Framingham State Celebrates Women Making History Now

Framingham State Celebrates Women Making History Now

Mar 30, 2017

Framingham State University celebrated five female leaders, as well as one all-female non-profit organization, during the second annual “Women Making History Now” ceremony held during Women’s History Month.

“This month, as we celebrate the many contributions of women throughout history, we also want to recognize women who are having a powerful impact on their communities today,” says Framingham State President F. Javier Cevallos. “Each of our honorees are passionate and driven leaders who work tirelessly on behalf of others.”

This year’s Women Making History Now recipients are:

-Maura Healey, Massachusetts Attorney General. Attorney General Healey was sworn into office on January 21, 2015, pledging to lead the People’s Law Firm. Since taking office, Ms. Healey has tackled issues touching the lives of residents across Massachusetts, including the heroin and prescription drug abuse epidemic, escalating health care costs, workers’ rights and student loan costs.

-Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a private, non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world. The organization was founded on January 13, 1913 by 22 collegiate women on the campus of Howard University.

-Rita Colucci, Chief of Staff and General Counsel at Framingham State University. An experienced labor attorney, Ms. Colucci segued into human resources management for a number of years before assuming her current role at Framingham State. In her more than 25 years working as an attorney, Ms. Colucci is most proud of her work in furthering welcoming and inclusive environments for all.

-Dr. Sonia Diaz, Chief Academic Officer for Framingham Public Schools. In this role, Dr. Diaz oversees all matters having to do with curriculum and instruction; she supervises the departments of Bilingual Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Staff Development and Academic Supports, Community Resource Development, Health and Wellness, Special Education, and Family and Community Engagement.

-Sylvia Ruiz, Senior Care Products Account Executive for Fallon Health and Vice Chair of the Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce (HACC). Ms. Ruiz specializes in helping seniors with limited financial resources access and pay for the medical care they need in order to maintain their health and independence.

-Susan Nicholl, Executive Director of the MetroWest Visitors Bureau. Ms. Nicholl was the first executive director of the visitors bureau and brought a track record and affinity for connecting people and organizations to create collaborative projects that strengthen our communities.

About Framingham State University

Framingham State University was founded in 1839 as the nation’s first public university for the education of teachers. Since that time, it has evolved into a vibrant, comprehensive liberal arts institution offering small, personalized classes on a beautiful New England campus. Today, the University enrolls more than 6,000 students with 58 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the arts, humanities, sciences, social sciences and professional fields. As a State College and University (SCU), Framingham State prides itself on quality academic programs, affordability, and commitment to access for all qualified students.