Local women, organization to be honored for service to women in Somerville

The Somerville Commission for Women will celebrate its 25th Anniversary with a special event to introduce the work of the commission and the active role of commissioners in the community along with present the “Woman of Excellence Award” and “Best Service Provider to Women Award” at the East Somerville Community School from 6 to 8 p.m. on March 19.

The Somerville Health Department and the Office of Somerville Commissions announce that this year’s award recipient for “Woman of Excellence” by the Somerville Commission for Women will be former Alderman-At-Large Helen Corrigan who has contributed to the City as an Alderman, a member of the Board of Health, and as a member of various Somerville nonprofit organizations. Helen also served on the Board of Aldermen when City Ordinance created the Women’s Commission. The “Best Service Provider to Women” award recipient is the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC).

Awards will be presented at the reception honoring Women’s History Month and the Commission’s Anniversary.

“This is a time for us to remember all that past and present commissioners have accomplished over the past 25 years, share current projects, and work together to determine the next steps we can take as a community,” said Sonja Darai, Director of the Office of the Somerville Commissions.

Women’s History Month is celebrated in March, dating to the first International Women’s Day on March 26, 1911. In 1981, Congress passed a resolution making Women’s History Week a national holiday, and legally expanded the observance to an entire month in 1987.

Past award winners include the CASPAR, Somerville Community Partnership for Children (SCPC), Police Department Family Services Division, Special Education advocate Debbie Higgins, and affordable housing advocate Mary Louise Daly, Librarian Marylin Eastwood, among others.

For more information, contact Office of Somerville Commissions Director Sonja Darai at 617-625-6600 ext. 2406, or SDarai@somervillema.gov.