Emily Teller Named 2023 Commonwealth Heroine by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women
Representative Arciero with Emily Teller, 2023 Commonwealth Heroine by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women
Released June 2023
WESTFORD -- State Representative James Arciero recently recognized Westford resident Emily Teller as a 2023 Commonwealth Heroine by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. This year’s award event was held at the Massachusetts State House Great Hall and was the 20th annual ceremony held by the commission.
Nominated by Arciero, Teller has served the Westford community for over four decades, including as a volunteer with the Westford Public Schools, Roudenbush Community Center, First Parish Church United, Parish Center for the Arts, Upper Merrimack Reserve Medical Corps, Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, Concord Women’s Chorus and Westford Climate Action, to name just a few of the groups she has been active with over the years.
The purpose of the Commonwealth Heroine award is to identify and recognize extraordinary women from across the Commonwealth who make a difference in their communities. This year, the MCSW honors women from across the state for their work in their communities and beyond. According to the MCSW, in selecting honorees, they seek women who “don’t make the news, but make the difference.”
Thousands of women in every community of the state perform unheralded acts daily that make our homes, neighborhoods, cities, and towns better places to live. Commonwealth Heroines use their time, talent, spirit, and enthusiasm to enrich the lives of others in their community. They are mentors, volunteers, and innovators who strive to protect and represent the interests of seniors, victims of violence, children, immigrants, and other vulnerable populations. They are those special individuals who always step up in a community and serve the greater good.
“It is an honor to nominate both a very good friend and a great civic-minded individual like Emily for the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women’s Commonwealth Heroine Award,” said Arciero on hearing of her selection by the MCSW. “She is a such a giving person who has contributed thousands of hours of her time to make Westford a little more special. It was truly an honor to nominate her for this prestigious award which recognizes her many contributions to our town and its citizens.”
As part of the special event, a House Resolution marking the occasion of her selection was recently presented to Teller as part of the State House ceremony to recognize her many civic and governmental activities and contributions over the years.
“Again, congratulations to Emily and thank you to her husband, Tom and their family, for sharing Emily with the Westford community in order for her to do what only Emily can do,” concluded Arciero. “And I believe she is only just getting started.”