Linda Kirby, one of the two recipients of the Woman of the Year award, was celebrated for her commitment to the Brookline community, especially her 37 years of dedication to the Town’s public schools. Kirby’s long-standing connection to Brookline, her extensive involvement in community organizations, including the Brookline Commission for Women, and her role in the office of student services were central to the commendation. Her professionalism, warmth, and dedication were consistently praised by multiple nominators. Kirby’s impactful work was further recognized with a special commendation from the state senate, presented during the event.

Mindy Paulo, the second honoree, was recognized for her role as the Director of English Language Education. Paulo shared a moving narrative about her immigrant background and the resilience it fostered, which has been reflected in her dedication to serving the Brookline community. Her speech not only highlighted her own journey but also paid homage to the strength and determination of her mother and the students she works with. Paulo voiced her appreciation for the support and guidance she received from colleagues and mentors throughout her career.

The event coincided with Women’s History Month, and both recipients emphasized the significance of this alignment. Their speeches underscored the importance of resilience, community support, and the influence of personal experiences on professional contributions.

In addition to individual accolades, a group of six women was acknowledged for their important role in establishing the Brookline News, a local news outlet. Amidst the decline of local newspapers, these women were lauded for their commitment to providing reliable and trusted news coverage, ensuring transparency, accountability, and community engagement. The honorees underscored the importance of journalism in upholding democracy and civic participation, and they issued a call to action for community members to support the nonprofit news organization through subscriptions and donations.

During the ceremony, there was a notable moment of reflection with a land acknowledgment, recognizing the Massachusett people’s unceded land and the historical injustices faced by indigenous and African peoples in the area. Past honorees also shared their experiences, including the influence of the superintendent of schools on one honoree’s efforts to benefit all students in Brookline. Another past recipient highlighted the ongoing challenges to reproductive freedom and the need for continued advocacy in this area.