Berkshire County Women Named 'Unsung Heroines'

By Tammy Daniels - March 25, 2008
iBerkshires Staff

CLARKSBURG - Thomas Jammalo was surfing the Web when he came across a call for "unsung" heroines from Berkshire County. He knew right away the perfect person to nominate: his wife.

"She does a lot in the community," he said Monday about Town Clerk Carol Jammalo. "I thought she would be a very good fit."

He was right. Carol Jammalo is one of nearly 300 women from across the state who will be honored on May 14 at the State House for their efforts in their communities.

Some 600 women were nominated; the final 286 were selected by a panel based on their outstanding contributions to their organizations and communities. The nominations are sought annually by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women as a way to recognize those often "unsung" contributions by women to make their communities better.

"Our Unsung Heroines are women who don't make the news, but make the difference in their communities, businesses, or volunteer endeavors. They are the women who quietly, without fanfare or recognition and usually behind the scenes, use their time, talent, spirit and enthusiasm to enrich the lives of others," Linda Brantley, the commission's executive director, said in a statement announcing the names of this year's heroines. "We are awed by the fabulous work women across the commonwealth are doing and thankful to the many nominators who brought these incredible women to our attention."

But the number of women being honored from Berkshire County is light compared to the eastern part of the state. The commission extended the deadline for nominations twice, hoping to get more names representing Western Mass. Each community is supposed to recognize one outstanding woman with the exception of Boston, which has nearly a dozen spots because of its size.

It was an article in iBerkshires bemoaning the lack of nominations from the county that prompted Thomas Jammalo to submit his wife's name.

"I was a day late so I wasn't sure they'd accept it, but they did," he said. "She's going to be so excited."

Jammalo operates an office in Adams for Acme Printing Co. of Wilmington and is often out of town. "Carol is a Realtor, the town clerk and takes care of our 6-year-old daughter, Julia," he said, plus is active in the town and school. "She's going, going all the time."

Anyone could nominate an Unsung Heroine - co-workers, employees, bosses, friends, family and lawmakers. State Rep. Denis E. Guyer, whose far-flung district includes 22 small towns inside and outside of Berkshire County, nominated a number of women, a half-dozen or so who were selected.

"Every community has someone they and I think deserve to be Unsung Heroines," said Guyer on Monday. "It's usually a person who doesn't expect it."

The Dalton Democrat said some of the women may be paid for their work, others volunteers, but all give above and beyond what's expected of them. "They're doing it because they love what they're doing and they're making their communities better.

"This is a way for the community and the state to say thank you for their efforts."

Attorney General Martha Coakley, a North Adams native, will be the keynote speaker at the afternoon recognition ceremony, which will include certificate presentations, a collective photo of all the Unsung Heroines in attendance and a "Just Desserts" reception featuring pastries from some of the best female pastry chefs in the state. Honorees will be featured in an event program; to find out about sponsorship opportunities: click here.

"This is going to be such a surprise for my wife," said Jammalo.


The Berkshire County Unsung Heroines are:

Joan Moylan of Becket

Kathleen Goodrich of Cheshire

Carol Jammalo of Clarksburg

Christine Lablanc of Dalton

Sandra Martin of Egremont

Doris Jean Brown Lewis of Florida

Peggy Sullivan of Great Barrington

Martha Freshler of Hinsdale

Claire Pace of Lanesborough

Lori Trottier of New Ashford

Dawn Warner of Peru

Laura L. Mick of Pittsfield

Marguerite J. Rawson of Richmond

Helen K. Pigott of Stockbridge

Susan Gold of Williamstown

For a complete list of names and nominators, click here.