Framingham State University Professor Named Unsung Heroine

Milford State Rep. John V. Fernandes honored Amy Leone of Hopedale, as a 2015 Unsung Heroine at a State House celebration last month, hosted by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women.

Rep. Fernandes nominated Fernandes for her incredible work as a mental health counselor and her many humanitarian affiliations and endeavors on behalf of youth outreach services, substance abuse programs, and health care issues.

Leone is an adjunct professor at Framingham State University.

Leone was one of 86 women from cities and towns across the Commonwealth who were recognized for their outstanding contributions to organizations with which they are affiliated and the communities where they reside.

Framingham’s Judith Grove and Ilma Paixao also received awards.

“I proudly nominated Amy because of her many years of outstanding service as a mental health counselor, where she has positively impacted the lives of countless individuals across the Milford region,” Fernandes said in a press release. “Through her professional associations and her many voluntary affiliations, Amy is consistently on the frontlines of addressing the societal impact of mental illness and the need for services, preventing underage substance abuse, seeking proven methods to combat the heroin epidemic and promoting healthy lifestyles for young people.”

“I was truly honored and humbled by this recognition, but without all my family’s support and the network of people in the Greater Milford Area, many of these efforts would not have been possible. A quote said by Maya Angelou says, ‘I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.’ I will continue to keep these words of wisdom at the forefront of my mind as I strive to make Milford, and surrounding towns, a better place to live,” said Leone.

The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women describes the Unsung Heroines as women who don’t always make the news, but truly make the difference. 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. They are mentors, volunteers and innovators who do what needs to be done without expectations of recognition or gratitude. These women are the glue that keeps a community together and every community has them.

The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women is an independent state agency that was legislatively created in 1998 to advance women of the Commonwealth to full equality in all areas of life and to promote their rights and opportunities. The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women provides a permanent, effective voice for the women of Massachusetts.

Photo Credit: Office of Rep. John V. Fernandes