Above: Southborough resident Donna McDaniel (center) with State Representative Carolyn Dykema and State Senator Jamie Eldridge (contributed photo)
Donna McDaniel yesterday became the latest in a string of Southborough women to be honored as Unsung Heroines by the Commission on the Status of Women. Past recipients include Linda Hubley (2012), Debbie Depp-Wilson (2010), and Lisa Braccio (2009).
There’s no doubt Donna deserves the recognition. Read more in this press release sent out by the office of Representative Carolyn Dykema.
Today at the State House Southborough resident Donna L. McDaniel was named a member of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women’s 2013 class of Unsung Heroines.
“I am so glad for this opportunity to be able recognize Donna for all the work she does in Southborough,” said Representative Carolyn Dykema. “Her good work plays a vital role in strengthening our community and today’s ceremony is a special opportunity to say thank you.”
The first woman to serve as Selectman for the Town of Southborough, Donna is a model in giving back to the community which she continues to serve as a devoted Town Meeting participant and Board Member of the Southborough Historical Society. Donna is also a passionate historian. She has documented the history of Southborough through Southborough Memories and has written widely on topics of race including Fit for Freedom and Not Fit for Friendship.
“It was an honor to join Donna today and share in her receiving this distinguished honor,” said Senator Jamie Eldridge. “Donna’s hard work and impressive array of personal accomplishments have made a permanent dent in the glass ceiling and undoubtedly paved the way for the next generation of unsung heroines to follow in her footsteps.”
She is always on the move; performing around the world with two choirs, writing a biweekly column and lecturing on her research. Among her past careers are: teacher (with several of those years as teacher spent in abroad with the Department of Defense), counselor, community activist, journalist, columnist, editor, and volunteer with inner city “youth at risk.”
Donna shows a lifelong commitment to equality and democracy and is a guiding example for how we can make our community a better place to live.
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. For more information please contact the MCSW at 617-626-6520 or mcsw@state.ma.us.
Let me be first on this blog to extend heartfelt congratulations to Donna.
What a career! I can hardly wait to see what she does next…
Well done, indeed, Madame, well done, indeed.
Congratulations to Donna–this is so well-deserved! Her work on documenting Southborough’s history is so important, and I recommend her book to everyone!