Commonwealth Heroines FAQs

About Commonwealth Heroines

The Commonwealth Heroine Celebration is an opportunity to recognize the women across the state who don’t always make the news but who are truly making a difference in their communities, businesses, or volunteer endeavors. The MCSW requests that each legislator nominates one female constituent annually to be honored as a Commonwealth Heroine. All Commonwealth Heroines and the legislators who have nominated them will be invited to attend a ceremony in celebration at the Massachusetts Statehouse.

Nomination Criteria: 

• Nominee must be a constituent of the nominating legislator.
• Legislators may co-nominate, but the woman must live in their district. 
• Nominee must have demonstrated significant initiative, passion, accomplishment and or achievement in any of the following areas:
  • Actively worked to improve the status of women and girls in the commonwealth 
  • Created or actively endorsed legislation that impacts women and girls of the commonwealth
  • Promoted collaboration between women and girls serving organizations or work to inform business, education, healthcare, government or media leaders of issues pertaining to women.

Nomination Restrictions:

• No current MCSW State or Regional Commissioners.
• No individual currently working for MCSW Appointing Authorities (Governor, House Speaker, Senate President, MCWL).
• Nominees must not have received Unsung Heroines/Commonwealth Heroines award before. 1x only / lifetime achievement award.

What does a Commonwealth Heroine Celebration look like? 

Every June, we welcome over 300 guests to the Massachusetts State House to celebrate Commonwealth Heroines. The event is also livestreamed through Zoom and Facebook Live. Speakers give opening remarks, and then we announce the names of the women who are being recognized. All Heroines received a Heroine Package with a single wrapped yellow rose, an Award Certificate, and some other gifts as a small token to commemorate their extraordinary service to their communities. 

How long have we done the Commonwealth Heroines Celebration? 

Since 2004! We’ve recognized over 2,000 incredible women across the state of MA. 

How does someone get nominated? 

MCSW accepts recommendations solely from Legislators, but constituents are encouraged to reach out to their legislators if they would like to offer a constituent as a suggestion. 

If an individual was recognized in the past as Heroine, can they be nominated again? 

We do not accept repeat nominations because we want to give ample space and opportunity for others to be recognized each year. 

Is there an age limit?

There is not! We’ve had awardees as young as 10. As long as the nominee meets all criteria required.

Need additional Information?

Contact mcswprograms@mass.gov if you have additional questions or concerns.

Commonwealth Heroines Archive: Through the Years

2024

Commonwealth Heroines 2024 Program Book

Commonwealth Heroines 2024 Livestream

2023

Commonwealth Heroines 2023 Program Book

Commonwealth Heroines Class of 2023 Celebration

2022

Commonwealth Heroines Class of 2022 Program Book

Commonwealth Heroines Class of 2022 Celebration Recording

2021

Commonwealth Heroines Class of 2021 Program Book

MCSW Commonwealth Heroine Class of 2021 List

2020

Commonwealth Heroines Class of 2020 Program Book

Commonwealth Heroines Class of 2020 Virtual Celebration

MCSW Commonwealth Heroine Class of 2020 List

2019

Unsung Heroines Program Booklet 2019

Historic List of Commonwealth Heroines

Commonwealth Heroines Historical List (2004-2023)