News

Donna Newcomb named “Commonwealth Heroine” by Massachusetts State Women’s Commission

CHELMSFORD, Massachusetts (June 20, 2024) – Chelmsford resident Donna Newcomb was honored as a member of this year’s class of Commonwealth Heroine Award recipients, as selected by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MSCW).

The MCSW celebrated Ms. Newcomb and her fellow heroines during an event on Friday, June 14, at the Massachusetts Statehouse.

Ms. Newcomb was nominated for the award by State Rep. Simon Cataldo for her outstanding contributions in education, civic leadership and community service.

“I was so proud to nominate Donna Newcomb for this recognition,” he shared on social media. “Her tireless efforts and genuine compassion have touched countless lives of students and families in both Chelmsford and Lowell. She has been a mentor to me in learning about the needs and strengths of the Chelmsford community, a role she has performed for so many other elected and appointed leaders in our region. Donna’s contributions transcend her own service. She is the type of leader who makes everyone else better contributors to our communities, too.”

A passionate advocate for children and their families, Ms. Newcomb recently wrapped up a 7-year run on the Chelmsford School Committee.

She has been involved with the South Row School Council, the parent-teacher organizations at South Row and Chelmsford High School and the Chelmsford Council of Schools.

Ms. Newcomb has spent her entire life serving the Chelmsford community with additional service on the Board of Library Trustees and as a Town Meeting representative and is a co-founder of the Initiative for Local Aid, a grassroots advocacy group that works to increase local aid.

She was also a longtime religious education teacher at St. Mary’s Church, coached youth basketball and field hockey, served as a Girl Scout leader, was a member of the Chelmsford Garden Club and served as chair of the Junior Garden Club.

A special-education teacher at Lowell High School since 2006, Ms. Newcomb also oversees the Compass Program, an after-school enrichment program for freshman, and volunteers with the Outdoor Adventure Club. She previously taught at Lighthouse School for 18 years.

A Westfield State University alum, Ms. Newcomb holds a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from Boston University.

About Chelmsford Public Schools

The Chelmsford Public School District provides all students with multiple pathways to optimize their own potential for academic excellence, leadership, and social and emotional wellness. The mission of the Chelmsford Public Schools is to educate, engage, prepare, and empower well-rounded and knowledgeable learners to PERSEVERE through challenges, demonstrate RESPECT and INTEGRITY in their words and actions, are DEDICATED to their community, and display EMPATHY as global citizens while discovering and pursuing their full potential. This PRIDE-driven culture enables all members of the school community to support the growth and development of students. For more information, please visit www.chelmsfordschools.org.