Abington - Theresa "Terry" Maze, an advocate for education, works with Parents Without Partners, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the needs of single parents and their children.
Bridgewater - Margaret "Vale" Sime helped establish a food bank, organized annual flu shots for elders, and is a member of the Bridgewater Senior Center Trustees.
Brockton - Marilyn Ann Thomson is the librarian at the Huntington Elementary School in Brockton and has served in the city's school system for over 15 years. She helped develop a schoolwide program to combat bullying and increase acts of kindness.
Canton - Elizabeth "Betty" Lethin, a nurse, and her late husband opened their home to many children and unwed mothers. They were foster parents and adopted many children.
Carver - Eva "Kay" Spencer has actively served on the Carver School Committee for over 10 years. She also served in the Air Force.
Cohasset - Roseanne "Ronnie" McMorris served on the leadership team that built the Joseph Osgood School and on the Cohasset Conservation Commission. She spearheaded a petition to adopt the Community Preservation Act.
Dedham - Patricia "Patty" Doyle, president of the Chernobyl Children Project, organizes the visits of 120 children from Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine each summer to the Boston area, where they enjoy many recreational activities and receive medical treatment.
Duxbury - Kara Allen, as the senior program director for C5 New England, works to create programming that challenges our teens to be the best leaders they can.
East Bridgewater - Janice Cunningham, a police officer, is the driving force behind the Help Us Get Safe (HUGS) program to assist victims of domestic violence. She served as president of the Massachusetts DARE Officers' Association.
Easton - Cheryl Opper, an educator, created an educational program for homeless children. She is the volunteer executive director of School on Wheels.
Foxborough - Marcia Galvin, a member of the eighth generation of Daniels Family of Normandy Farms Campground, has organized volunteers for events to raise money for the Jimmy Fund and has also organized donations to many community groups.
Freetown - Elizabeth "Beth" Lawton began the Rainbow Workshop, a preschool with a multicultural focus.
Halifax - Debora Gilbert serves on the Halifax School Committee and volunteers in the school's reading and art programs.
Hanover - Rena M. Strachan, who recently died, was active in the elder community, serving on the Council on Aging and preparing meals for Meals on Wheels and at the senior center.
Hingham - Patricia "Pat" Villani has rallied businesses to donate money and supplies to the Baird Center, a group home for boys who have behavioral issues as the result of early trauma or mental illness.
Holbrook - Susan E. Martin has, as superintendent of Holbrook public schools, successfully navigated the system through a series of educational audits and developed a district Leadership Team.
Hull - Janet Bennett has worked in local government for 47 years and is now the town clerk.
Kingston - Priscilla L. Palombo founded Helping Hands Autumnfest after the September 11 tragedy. Her organization has provided people in need with a holiday meal, warm clothing, or gifts under the Christmas tree.
Lakeville - Elizabeth St. George has served on the Open Space Committee, the capital campaign committee during the town's 1990 economic struggles, and as chairwoman of Lakeville's 150th Anniversary Committee. She wrote a column, "Prevailing Winds," for two local newspapers.
Marshfield - Virginia "Ginny" Bowker worked as a school psychologist in several settings, including in an alternative high school.
Middleborough - Heather E. Ashworth is an Early Intervention Service Coordinator, working with stressed families to help get access to quality healthcare and medical services.
Milton - Ruth Adomunes, a nurse, makes and sells beaded bracelets to support such charitable organizations as the Haitian Health Foundation, which raised enough to build a 14-house village, and Dove Inc., a domestic violence shelter.
Norton - Danielle Sicard is the program director for the Attleboro YMCA, assistant executive director for Norton's YMCA, and a volunteer member of Norton's Recreation Commission. She has helped develop a partnership between the Y and the town.
Norwell - Laurie Galvin has helped hundreds of patients in her role as a physical therapist and rehabilitation manager of the Norwell VNA. She has also helped families in El Salvador with, among other things, the purchase of goats.
Norwood - Bernice Wenstrom has been a valued contributor to many organizations for more than 30 years. In her mid-80s, she continues to volunteer for the Norwood Hospital, as well as a local food pantry, a thrift shop, and the Meals on Wheels program.
Pembroke - Kathleen Fanning founded and coordinated a monthly meals program for homeless women. She was also instrumental in the Appalachia Service Project, which sends home repair volunteers to areas of poverty in the South.
Plymouth - Connie Melahoures, an advocate for the most vulnerable in Plymouth, serves as the president of the Task Force for the Homeless.
Quincy - Naima Agalab, born in Somalia, is an advocate for Somali refugees resettling in Boston communities.
Randolph - Stacy Ann Dixon began a Saturday program to engage students and help them to discuss a range of issues impacting their lives.
Rockland - Debra "Dee" McGeoghegan, who has worked for more than 30 years at Cardinal Cushing Centers, helps young people with disabilities to learn job skills. She also developed a computer learning center for an affordable housing complex for seniors and people with disabilities.
Scituate - Susan A. Phippen, a longtime civic volunteer, founded the Scituate Animal Shelter and the Scituate Community Christmas organization.
Sharon - Jeanne-Marie Brookfield has for more than 15 years coordinated support for a local soup kitchen and has been instrumental in the success of Chernobyl Children's Project. She also volunteers at a clinic for the homeless.
Stoughton - Alice M. McGibbon, who sings with local choirs, has for more than 15 years worked in local nursing homes and an adult day-care center, including nine years in an Alzheimer's care unit.
Walpole - Sandra Esmond, a teacher in Walpole public schools, was nominated by 30 of her colleagues for modeling exemplary student-centered leadership, a determined work ethic, and delight in student and staff achievements.
Wareham - Martha Maguire, a Wareham Free Library trustee and supporter, has raised more than half a million dollars to support a library in Onset.
West Bridgewater - Marilyn Raleigh has served as a library volunteer at the public library, has worked with the School Department to ensure the high school's accreditation, and has served on numerous appointed town committees.
Weymouth - Heidi Bright, a clinical specialist at the AIDS Action Committee, has assisted people with HIV by providing counseling, as well as educational and peer support programs.
Whitman - Margaret K. Cerilli has been a longtime school volunteer who, after being elected to the Whitman-Hanson Regional School Committee, served as the chairwoman when the new Regional High School was built.
SOURCE: Mass. Commission on the Status of Women
