Submitted by the Office of Rep. Ken Gordon, D-Bedford
Ann Guay, whose volunteer highlights include her service on the Massachusetts Autism Commission and the Bedford School Committee, alongside her leadership of the town’s efforts to make life easier for children of transitional families living in the Bedford Plaza Hotel, was honored by State Representative Ken Gordon (D-Bedford) and Senator Michael Barrett (D-Lexington) as a member of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women’s 2017 class of Unsung Heroines.
For more than twenty years, Ann has devoted her talents and her training by putting others before herself. Currently in her second term on Bedford School Committee, Ann also serves on the board of Massachusetts Advocates for Children, the Massachusetts Autism Commission, Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts, and the Nashoba Learning Group Human Rights Commission.
As a volunteer coordinator for the Bedford Housing Task Force, Ann coordinated assistance for children living in the Bedford Plaza by organizing and executing a program that provided bagged lunches, school supplies and backpacks for the children living in the hotel, as well as Charlie Cards for public transportation.
A trained attorney, Ann is well known on Beacon Hill for her dedication to passing legislation to promote equity for children with special needs, both in school and healthcare settings. Ann was instrumental in the passage of the Children’s’ Autism Medicaid Waiver Program, a program which provides intensive in-home and community-based services to Mass Health eligible children under the age of 9.
“Ann’s commitment to her community over the last few decades has been an inspiration to me and many others in Bedford, this award was very well deserved,” said Representative Gordon.
“Being selected as an Unsung Heroine was both a surprise and an honor. Sitting in the Great Hall and listening about the accomplishments of the other women named to the same honor was a wonderful opportunity to hear about the good work being done by women across the Commonwealth. I was so grateful to be included and so humbled to be named to the same honor,” said Ann.
“Ann’s heroism is effectively moving from unsung status to something universally acknowledged. In terms of her civic leadership, I expect we’ll be singing her praises out loud for years to come,” said Senator Barrett.
The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women describes the Unsung Heroines as women who do not make the news but make the 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.
The Unsung Heroine 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 Robert A. DeLeo, Senate President Stanley C. Rosenberg and Representative Colleen M. Garry, Co-Chair of the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators.
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.
Loading ...
