This featured guest piece is an excerpt of our June 2026 newsletter.

Dear MCSW Community:

This month, the MCSW proudly announced the Class of 2026 Commonwealth Heroines – a group of 147 extraordinary women who make up the largest class of awardees since the program’s inception in 2004! Commonwealth Heroines are chosen by their state legislators in recognition of their selfless work in business, local government, non-profit organizations, advocacy, and many other spheres.

Last year, I was honored to receive this award myself when I was nominated by State Representative Alice Peisch. The ceremony took place at the State House in June, as it does every year, and it was a remarkable experience to stand with so many accomplished women who serve in many different roles – public officials, teachers, social workers, grassroots organizers, medical professionals, business leaders, farmers, and so many others – all with a common commitment to making a difference in their communities.

As a new appointee to the MCSW, I see that same commitment and creativity among my fellow Commissioners and the MCSW staff as we work together to advocate for the women and girls of the Commonwealth. I’m grateful to Speaker Ronald Mariano for this opportunity to continue in public service following my six years as a member of the Wellesley Select Board.

I’m particularly focused on a key MCSW legislative priority to promote gender parity and diversity on state boards and commissions through the Parity on Boards bill (H.3398/S.2160). Serving in local government, I saw firsthand the need for gender and ethnic diversity in public bodies – and data shows that many state boards and commissions lack such representation. The Parity on Boards bill still needs support to get to a vote before the legislative session ends in July. You can help by sending a message to your legislators through the MCSW Take Action Hub!

Our Commonwealth Heroines are shining examples of the rich talent and commitment to community that exists throughout our state. May these dedicated women inspire us all to continue to find ways to help women and girls achieve their full potential.

Congratulations again to the Class of 2026 Commonwealth Heroines,
MCSW Commissioner Lise Olney

Lise was appointed to the Commission by Speaker Ronald Mariano in November 2025. She was honored by the Commission as a Commonwealth Heroine in 2025, nominated by State Representative Alice Peisch. Lise is a former member and chair of the Wellesley Select Board on which she served for six years. She founded and continues to run the Wellesley Civil Discourse Initiative, which organizes and facilitates community dialogues. She also currently serves as the chair of the Town of Wellesley’s Climate Action Committee and is a member of the Wellesley DEI Task Force and the Wellesley Freedom Team. Lise has been an elected Town Meeting Member since 2014 and was an elected member of the Wellesley Natural Resources Commission from 2014 to 2019. She served on the 2024 steering committee of the Women Elected Municipal Officials within the Mass Municipal Association and was a member of the Emerge Massachusetts class of 2019. Originally from Washington, D.C., Lise lives with her husband in Wellesley — his hometown — where they raised their two daughters.