Each year the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women and state legislators work together to recognize women from their constituency who have made a positive contribution to their community.
In 2022, the organization recognized 121 women from across the commonwealth at a reception held in their honor at The Venezia in Boston on June 22 and the guest speaker there was Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito.
“We are thrilled to recognize women from all across our great commonwealth who sometimes are not seen for their amazing contributions,” MCSW Chairwoman Denella Clark said.
Among those honored as 2022 Commonwealth Heroines are Adriana Paz and Michelle Guzman of Lynn, Kim Hanton and Joanne McKenna of Revere, Carmela Dalton of Lynnfield, and Carolyn Wynn of Peabody.
Adriana Paz is an activist and community organizer from Lynn. She is a founder of Mutual Aid Lynn, a service organization that aims to meet community needs, Prevent the Cycle, a racial justice advocacy and policy reform group, and North Shore Women of Color.
In addition, she serves as vice president of the North Shore Juneteenth Association and co-chair of Lynn Racial Justice Coalition, a group of activist organizations in and around Lynn. As co-chair, Paz successfully advocated to acquire funding for a crisis-response team for Lynn.
She was nominated for the award by Sen. Brendan Crighton, who praised Paz’s work with a variety of organizations in the city.
“Adriana has a record of creating real change, including her work around ALERT, the Lynn Racial Justice Coalition, and the North Shore Juneteenth Association. She is the true definition of a community leader and is so deserving of this recognition.”
Michelle Guzman is being honored for her work in bilingual community organizing. As coordinator of the Lynn Community Enrichment Program (LCEP), she has brought various groups and organizations together to offer enrichment programming.
By working with Lynn Public Schools and the New Lynn Coalition, Guzman has been able to offer classes in conversational Spanish, bilingual computer classes, public speaking, and even cake decorating.
Additionally, Guzman has offered walking tours of Lynn to educate people about the city’s past and to help them embrace its culture.
Kim Hanton has been an integral member of Revere’s addiction recovery community. For 34 years, she served as the director of Addiction Services at the North Suffolk Mental Health Association (NSMHA). In this position, she increased the number of services and programs offered.
Hanton was also involved in the STEPRox Recovery Support Center in Roxbury and Recovery on the Harbor in Revere. The Hanton Recovery House in Chelsea was named in her honor.
While working at NSMHA, Hanton also worked as the City of Revere’s chief of Health and Human Services and as the city COVID-19 Response Team leader. According to the Commonwealth Heroines program, “without Kim’s guidance and leadership, the Revere Emergency Response Team would not exist.” She now works as the chief of staff in the mayor’s office.
Rep. Jennifer A. Giannino, who nominated Hanton said, “Kim Hanton is a shining example of an unsung heroine who works tirelessly to make the city of Revere a better place for all to live, work, and visit. I was proud to nominate Kim because … she goes far above and beyond what is expected and truly cares about her community and its people.”
Also from Revere, Joanne McKenna was nominated by Rep. Jeffrey Rosario Turco. McKenna spent three decades as a Revere Public School teacher, where she founded Revere High School’s first clothing bank.
Not only has she shared her passion for the arts with her students but also with the city of Revere as a whole. Last year, the mayor of Revere selected her to serve as chairwoman on the new Public Arts Commission. In this position, she works to transform the city into a vibrant and lively art community.
Carmela Dalton and her husband, Select Board member Richard Dalton, launched the Think of Michael Foundation after losing their son Michael to an overdose in 2018. She said the award is a testament to the foundation.
“I am humbled and honored to receive this award, but really, this is about the hard work my family and the board has put in every day since the foundation was created,” Carmela Dalton said. “We have worked so hard to eliminate the stigma that people have when it comes to substance abuse and to help people stay in recovery and get back into the workforce in some cases. People have no idea how pervasive this is. It’s everywhere. Recently at church, the first three rows had families who lost people to this disease, so as much as I am honored to be recognized, it speaks to what we are doing to help people who need it.”
House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading), who nominated Dalton for the award commended her for her work in the Lynnfield community.
“No parent should ever experience the loss of a child, but Carmela and her husband have channeled their personal grief into an opportunity to honor Michael’s memory by providing hope and inspiration to others who are struggling with substance use, as well as their loved ones,” said Jones.
“Carmela’s commitment to this cause is truly commendable, and her work with the Think of Michael Foundation has had a profound impact on so many people’s lives. Her involvement in the community, her selflessness and her benevolence all exemplify the kind of Commonwealth Heroine that the MCSW seeks to recognize.”
Carolyn Wynn, the executive director of Peabody’s Council on Aging, was nominated for the Unsung Heroine Award by state Rep. Thomas P. Walsh (D-Peabody) in recognition of her outstanding care, compassion, and service to seniors in Peabody and across the North Shore.
“Today was an opportunity to thank Carolyn for her hard work, dedication, and commitment to our community. Every day, Carolyn and her team have a tremendous, positive impact on thousands of Peabody residents, especially during these last couple of years,” said Walsh.
“Nobody exemplifies leadership qualities over the last couple of years more than Carolyn. She’s a little bit shy when it comes to attention, and really for her, I know it’s always about all of the volunteers,” Walsh added.
Walsh said the work done by the Council on Aging under Wynn’s leadership has been “outstanding and has touched many lives.”
Walsh presented Wynn with a citation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives, following which Wynn received a standing ovation.
“You are all going to make me cry,” Wynn said. “Honestly, you are all the most wonderful staff and volunteers, and I thank you for all you do every day. I am extremely thankful to be awarded this honor. I am incredibly grateful to have such a wonderful and dedicated staff and volunteers helping us fulfill our mission serving the seniors in Peabody.”
Wynn said the honor reflects on the good things the council is doing at the Senior Center.
“There was a lovely lunch in Boston and I really enjoyed hearing the stories of those who were nominated,” said Wynn.
To learn more and read the full list of Heroines, visit the Commission on the Status of Women online.
Emma Fringuelli can be reached at [email protected].
Anne Marie Tobin can be reached at [email protected].
