The Greater Cape Ann Community Collaborative (GCACC) is proud to announce that Rachel Lee, a facilitator for the collaborative, has been recognized as a Commonwealth Heroine by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women.
MCSW held its 19th annual ceremony on Wednesday, June 22, honoring 121 Commonwealth Heroines from across the state.
Lee, Regional Public Health Nurse for the Towns of Hamilton, Wenham, Essex and Rockport, was nominated by State Sen. Bruce Tarr for her commitment to public health, and her vital leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lee has served as a lead facilitator within GCACC, a collaborative of 10 Cape Ann communities that have worked together to provide consistent access to vaccinations for all. More than 15,000 vaccinations have been delivered to date.
Commonwealth Heroines nominated by their legislators. Commonwealth Heroines are recognized for their roles as mentors, volunteers, and innovators who strive to protect and represent the interests of the vulnerable members of their communities. These women are known for dedicating their time, talent, and enthusiasm to enriching the lives of others, but are not always seen for their contributions.
“It is a great honor, but it is an honor I share with my fellow public health professionals and volunteers,” Lee said. “Everything we have accomplished has been because we worked toward a common goal, and it has been all the more memorable because I have been able to get to know and work with so many great people.”
About the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women
The MCSW is an independent state agency that was created in 1998 to advance women of the Commonwealth to full equality in all areas of life. The Commission is dedicated to promoting women’s rights and opportunities and to providing a permanent, effective voice for the women and girls of Massachusetts.
About the Greater Cape Ann Community Collaborative
GCACC is composed of the municipal leaders and public health agents of Boxford, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Middleton, Rockport, Topsfield, and Wenham. GCACC was created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and has since been approved by Gov. Charlie Baker and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health as a regional COVID-19 vaccine collaborative.
