dolan, Swansea
Co-nominated by: State Representative Steven Howitt, State Representative Pat Haddad & State Senator Michael Rodrigues
Ethel Garvin, Attleboro
Nominated by: State Senator Paul Feeney
Kathryn Nemkovich, Fall River
Nominated by: State Representative Alan Silvia
Michelle Rapoza, Westport
Nominated by: State Representative Paul Schmid III
Cathy Rutkowski, Dartmouth
Nominated by: State Senator Michael Rodrigues
Essex County
Edye Baker, Swampscott
Co-nominated by: State Representative Jenny Armini & State Senator Brendan Crighton
Deborah Bowker, Revere
Co-nomianted by: State Representative Donald Wong & State Representative Jessica Giannino
Yamily Byas, Salem
Nominated by: State Representative Manny Cruz
Terri Farrell, Lynnfield
Nominated by: State Representative Bradley Jones Jr.
Karen Ferullo, Methuen
Nominated by: State Representative Ryan Hamilton
Cheryl Forster-Cahill, Rowley
Nominated by: State Senator Bruce Tarr
Ann Haaser, Newburyport
Nominated by: State Representative Dawne Shand
Martha Holden, Peabody
Nominated by: State Representative Thomas Walsh
Brenda Mattos, Beverly
Nominated by: Jerry Parisella
Laritza Menjivar, Saugus
Co-nominated by: State Senator Patricia Jehlen & State Representative Christine Barber
Elizabeth Murphy, Boxford
Nominated by: State Representative Tram Nguyen
Doreen Murray, Lynn
Nominated by: State Representative Peter Capano
Linette Perez, Lawrence
Nominated by: State Representative Estela Reyes
Teasie Riley Goggin, Salem
Nominated by: State Senator Joan Lovely
Elsa Sánchez, Lawrence
Nominated by: State Representative Frank Moran
Christi Staples, Marblehead
Co-nominated by: State Senator Brendan Crighton & State Representative Jenny Armini
Karen Tibbetts, Gloucester
Nominated by: State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante
Christine Tron, Peabody
Nominated by: State Representative Sally Kerans
Nerissa Wallen, Rowley
Nominated by: State Representative Kristin Kassner
Kaitlin Wright, Haverhill
Nominated by: State Representative Andy Vargas
Franklin County
Pamela Adams, Greenfield
Co-nominated by: State Representative Natalie Blais & State Senator Jo Comerford
Hampden County
Jessica Avery, Chicopee
Nominated by: State Representative Shirley Arriaga
Amy Baxter, Longmeadow
Nominated by: State Representative Brian Ashe
Roseanne Caracciolo, Feeding Hills
Nominated by: State Senator John Velis
Christine Goonan, Wilbraham
Nominated by: State Representative Angelo Puppolo
Emurriel Holloway, Springfield
Nominated by: State Representative Bud Williams
Judith Matt, Springfield
Nominated by: State Representative Carlos Gonzalez
Laura Rooney, Ludlow
Nominated by: State Senator Jacob Oliveria
Pat Voisine, Springfield
Nominated by: State Representative Orlando Ramos
Rose Webster-Smith, Springfield
Nominated by: State Senator Adam Gomez
Hampshire County
Alisa Klein, Leeds
Nominated by: State Representative Lindsay Sabadosa
Henia Lewin, Amherst
Nominated by: State Representative Mindy Domb
Amanda Milazzo, Easthampton
Nominated by: State Representative Daniel Carey
Middlesex County
Debra Caplan, Framingham
Nominated by: State Representative Priscila Sousa
Jill Caporiccio, Watertown
Nominated by: State Representative Steven Owens
Sonia Conde, Somerville
Co-nominated by: State Representative Christine Barber & State Senator Patricia D. Jehlen
Kelley Cronin, Sudbury
Nominated by: State Senator James Eldridge
Ellen Duggan, Maynard
Nominated by: State Representative Kate Hogan
Deborah Fountain, Pepperell
Nominated by: State Representative Margaret Scarsdale
Marta Fuertes, Somerville
Nominated by: State Representative Erika Uyterhoeven
Carol Gloff, Natick
Nominated by: State Representative David Linsky
Ellie Goldberg, Newton
Nominated by: State Representative Kay Khan
Anna Jabar-Omoyeni, Lowell
Nominated by: State Representative Vanna Howard
Barbara Jandrue, Southborough
Nominated by: State Representative Kate Donoghue
LouAnn Jendro, Dracut
Nominated by: State Representative Colleen Garry
Janice Kahn, Chestnut Hill
Nominated by: State Representative Ruth B. Balser
Kate LeBlanc, Malden
Nominated by: State Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian
Julie Lewis, Burlington
Nominated by: State Representative Kenneth Gordon
Karen Lynch, Malden
Nominated by: State Representative Steven Ultrino
Demi Marsh, Chelmsford
Nominated by: State Senator Barry Finegold
Beth Marshdoyle, Weston
Nominated by: State Representative Alice Peisch
Bonnie Mitchell, Ashland
Nominated by: State Representative Jack Lewis
Justine Neely, Lexington
Nominated by: State Representative Michelle Ciccolo
Donna Newcomb, Chelmsford
Nominated by: State Representative Simon Cataldo
Marie O’Rourke, Billerica
Nominated by: State Representative Marc Lombardo
Rebecca Parkhill, Weston
Nominated by: State Senator Michael Barrett
Ellin Reisner, Somerville
Nominated by: Michael Connolly
Rachel Sagan, Sudbury
Nominated by: State Representative Carmine L. Gentile
Kate Sanetra-Butler, Hopkinton
Nominated by: Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka
Beatriz Sierra, Lowell
Nominated by: State Representative Rodney Elliot
Gabriella Snyder Stelmack, Malden
Nominated by: State Senator Jason Lewis
Beverly Woods, Westford
Nominated by: State Representative James Arciero
Julie Wu, Belmont
Nominated by: State Representative Dave Rogers
Erica Young, Waltham
Nominated by: State Representative Thomas Stanley
Norfolk County
Kerri Anne Berry, Randolph
Nominated by: State Representative William Driscoll Jr.
