COLRAIN — Rhonda Anderson of Colrain will be honored Wednesday as a member of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women’s 2021 Commonwealth Heroines.
Sen. Jo Comerford, D-Northampton, recommended Anderson for this recognition because of her leadership around the rights and interests of Native Americans, both nationally and statewide, according to a press release from Comerford’s office.
“Rhonda’s prophetic leadership is advancing civil and human rights in the commonwealth,” Comerford said in the release. “We are all stronger because of her critical work.”
The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women will host Commonwealth Heroines and legislators for a Zoom presentation that will provide opening remarks and a slideshow presentation of the Class of 2021. The celebration will be broadcast live on the commission’s Facebook page beginning at noon on Wednesday.
Anderson is Iñupiaq-Athabascan from Alaska, where her Native enrollment village is Kaktovik. She is the Western Massachusetts commissioner on Indian Affairs, and a founding member and co-director of the Ohketeau Cultural Center and the Native Youth Empowerment Foundation. According to the release, she is helping to advance the statewide Indigenous Agenda with a special focus on banning Native American mascots.
The Commonwealth Heroine awards, now in their 18th year, are granted to women who don’t always make the news, but always make a difference, the release explains.
“Thousands of women in every community of the state 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,” the release states. “They are mentors, volunteers and innovators who strive to protect and represent the interests of seniors, victims of violence, children, immigrants and other vulnerable populations. They are the glue that keeps a community together.”
A complete list of this year’s honorees is available at bit.ly/3xIb60N, and the program booklet is available at bit.ly/2TV0aOO.