COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
MASSACHUSETTS SENATE
STATE HOUSE, BOSTON 02133
Senator Joan B. Lovely
State Senator
2nd Essex District
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 26, 2017
Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women Announces Unsung Heroines of 2017
(Boston) – On Wednesday June 21st, the Commonwealth honored over 100 women at the 2017 Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women’s Unsung Heroine Ceremony. Senator Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem) nominated City Council President Elaine Milo of Salem for this recognition because of her activism in local government and dedication to the city of Salem. Councilor Milo was honored alongside several women across the Second Essex District for their outstanding contributions and dedicated service to improving their local communities. The ceremony took place on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 from 1-4 p.m., in the Great Hall at the State House in Boston.
Councilor Milo is serving in her second term on the Salem City Council, currently as the President. Before serving on the City Council, Milo served on the Cemetery Commission for 16 years and was active in the Salem community. As Council President, Milo has focused on decreasing the financial burden on homeowners by working to stabilize property taxes while also supporting important investments in education, senior and veterans’ programming, and strategic improvements in to public infrastructure and property.
Other recipients of the Unsung Heroine Award include Salem resident RoseMary O’Connor, President of the Mack Park Neighborhood Association, Peabody resident Caroline “Lola” Busta, who is an active member of the Polish community and the former Saint Joseph’s Church in Peabody, and Danvers’ resident Carole Germano, who served her community as one of the first female officers on the Danvers Police Department. In addition to her service to the city of Danvers, Germano also served in the Army Reserve and in the Essex County District Attorney’s office.
The Unsung Heroines are women who don’t always make the news, but always make a difference. They are the women who use their time, talent and enthusiasm to enrich the lives of others and make a difference in their neighborhoods, cities and towns. They are mentors, volunteers and innovators who do what needs to be done without expectations of recognition or gratitude. These women are the glue that keeps a community together and every community is better because of their contribution.
“Congratulations to the 2017 Unsung Heroines from across the North Shore,” stated Senator Lovely. “Their extraordinary passion, talent and love for our communities makes the Commonwealth a better place to live. It is so important to recognize their contributions and I am deeply grateful to the Commission for championing this effort.”
The ceremony included a program emceed by MCSW Chair Margot Parrot, acknowledging each of the 2017 Unsung Heroines, along with remarks from Speaker of the House Bob DeLeo, Senate President Stan Rosenberg and Representative Colleen Garry, Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators. The ceremony was followed by a group photograph on the Grand Staircase and a Just Desserts reception.
A complete list of this year’s honorees is available by contacting the Commission at 617-626-6520 or mcsw@state.ma.us.
This event was made possible with the generous support of the following community sponsors: Harbor Sweets, Kerry Goodwin Photography, Jacqueline’s Gourmet Cookies, Market Basket, Polar Beverages, and Tropical Foods.
The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women is an independent state agency that was legislatively created in 1998 to advance women of the Commonwealth to full equality in all areas of life and to promote their rights and opportunities. The MCSW provides a permanent, effective voice for the women of Massachusetts.
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