Daurice Cox, Weymouth
Nominated by: State Senator John Keenan
Kerry Farrell, Bellingham
Nominated by: State Representative Michael Soter
Lovern Gordon, Avon
Nominated by: State Senator Michael Brady
Janice Kahn, Chestnut Hill
Nominated by: State Representative Ruth B. Balser
Amy LaBrache, Foxborough
Nominated by: State Representative Fred Barrows
Rinaz Mala Mohammed, Needham
Nominated by: State Representative Denise Garlick
Louise Marcoux, Sharon
Nominated by: State Representative Ted Phillips
Maureen Mazrimas, North Quincy
Nominated by: State Representative Bruce Ayers
Sue McQuaid, Norwood
Nominated by: State Representative John Rogers
Marilyn Ray Smith, Brookline, Boston
Nominated by: Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Creem
Roberta Trahan, Franklin
Nominated by: State Representative Jeffrey Roy
Plymouth County
Kenzie Blackwell, Hingham
Nominated by: State Senator Patrick O’Connor
Sharon Crowley, Pembroke
Nominated by: State Representative Kathleen LaNatra
Natalya Davis, Norwell
Nominated by: State Representative Patrick Kearney
Tiffany Gambill, Bridgewater
Nominated by: State Senator Walter Timilty
Kim Greaves, Hull
Nominated by: State Representative Joan Meschino
Patricia Haigh, Plymouth
Nominated by: State Representative Matthew Muratore
Gail Kubek, Brockton
Nominated by: State Representative Michelle DuBois
Mary Price, Marshfield
Nominated by: State Representative Patrick Kearney
Maria T. Tavares, Brockton
Nominated by: State Representative Rita Mendes
Suffolk County
Helen Antenucci, East Boston
Nominated by: State Representative Adrian Madaro
Joyce Ferriabough-Bolling, Boston
Nominated by: State Senator Liz Miranda
Marilyn Forman, Dorchester
Nominated by: State Representative Christopher Worrell
Crystal Galvin, Charlestown
Nominated by: State Senator Sal DiDomenico
Ruth Georges-Innis, Boston
Nominated by: State Representative Brandy Fluker Oakley
Jane McHale, Allston, Brighton
Nominated by: State Senator William Brownsberger
Melsada Valarie Molyneaux, Hyde Park
Nominated by: State Representative Rob Consalvo
Margaret Riley, Winthrop
Nominated by: State Representative Jeffrey Rosario Turco
Mercy Robinson, South Boston
Nominated by: State Representative David Biele
Gretchen Van Ness, Hyde Park
Nominated by: U.S. State Senator Elizabeth Warren
Gladys Vega, Chelsea
Nominated by: State Representative Judith Garcia
Worcester County
Ellen Agro, Mendon
Nominated by: State Representative Brian Murray
Dr. Beatrice Cayo DD PhD, Leominster
Nominated by: State Representative Natalie Higgins
Amy Cowen, Northbridge
Nominated by: State Representative David Muradian
Rebecca Czernicki, Webster
Nominated by: State Senator Ryan Fattman
Miranda Jennings, Winchendon
Nominated by: State Representative Jonathan Zlotnik
Racquel Knight, Worcester
Nominated by: State Senator Robyn Kennedy
Cynthia Laine, Fitchburg
Nominated by: State Representative Michael Kushmerek
Malory O’Brien, Auburn
Nominated by: State Senator Michael Moore
Melanie Petrucci, Shrewsbury
Nominated by: State Representative Hannah Kane
Carmen Rosado, Worcester
Nominated by: State Representative David LeBoeuf
Wendy Wiiks, Leominister
Nominated by: State Senator John Cronin
Laura Wilson, Oxford
Nominated by: State Representative Joseph McKenna
Ayn Yeagle, Princeton
Nominated by: State Representative Kimberly Ferguson
