Mary Jane McGlennon of Gloucester will be honored as a member of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women’s 2020 class of Commonwealth Heroines. State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester) recommended McGlennon for this recognition because of her tireless work on behalf of Cape Ann’s most vulnerable residents.

“Mary Jane McGlennon embodies the spirit of this award,” said Ferrante. “She has a lifetime of giving to her community, seeking no compensation in return other than to benefit the lives of others.”

Ferrante continued, “First, Mary Jane helped to propel the availability of literature to Gloucester residents, young and old alike, as well as to Gloucester residents fluent in English and those still seeking to learn a second language through the Sawyer Free Library. In her second chapter, Mary Jane sought to give voice and dignity to those who had trouble finding theirs because of mental and addictive diseases, leading the effort to found the Grace Center, staying with the organization to see it through its transition, and now as the Vice President of Lifebridge.”

“Today, although she has achieved success in her previous efforts to improve the lives of others, Mary Jane continues to support her community by volunteering in the Mayor’s office,” said Ferrante. “Giving is ingrained in her constitution and I cannot envision her life at any point in time without contribution to her community. For these reasons, I am happy to see Mary Jane receive this recognition.”

A Gloucester resident for over 30 years, Mary Jane McGlennon initially worked with local non-profit organizations in her capacity as a professional fundraiser. As a volunteer, she served as a member and then Chair of Gloucester’s Sawyer Free Library Board. In 2012, Mary Jane became the first Board Chair of the Grace Center, a much-needed day resource center for the homeless and underserved in Gloucester, founded by local clergy. She remained Chair as the Grace Center grew from an all volunteer part-time program to a professionally staffed full-time organization.

Recently, McGlennon was pivotal in managing the Grace Center merger with Lifebridge North Shore, ensuring that Grace Center’s programs and services will meet the needs of its guests into the foreseeable future. She currently serves as Vice President of the Lifebridge Board and also volunteers in the office of Gloucester Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken. A committed citizen of Gloucester, Mary Jane McGlennon continues to participate in many charitable organizations on the North Shore that serve its most vulnerable residents.

The Commonwealth Heroines are women who don’t make the news, but make a difference. Thousands of women in every community of the state 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.

The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women will be virtually celebrating the seventeenth annual Commonwealth Heroines Class of 2020. The Commission will be sharing a slideshow provided through a shared link on the original date of the event of June 24, 2020 on their social media platforms.