Published April 8, 2021

NORTH READING — In honor of Women’s History Month, held annually in March, the High School Youth Action Team (YAT) undertook a project to publicly acknowledge all women employed by the town of North Reading.

We celebrate and applaud you for making the difference in the lives of so many. We are proud of you for being our champions and your obvious commitment to serving the public and youth. In addition to being our mothers, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, cousins and friends, you are our role models and humble leaders.

Thank you for being our advocates, biggest cheerleaders, and the fiercest of the fierce when we needed you most. Thank you for having the unmatched strength to pick us up when we’ve fallen and the insight of knowing when we needed a shoulder to cry on or a gentle nudge when we needed a push.

While we celebrate our pride for you today and every day…let’s take some time to celebrate your greatest prides. Nearly two dozen of you took the time to respond to the YAT’s query: “I’m most proud of…”

Alison Stewart

NRMS  Grade 6 (Science)

Teacher

“I am most proud of my academic achievements. I am the first in my immediate family to earn a master’s degree. Also, I am currently in a second master’s degree program which will make me the first person in my extended family with two master’s degrees.”

Amy DiChiara

DPW

Executive Assistant

“I am most proud of my children.”

Amy Luckiewicz

NRPD

Drug Free Communities Grant Project Director

“I am most proud of partnering with other North Reading departments to reduce youth substance use and provide resources to families.”

Amy St. Arnaud

NRHS  Spanish Dept.

Teacher and grades 6-12

Curriculum Leader

“I am most proud of my children! I think it is amazing that some women can make and nourish a child and have a deep, special bond.”

Andrea Gagnon

NRHS  Math Dept.

Teacher

“I am proud that I was able to recently complete my Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership. I am also proud to have built a very full life of family and friends whom I love, and a long, exciting career in education.”

Anna McGovern

NRPS  Food Services

Director of Food Services

“I’m very proud that as a single parent, I have raised two children to be good, respectful and responsible people.”

Christine Gates

E. Ethel Little School

 Grade 4

Teacher

“I am proud that I am a good daughter, sister, friend and teacher. Relationships are so important in life. I try to maintain positive ones whenever possible. I am also proud that I am someone who ‘rolls with the punches’ and gets back up. I am not a quitter.”

Cynthia Conant

NRPS  Office of Student Services

Director of Student Services

“As a mother of two sons, I am proud that I am able to model for my sons that a woman can serve many important roles in life including mother, working professional, and also serve in a leadership role.”

Dana Sinerate

NRMS  Video Production

Teacher

“I’m most proud of the connections I make with students to help them build their confidence every day!”

Danielle Masterson

Flint Memorial Library

Head of Children’s and Teen Services

“I am most proud of being the librarian in my hometown. In my tenure, I have made a point to include all voices in our collection. No matter who you are, you will find yourself at the Flint Memorial Library.”

Danielle McKnight

Community Planning

Department

Town Planner/Community Planning Administrator 

“I’m proud of my hard work and my ability to keep doing my job well, despite my work environment changing drastically over the past year. I am also proud of my amazing administrative assistant, Debbie, for her consistently great work and flexibility. Finally, I am proud to work for such a kind and supportive community.”

Gale Talis

NRHS  Special Ed.

Paraprofessional

“Being a single mom, I believe balancing a home life for my two children and work was a challenging time. A father that was absent, I spent every day providing the greatest life for my children. Today, I can proudly say I have done the best job. Both boys have grown into wonderful men. They have great jobs! Great achievement…”

Janet Murphy

Town Clerk’s Office

Assistant Town Clerk

“I am proud of the very happy and healthy relationship I share with my two adult children, as well as with their dad, my ex-husband. I really like my kids and they seemingly like me. They are honest, hard-working, fun, caring individuals. I feel they are my greatest accomplishment thus far.”

Jennifer Ford

Youth Services Dept.

Director of Youth Services

“I’m a very proud wife of 27-plus years; a smitten Gigi to my new love, Rayne Elizabeth; the biological mother of five of the best humans that I know; and the luckiest to be the ‘mom’ to countless others. I pride myself on creating a world that considers the needs of all and empowering those around me with the courage to be the change they wish to see in the world.”

Kaitlin Tully

Batchelder School – Grade 2

Teacher

“I am most proud of being a working mother of two adorable girls. My girls are strong and know how to stand up for themselves and what is right. They are kind and hardworking and make me a better woman.”

Laura Boggs

NRHS  English Dept.

Teacher

“I am most proud of the woman that I have become today. I owe that to the strong women and role models in my life. If it were not for the women who raised me, I would not be as strong, driven and motivated as I am. I am thankful for these role models and will continue to raise strong children myself with the same guidance.”

Mary Prenney

Elder Services

Director of Elder Services

“I am most proud of my 47-year-old marriage, three very successful daughters, three grandchildren, who are all socially conscientious and leaders in their field. My volunteer work past and present in my community (youth sports, Girl Scouts, various town committees, Mystic Valley Elder Services). My dedication to elder advocacy and services, and the people who work with me every day for their support and dedication.”

Maureen Stevens

Parks and Recreation

Operations Director

“The staff and its work ethic.”

Meredith Gallagher

NRMS  Science Dept.

Teacher

“I’m most proud of finishing up my master’s degree and being a first-year teacher during a worldwide pandemic. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to educate such a wonderful group of students, and I’m proud of their efforts in embracing the hybrid learning model.”

Nancy Boudreau

Batchelder School  Grade 1

Teacher

“Wow, I am proud of lots of things! Personally, I am proud that I am raising three strong, caring, thoughtful, respectful and intelligent boys. Professionally, I am proud that each year I motivate children to be lifelong learners, voracious readers and most importantly caring, respectful and empathetic citizens.

On a worldly level, I am proud to be a woman who is confident, outspoken, caring, supportive of other women and hopefully a role model for others, as well as respectful and grateful to all the women who paved the way before me.”

Pamela Vath

Board of Health

Public Health Nurse

“I am most proud of my contributions for the past 25 years as a member of the Board of Health and for my role as the Public Health Nurse for the past two years. In this year of the pandemic, I feel fortunate to directly help our residents adjust to the restrictions and guidelines of protecting themselves and others, and provide education whenever needed. I am proud to be a member of the Health Department team for its efforts to provide vaccination clinics conveniently here in North Reading.”

Sherri Greer

Elder Services

Administrative Assistant

“I am most proud that my career path clearly was paved and followed in the footsteps of impressively strong, wise women. I have raised two of the most amazing young ladies, single-handed. My reputation of being dependable and honorable with the ability to overcome obstacles as they arise without a hint of self-doubt is a fact I take pride in. Being a strong woman is directly attributed to being raised without boundaries related to gender!”

Susan Magner

Veterans’ Services

Director of Veterans’ Services

“I am very proud of my service to this country in the United States Air Force. In addition, I am proud of raising four amazing children with three serving in the military and one teaching overseas, all while being a single mom working two jobs.

I am humbled and proud to assist veterans and their families by providing them with an array of local, state and federal services to help make their lives better. Lastly, I am proud to have the ability to recognize our veterans with an Annual Dinner; and bringing to town The Wall That Heals to honor our Vietnam veterans and helping them heal.”