Needhamites Named ‘Commonwealth Heroines’ at State House Ceremony

June 27, 2025
• Frederica Lalonde and Stacie Shapiro earned recognition for their community impact at an annual celebration of Massachusetts women.

On Thursday, 127 women from across the state received their flowers.

From Pittsfield to Westford to Provincetown and everywhere in between, women accepted a certificate and yellow rose to commemorate their “unheralded acts” that work to improve the world around them, said Mary-dith Tuitt, chair of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women.

For the 22nd year, the MCSW recognized Commonwealth Heroines, described as “the women who don’t always make the news, but who are truly making a difference,” Tuitt said. Local lawmakers select a woman from their district to receive the award.

Among this year’s honorees are Frederica Lalonde and Stacie Shapiro, both Needham residents, who were nominated by state Sen. Becca Rausch and state Rep. Josh Tarsky, respectively.

Lalonde serves as co-founder and managing editor at the Needham Observer, established in the wake of the Needham Times’ collapse that left a local news void in town. Shapiro is a community activist, most recently co-organizing the “No Kings” rally at the Town Common.

Both women expressed surprise at their recognition and slight discomfort with the spotlight, but gratitude in equal measure.

“I just kind of do all the things that come in front of me… and then suddenly you find yourself immersed in a lot of different things, but I never thought it was a big deal or really worthy of any recognition for that matter, because I feel like that’s just what you do when you’re part of a community,” Lalonde said. “You engage in the ways that you know how.”

In a written biography for the ceremony, Tarsky described Shapiro as “the consummate advocate.” That passion for democratic action runs through Shapiro’s blood, as the daughter of former Newton Mayor Theodore Mann and granddaughter to former state Rep. Hyman Mann.

Her political involvement — from the Needham Public Schools to the League of Women Voters to Town Meeting — “just kind of snowballed,” Shapiro said.

“That piece of it, that historic family piece, was special for me,” she said after the ceremony. “It’s nice to be recognized and have people cheering for you.”

Since its founding in 1998, the MCSW works to advance and promote women’s rights and equity within the state. The independent state agency also aims to advance state legislation pertaining to that mission.

The Gardner Auditorium filled with families, legislators and fellow women, who applauded for honorees hailing from 12 counties.

“Because we can’t do this work without all of you, your contributions to your community are the very fabric of our lives,” MCSW Executive Director Shaitia Spruell said. “You do the right thing when no one is looking. You help your neighbors. You make the corners of your world just a little brighter by your thoughts, words and actions.”

It’s precisely Lalonde’s words that make her a heroine, Rausch said. At a time when local media “has taken a real hit,” she said Lalonde stepped up to provide critical information that surrounding communities can emulate.

“I think it’s been a phenomenal, and transformative in many ways, contribution and addition to our community,” Rausch said of the Observer, “and that is sort of the latest in Fred’s long line of community service.” Rausch previously recognized Needham resident Georgina Arrieta-Ruetenik at the 2019 ceremony.

Lalonde’s additional involvement on parent-teacher councils within the school district and previous stints at Town Meeting, on a recreation working group and as a local campaign manager have kept her busy.

When considering who to honor from the 13th Norfolk District, Tarsky couldn’t think of anyone more deserving than Shapiro. She also works with the Needham Community Council, the Needham Democratic Town Committee and the Becca Schmill Foundation, founded by her sister.

“[Her work] is just invaluable to the democratic process,” Tarsky said, “and just a wonderful person well deserving of this award.”

Shapiro and Lalonde took photos on the Senate Chambers’ balcony and admired the murals around the grand staircase. They later joined the entire Class of 2025 Heroines for a group photo.

Now in her seventh year as a state senator, Rausch lauded the annual event and its ability to uplift and inspire.

“I think it’s often the case that women and people of color, people with marginalized identities, do not get the recognition that they deserve for doing these kinds of really heroic things,” she said. “So to create space for that kind of appreciation, for those contributions to be valued, [is important], and those contributions absolutely should be valued, and we should value the people who provide them.”