By Sandy Quadros Bowles | www.southcoasttoday.com
The state Commission on the Status of Women honored six area women as unsung heroes, along with 119 of their counterparts across Massachusetts.
These women “don’t always make the news, but truly make the difference,’’ stated to a press release issued by the commission. “They are the women who use their time, talent and enthusiasm to enrich the lives of others and make a difference in their neighborhoods, cities and towns.’’
The local women honored during the 30th anniversary of the award ceremony are:
Dr. Eileen T. Marland of Dartmouth: For decades, Marland, 88, has dedicated her life to helping other people. She flew missions in Vietnam and remains an active pilot today. She’d rather get things done than be recognized and one will rarely see her name publicly identified in the thousands of instances where she had made a difference for good. Most recently, as a leader in Atlantic Aviators she raised $165,000 to build an aviation-themed playground accessible for handicapped children.
Susan M. Barnes of Wareham: She worked to establish more than 40 programs offered weekly for Weymouth’s 11,386 senior residents, all 60 or older, before retiring. During her 14 years as a director of Weymouth Elder Services, she carried out activities to improve operations. Barnes is credited with instilling the friendly atmosphere that is still enjoyed by all that attend programs at the center today.
Veronica Beaulieu of Westport: She had served on the Westport School Committee, Finance Committee and as a selectwoman. She has been awarded Portuguese Person of the Year by the Legislature and in 2010 was named Westport Woman of the Year. Since retiring in 2002, Beaulieu volunteers at South Coast Hospital, organizing and preparing meals once a month for shut-ins with the Westport Friends Helping Friends. She also volunteered in the Juticalpa, Honduras mission for two years, and continues to work and raise money for the Santa Clara School in Honduras with soup sales and other projects.
Julie Craig of Mattapoisett: Craig owns a farm in Mattapoisett and offers free horseback riding lessons to children and adults with developmental disabilities. She co-founded Helping Hands and Hooves, which provides therapeutic riding lessons to those with developmental disabilities, with fellow honoree Deborah Dyson. She has always had a special love of horses and she decided to share her love of horseback riding with those who might not otherwise have that chance.
Deborah Dyson of Mattapoisett: Dyson is the co-owner of Helping Hands and Hooves, a farm in Mattapoisett that offers free riding lessons to those with developmental disabilities. Together with fellow honoree Julie Craig, founded Helping Hands and Hooves, with the mission to provide therapeutic riding lessons to those with developmental disabilities. Dyson’s brother has autism and Craig’s son has non-verbal autism; both have noticed that after riding lessons, their confidence, physical abilities and social skills were improving. This inspired them to their free riding program.
Gail Fortes of New Bedford: Fortes is committed to providing a voice and a platform for many of her community’s organizations, including the YWCA and the Women of the South Coast. In her role as executive director of the YWCA, she has collaborated with many other organizations to provide education and opportunities for women in her community. In the past year, she hosted a series of television programs covering topics that impact women and presented strategies that can be used to improve women’s lives. As the executive director of New Bedford YWCA, she also works to eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
“These women are the glue that holds a community together,’’ the commission said in its statement.
