Showing posts with label heroines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label heroines. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

2 of the Class of 2025 Heroines of Massachusetts recognized for their work at the Franklin Food Pantry

This year, the Class of 2025 Commonwealth Heroines comprises more than 125 women from across the state, leaders in industry, business, nonprofit, advocacy, and more. Read this year’s program book (link below) to learn more about their incredible stories from the legislators who nominated them.

The 22nd Annual Heroines of Massachusetts Celebration was held June 26, 2025 at the Mass State House

Yianna Zicherman, Milford
Yianna Zicherman
Yianna Zicherman
Yianna Zicherman, a Milford resident, works in the Franklin Food Pantry, and I ask that you nominate her for one of the 2025 Commonwealth Heroines awards. Yianna Zicherman manages the Pantry’s warehouse and a staff of volunteers. Yianna is not visible to the Pantry’s large coterie of clients, but more than 1,800 local families unknowingly benefit from all that she achieves for them. 
As a Pantry volunteer, Yianna’s strength in working through exhaustion and never seeking an opportunity to relax when knowing that her work is so valued by locals with food insecurities. I see her direct a volunteer staff and work together with them as they stack and organize food supplies so that the Pantry is well-prepared when the clients arrive. 
These clients include those with disabilities, the elderly on fixed incomes, some who are temporarily between jobs, and some who work but their salaries are insufficient to provide enough food for their families. Every item that is placed on shelves for the Pantry’s clients is placed there by Yianna and her volunteers. Yianna is an extraordinary woman who works hard to aid those with food insecurities. She places the needs of the less fortunate above all. - State Representative Brian Murray

Tina Taveres Powderly, Franklin
Tina Powderly
Tina Powderly

Tina Powderly is the Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry and led the efforts to build a new state-of-the-art facility. The new building provides a dignified and attractive space for customers to get what they need -- the food and the resources necessary for success. In 2024 alone, the Pantry reached 25,000 people and Tina’s tireless service has helped erase the stigma associated with food insecurity. Moreover, Tina has been instrumental in educating the community and raising awareness about hunger and how good food nourishes the body and powers a strong mind. 
Tina 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 – 2021, including two years as its Chair before joining the Pantry as Executive Director. She has also served on the Hockomock YMCA Board of Managers and as Vice Chair of the Franklin Town Council. Tina resides in Franklin with her husband. They have five children. - State Representative Jeffrey Roy
For the complete listing of the Class of 2025 Commonwealth Heroines ->    https://masscsw.org/2025/06/18/read-the-2025-commonwealth-heroines-program-book/

2 of the Class of 2025 Heroines of Massachusetts recognized for their work at the Franklin Food Pantry
2 of the Class of 2025 Heroines of Massachusetts
recognized for their work at the Franklin Food Pantry

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Tina Powderly Honored in MA Women's Commission, Commonwealth Heroine Class of 2025

Franklin resident Tina Powderly was recently elected to the 22nd Annual Massachusetts Women's Commission "Commonwealth Heroine Class of2025." Nominated by State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (Franklin-D), Ms. Powderly was honored alongside over 125 other distinguished women from around the Commonwealth at the State House in the Great Hall of Flags on June 26th, 2025.

Tina serves her community by working as the Executive Director of the Franklin Food Pantry. It is thanks to her that a new facility was built, leading to the feeding of over 25,000 people in 2024 alone. Tina holds experience in various fields, such as healthcare consulting, and hospital strategy, allowing her to receive leadership positions at AMN Healthcare, Milford Regional Medical Center, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. She holds a Bachelors Degree from Georgetown University and a Masters Degree in Health Policy Management from Harvard. Tina has served on the YMCA's Board of Managers, and as Vice Chair of the Franklin Town Council. Living with her husband and five children in the community, she has served the Town of Franklin with honor and distinction.

(L-R) T Powderly, J Roy
(L-R) T Powderly, J Roy
"I'm honored to nominate Tina Powderly as a 2025 Commonwealth Heroine," said State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy. "Her selfless work in the healthcare industry, service to her community, and her leadership at the Franklin Food Pantry cement her status as an upstanding pillar of the community and display a perfect representation of a Commonwealth Heroine."

