Framingham State to Honor Women Making History Now

Framingham State to Honor Women Making History Now

Mar 23, 2016

Framingham State University will celebrate and honor six female leaders who have a huge impact on the region as part of a new event called “Women Making History Now.”

The awards ceremony, scheduled for Tuesday, March 29th, coincides with FSU’s Women’s History Month celebrations.

“This month, as we celebrate the many contributions of women throughout history, we also want to recognize women who are having a powerful impact on their communities today,” says Framingham State President F. Javier Cevallos. “Each of our honorees are passionate and driven leaders who work tirelessly on behalf of others.”

The inaugural Women Making History Now recipients are:

-Karen Spilka, State Senator for the 2nd Middlesex and Norfolk district and Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. Senator Spilka’s legislative accomplishments include efforts in a broad range of areas including economic development, jobs creation, education, juvenile justice and services for the elderly and disabled communities.

-Dr. Yves Solomon-Fernandez, Interim President of MassBay Community College and the next president of Cumberland County College in New Jersey. Prior to her appointment as interim president, Dr. Salomon-Fernandez served as a dean and vice president at MassBay, overseeing the College’s institutional research, grants development, strategic planning, and partnership-building work.

-Former Massachusetts First Lady Diane Patrick, co-managing partner at law firm Ropes & Gray’s Boston office and an advocate for victims of sexual assault and domestic abuse. She has over 30 years of experience representing and advising employers in connection with a broad range of labor and employment-related matters.

-Dr. Linda Vaden-Goad, Framingham State University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Dr. Vaden-Goad is focused on developing and retaining quality faculty and staff, strengthening new student preparation and early academic success, pursuing excellence and engagement in the academic experience, and preparing students for global citizenship and competitiveness.

-Jen Maseda, Chief Philanthropy Officer at United Way of Tri-County, serving more than 34 cities and towns in Massachusetts. In her role, Maseda oversees the Operations, Resource Development, Marketing, Public Relations, as well as the organization’s Community Investment Strategies in United Way’s four impact areas - Education, Health, Financial Stability and Basic Human Needs and the distribution of $5.2 million annually. During her 11 years with the organization, Maseda has led her team to raise more than $50 million.

-Helen Lemoine, executive director of Leadership MetroWest, a nonprofit community leadership development organization that builds civic leadership and engagement as an investment in the future of the region. Lemoine considers herself a “civic entrepreneur.” Both personally and professionally she is inspired by her community and driven to play an active role in strengthening it.

About Framingham State University

Framingham State University was founded in 1839 as the nation’s first public university for the education of teachers. Since that time, it has evolved into a vibrant, comprehensive liberal arts institution offering small, personalized classes on a beautiful New England campus. Today, the University enrolls more than 6,000 students with 58 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the arts, humanities, sciences, social sciences and professional fields. As a State College and University (SCU), Framingham State prides itself on quality academic programs, affordability, and commitment to access for all qualified students.