Franklin and Medway Women Earn Heroine Status

A Franklin and a Medway woman have each been named to the “Class of 2025 Commonwealth Heroines.” 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. Thursday, the MSCW announce the full list of the Class of 2025 Commonwealth Heroines and their nominating legislators.

Locally, Franklin’s Tina Powderly was nominated by State Rep. Jeff Roy while Medway’s Carol Collord was nominated by Senate President Karen Spilka.

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 2025 Commonwealth Heroines comprises125 women from across the state, leaders in industry, business, nonprofit, advocacy, and more.

The MCSW will be officially celebrating the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Heroines Class of 2025 on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at the Massachusetts Statehouse in the Gardner Auditorium. Opening remarks will be made by MCSW Chairwoman Mary-dith Tuitt, followed by a special recognition of all honorees.

Tina Powderly

Powderly serves as executive director of the Franklin Food Pantry. According to the organization web site, the Pantryoffers free supplemental food assistance and household necessities to individuals and families. The Pantry’s roots go back to a joint effort by the Franklin Interfaith Council in 1990 and has grown steadily ever since with programs like the Mobile Food Pantry and initiatives like the Empty Bowls Club. The Pantry moved to a new and larger location on West Central Street in 2023.

Powderly has 20 years of experience working in a variety of areas in the healthcare industry, including healthcare consulting, community benefits, and hospital business development and strategy. Tina previously was an Executive Recruiter for AMN Healthcare in its executive and leadership division. Tina also has directed the activities of the CEO’s office at Milford Regional Medical Center and worked as an independent consultant in business development at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, helping develop major expansion projects both in outlying communities and in Boston. Tina earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Georgetown University and an M.S. in Health Policy Management from the Harvard School of Public Health. She served on the Franklin Food Pantry’s Board of Directors from 2017 to 2021, including two years as its Chair before joining The Pantry as Executive Director. She serves on the Board of the MetroWest Nonprofit Network, the Council on Aging for the Town of Franklin, and on the Board of Incorporators for UMass Memorial Health Milford Regional.

Carol Collord

Collord serves as President of the Medway Community Farm (MCF). According to the organization web site, MCF was founded through grassroots efforts in 2009 with the goal of stewarding land for agricultural and educational purposes. With the support of community, volunteers, board, and staff, the Farm now occupies 18 acres of growing fields, conservation land, walking trails, and wooded areas.

Through sustainable and organic growing practices, MCF fields yield fresh vegetables, herbs, and flowers that the organization provides to Members through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model as well as to retail customers online, in the Farm Store, and at local Farmers Markets. MCF says it is also committed to building food access in our area by participating in SNAP & HIP programs, and by donating a portion of their produce to the food pantries at Medway Village Church and Mahan Circle, as well as Medway House Family Shelter.

Collord has been involved with the Farm since 2014 and in that time has participated in various capacities. She served three years as Treasurer, volunteered with the 4th grade Farm Gardening Program, led workshops as a Master Gardener, and most recently was elected President of the Farm's Board of Directors. Carol is currently retired and brings her experience as a senior leader in health care and local business owner to the Farm.