"The Commonwealth Heroines are women who don't make the news, but make all the difference in their communities," said Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) Chairwoman Mary-dith Tuitt. 'Thousands of women in every community across the Commonwealth perform unheralded acts on a daily basis that make our homes, neighborhoods, cities, and towns better places to live. Commonwealth Heroines use their time, talent, spirit, and enthusiasm to enrich the lives of others in their community. They are mentors, volunteers, and innovators - they are the glue that keeps a community together."

Each year the Commission partners with state legislators to identify women who make outstanding contributions to their organizations and in their communities. Each legislator is 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.

Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Anne Bergen & Kaye Kelly selected for 20th Annual Commonwealth Heroines Class of 2023

Join us on June 23, 2023 to celebrate this year's incredible class of Commonwealth Heroines. 

Anne Bergen & Kaye Kelly selected for 20th Annual Commonwealth Heroines Class of 2023
Anne Bergen & Kaye Kelly selected for 20th Annual Commonwealth Heroines Class of 2023

Each year the Commission partners with state legislators to identify women who make outstanding contributions to their organizations and in their communities. Each legislator is 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.

The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) will be celebrating the 20th Annual Commonwealth Heroines Class of 2023 on Friday, June 23, 2023, at the Massachusetts Statehouse in the Great Hall of Flags. Opening remarks will be made by MCSW Chairwoman Dr. Sarah Glenn-Smith, followed by a special recognition of all 125 honorees.

“The Commonwealth Heroines are women who don’t make the news, but make all the difference in their communities,” said MCSW Chairwoman Dr. Sarah Glenn-Smith. “Thousands of women in every community across the Commonwealth perform unheralded acts on a daily basis that make our homes, neighborhoods, cities, and towns better places to live. Commonwealth Heroines use their time, talent, spirit, and enthusiasm to enrich the lives of others in their community. They are mentors, volunteers, and innovators - they are the glue that keeps a community together.”

We are proud to announce the following women as this year’s Commonwealth Heroines Class of 2023 and look forward to publicly recognizing them at our event on Friday, June 23nd, 2023: 
  • Anne Bergen of Franklin
  • Kaye Kelly of Franklin
If you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the MCSW at MCSW@mass.gov.


Monday, July 12, 2021

"Franklin teen honored as a Commonwealth Heroine"

"Speaking up, and making a difference. Franklin teen honored as a Commonwealth Heroine"
Not so long ago, Ndoumbe Ndoye would never have imagined herself getting up in front of a crowd to talk about issues of social justice and racism, and to share her own personal encounters.

Now she can't imagine NOT talking about these things — ever since she steeled herself to get up in front of a crowd on the Franklin town common last year as people rallied following the death of George Floyd.

There, she gave an emotional speech that brought tears to her own and others' eyes. And since then she has been actively working to promote racial understanding and justice.
Continue reading the article online (subscription maybe required)

The announcement of Ndoumbe's recognition

Franklin Senior Ndoumbe Ndoye is a determined and passionate youth activist. Photo used with permission from Ndoumbe Ndoye (Pantherbook image from Jason Beckett )
Franklin Senior Ndoumbe Ndoye is a determined and passionate youth activist. Photo used with permission from Ndoumbe Ndoye (Pantherbook image from Jason Beckett )

Sunday, April 26, 2009

"She gets the job done without fanfare"

Milford Daily News
Posted Apr 25, 2009 @ 11:35 PM

FRANKLIN —

Paula Mullen, a Franklin resident and vice chairwoman of the School Committee, was one of 100 women in the state named a 2009 Unsung Heroine by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women.

She will be recognized by the commission for outstanding contributions to her community in a ceremony on May 13 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the State House in Boston.

School Committee Chairman Jeffrey Roy nominated Mullen.

Roy thought she was "a perfect fit," especially because she hates the limelight, but deserves the recognition for all the volunteer work she does.

Read the full article in the Milford Daily News here.


Sunday, May 11, 2008

"To receive an award for something that you do every day and that you enjoy doing just doesn't make sense"

Deborah Pellegri, Franklin Town Clerk, was quoted in the Milford Daily News as part of the article on the state recognition for "unsung heroines":

"To receive an award for something that you do every day and that you enjoy doing just doesn't make sense,'' said Pellegri, who helped to raise money for the town's statue of Benjamin Franklin.
Pellegri, who also planned the town's yearly Fourth of July activities for years, said she is excited to go to the State House for the ceremony.
"My husband and I are going to hop on the train and we'll scoot into the State House for day,'' she said.

Read the full article in the Daily News here.