
For nearly 30 years, Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell has honored a woman who is an integral part of what makes our community thrive. From professions ranging from educator to politician, healthcare provider to attorney, CEOs, athletes and homemakers, we celebrate the women who exemplify resilience, dedication, and determination, and do it all with a whole lot of heart. Our Celebration of Today’s Woman recipients are the embodiment of STRONG, SMART and BOLD.
Please a woman you know professionally and/or socially, someone you believe is the perfect candidate to be honored with this special recognition of her accomplishments, and submit the form below to nominate her for the 2023 award.
Nomination deadline is February 10, 2023.
The celebration will be held on June 1, 2023 at The UMass Lowell Inn and Conference Center.
Celebration of Today's Woman Nomination 2023
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About Sculptor Mico Kaufman
Girls Inc. is proud to present a bronze medallion to each Celebration of Today’s Woman recipient created specifically for the occasion by world-renowned sculptor and Tewksbury native Mico Kaufman. The six-inch medallion represents the Lowell Mill Girls and more broadly the strong, smart and bold women of Greater Lowell.
A prolific artist whose work ranged from statues as high as 20 feet tall to handheld pieces, Kaufman was recognized for his skilled crafting on numerous occasions. He was listed in “Who’s Who in American Art?” from 1970 through 2016, and received honors from the National Society of Literature and Art and the James McNeill Whistler House Distinguished Artist Award. Kaufman was the only sculptor to receive commissions to design four inaugural medals: Gerald Ford’s vice presidential and presidential medals; Ronald Reagan’s presidential medal, which Reagan sat for with Kaufman; and George H.W. Bush’s presidential medal.
Kaufman was born in 1924 in Buzau, Romania, and survived forced labor during World War II. He studied sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Rome and immigrated to the U.S. in 1951, becoming a citizen in 1956. He died in 2016 at the age of 92.
We had the best time honoring 2022 Celebration of Today’s Woman recipient Representative Vanna Howard!
How wonderful to see more than 160 friends of Girls Inc. at the UMass ICC on June 16. We were especially delighted to host 7 honorees from past years. The room was buzzing with the energy of these strong, smart and bold women!

From left: Dr. Janice Stecchi (2002), Clemmie Alexis (1996), Eileen Donoghue (2000), Representative Vanna Howard (2022), Linda Chemaly (2010), Karen Frederick (2006), Lura Smith (2019) and Jane Calvin (2021).
Save-the-date for next year’s celebration June 1, 2023!
Thank you, thank you, thank you
to our amazing sponsors!
STRONG
SMART
BOLD
Celebration of Today’s Woman Award Recipients
Year | Recipient |
---|---|
2022 | Representative Vanna Howard |
2021 | Jane Calvin |
2019 | Lura Smith |
2017 | Judy M. Burke |
2018 | Mary Boutselis Sampas, Yun-Ju Choi and Lianna Kushi |
2016 | Amy J. Hoey |
2015 | Naomi M. Prendergast |
2014 | Carol S. Duncan |
2013 | Deedee O’Brien |
2012 | Dorcas Grigg-Saito |
2011 | Mary Louise Keenan |
2010 | Linda Chemaly |
2009 | Kay George Roberts, D.M.A |
2008 | Jacqueline Moloney, Ed.D. |
Year | Recipient |
---|---|
2007 | Therese O’Connor |
2006 | Karen Frederick |
2005 | Mary Jo Leahey |
2004 | Margaret Palm |
2003 | Mary Ellen Fitzpatrick |
2002 | Janice Stecchi, Ed.D. |
2001 | Patricia Bradley |
2000 | Eileen Donoghue |
1999 | Nancy Donahue |
1998 | Patricia Crane |
1997 | Nicola Tsongas |
1996 | Clementine Alexis |
1995 | Susan Black, M.D. |
1994 | Carole Cowan, Ed.D. |