(BOSTON) – Two women from the Third Plymouth District were recently honored as members of the 2024 class of Commonwealth Heroines under the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW). Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull) nominated Ms. Kim Greaves to honor her leadership in community engagement and local government in Hull and the 3rd Plymouth District. Also nominated from the district was Ms. Kenzie Blackwell, a Hingham resident and founder and director of @free.period.ministry, an organization which has provided nearly one million menstrual products to schools across Massachusetts. MCSW celebrated Ms. Greaves, Ms. Blackwell, and the other Commonwealth Heroines at a reception in the State House on June 14th.
“Ms. Greaves has brought so much to Hull and the South Shore,” said State Representative Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “She exemplifies what it means to build a stronger, more connected community. She wholeheartedly deserves recognition for her years of dedication.”
As described in her nomination, Ms. Greaves is a multifaceted artist and dedicated community leader with a heart for service. Her commitment to service extends beyond the art world; she is actively involved in leading numerous veteran events in Hull to honor servicemembers and their families. Additionally, Ms. Greaves has made significant contributions to a wide array of causes such as the American Red Cross, local food pantries, and the Smithsonian Institution where she has helped curate Native American artifacts.
“Thank you for choosing me from among all these amazing women,” said 2024 honoree Kim Greaves of Hull. “It was an honor and a very special day to be celebrated along with 124 women who are working to help others to make life better for the people of our Commonwealth.”
State Senator Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth) also recently spoke of honoree Kenzie Blackwell, who he nominated for the 2024 Commonwealth Heroine honor. “It has been an honor to work closely with Kenzie and it was not a question for her to be my nominee for this year’s 2024 Commonwealth Heroine Award. Thank you for all the incredible work you continue to do, Kenzie.”
“To be recognized as a MCSW Heroine this year was an unexpected honor and I am very humbled to be thought worthy of this award,” said 2024 honoree Kenzie Blackwell of Hingham. “Free. began just three years ago to address period poverty on the South Shore. I never expected it to grow so quickly into an organization that has now reached 50% of the cities and towns in Massachusetts. Our impact would not be possible without the unwavering support of Representative Meschino and Senator O’Connor. Research repeatedly finds 1 in 3 lower income people struggle to attend school or work while menstruating, even in the Commonwealth. Representative Meschino’s advocacy to end period poverty in Massachusetts through legislation and her support of Free. ensures thousands of our neighbors can learn and engage in life with dignity. Thank you to Representative Meschino for recognizing me and for your leadership!”
“The Commonwealth Heroines are women who don’t make the news, but make all the difference in their communities,” said MCSW Chairwoman Dr. Sarah Glenn-Smith. “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.”
A complete list of this year’s honorees and more information about MCSW’s work is available on the Commission’s website at mass.gov/women.
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 MCSW provides a permanent, effective voice for the women of Massachusetts.