Watertown’s Eileen Ryan was one of 147 women from across Massachusetts to be nominated for the Commonwealth Heroine Award. She was nominated by State Sen. Will Brownsberger. See more information in the announcement about Ryan, and nominees from Watertown’s State Representatives in the announcements from the legislators’ offices, below.
On Wednesday, June 24, 147 women from across the state gathered to be honored at the Class of 2026 Massachusetts Commonwealth Heroine Awards Ceremony. The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) partners with state legislators to identify women who make outstanding contributions to their organizations and in their communities. These women are leaders in industry, business, nonprofit, advocacy, and more, and their work truly makes a difference in our local communities all across the state.
“It is an honor and privilege to nominate Eileen Ryan of Watertown for this award,” said State Sen. Will Brownsberger. “The Commonwealth Heroine award is given to women of the Commonwealth who use their time, talent, spirit, and enthusiasm to enrich the lives of others in their communities. Eileen fits this perfectly.”
Eileen Ryan of Watertown founded Beyond Plastics Greater Boston and is a member of the Steering Committee of Plastic Free Massachusetts. She is also a member of the Beyond Plastics Speakers Bureau and on Watertown’s Solid Waste and Recycling Advisory Committee. She helped to pass the single-use plastic shopping bag ban in Watertown in 2016.
Eileen serves on the Steering Committee of Indivisible Progressive Watertown, is a member of the Watertown Democratic Committee, and leads the Watertown Walks for Peace Team in support of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute’s Mother’s Day Walk for Peace.
In Boston, she volunteers as a tour guide with Boston by Foot and can be found on the steps or in the halls of the State House championing vital legislation. She is well known for engaging her creative skills to create unique and meaningful costumes and signs for climate and social justice causes. She is the mother of three grown children and the grandmother of two.
“The Commonwealth Heroines are women who don’t make the news, but make all the difference in their communities,” said MCSW Chairwoman Mary-dith Tuitt. “Thousands of women in every community across the Commonwealth perform unheralded acts on a daily basis 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 — they are the glue that keeps a community together.”
10th Middlesex District
Rep. John Lawn, 10th Middlesex District, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing nominated a Newton resident for the Commonwealth Heroine.
“I’m honored to nominate Terry Sauro as a 2026 Commonwealth Heroine,” Lawn said “She is the person you call when you need help, the person you talk to when you need advice, and the person you can count on to get it done. She fights for what is right, serving as a central voice for residents, commanding respect with her fearless nature, and remaining unwavering in her commitment to improving the community.”
Rep. Lawn continued, “As Chair of the Nonantum Neighborhood Association, daughter of one of the founding members of the St. Mary of Carmen Society, and Mayor of Nonantum, Terry listens, speaks up, and takes action. She has raised thousands of dollars in scholarships for local students, championed public safety and neighborhood improvements, and organized community events that support families, strengthen local businesses, and honor cherished traditions. Through her leadership, advocacy, and service, she exemplifies what it means to be Nonantum Strong.”
29th Middlesex
State Rep. Steve Owens nominated Cambridge resident Zeyneb Magavi, the Executive Director at HEET, a nonprofit energy innovation hub. Her 2017 proposal to use Thermal Energy Networks via a GasToGeo pathway to build a new thermal utility has since spread globally.
Launching Zeyneb and HEET into leadership of an emerging industry, including the creation of a scientific research consortium, policy pathways, community engagement tools, workforce training, and a growing project pipeline. Her work in energy is driven by understanding that the energy system is the basis of our economy and of human well-being, today and for future generations.
For additional information regarding this event, please visit Massachusetts Commonwealth Heroine awards or contact the MCSW at 617-626-6520, mcswprograms@mass.gov.