The following information was provided by State Rep. Steve Owens’ Office:
In collaboration with the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW), State Representative Steve Owens honored Jan Singer as his nominee for the 2023 Class of Commonwealth Heroines.
Singer joins hundreds of women across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts who are recognized each year for their hard work and dedication to their community. Last Friday, Representative Owens and the MCSW celebrate women like Singer, who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, at the Massachusetts State House.
“Jan has worked tirelessly to support the Watertown community,” said Rep. Owens. “Her years of service at the WCF have formed lasting connections amongst residents, families, and businesses to improve the wellbeing of the city.”
“We are thrilled to see Jan recognized with such a great and well-deserved honor. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when people didn’t know where to turn, get information or know how to help, the Watertown Community Foundation led by Jan became a go-to resource.” Said Lauren Coughlin Unsworth, Co-President of the Watertown Community Foundation. “Jan dove into action. She established the Community Resilience Fund which put more than $110,000 into the community to respond to urgent needs. She created the Community Resiliency Task Force as a way to mobilize, share resources and build collaborations with Watertown’ s non-profit and business leaders working on the front lines of the pandemic. Her leadership helped WCF and the Watertown community respond quickly during a time of crisis.”
In addition, Janet Jameson, a longtime Watertown community activist, was recognized posthumously as a Commonwealth Heroine by State Senator Will Brownsberger. A passionate advocate for the arts, sustainability and open space, Janet passed away last year at age 84. She was a founding and long-time member of the Watertown Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee. Her advocacy was central to creating the Watertown Greenway that links Watertown’s bike paths to surrounding communities. She also helped ensure passage of the Community Preservation Act and the ad hoc Public Arts Group which commissioned three bright murals around town painted by Watertown High School students.