Winners of Boston's EXTRAordinary women campaign announced

BOSTON - Tuesday, March 8, 2016 - On International Women's Day, Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced the winners of the EXTRAordinary Women Campaign, led by the Mayor's Office of Women's Advancement. The campaign highlights women that do extraordinary work within the Boston community. Hundreds of women were nominated for this campaign and 31 were selected to be recognized by the Office of Women's Advancement, every day during Women's History Month.

"The hard work, commitment, and leadership of women make an enormous impact on the City of Boston every day," said Mayor Walsh. "This Women's History Month, it is important that we honor the women who have come before us and recognize those who are currently active leaders in our neighborhoods. I encourage anyone who knows the women who are being highlighted to take a moment to show them gratitude for what they do for our community."

Mayor Walsh is committed to the advancement of women, having launched a five-year partnership with the American Association of University Women (AAUW) to offer free salary negotiation workshops available to every woman in the city of Boston, called "AAUW Work Smart in Boston", the first of its kind in the country. Learn more information about the workshops.

The EXTRAordinary Women Campaign winners are as follows:

Natasha Archer
Roxbury
Natasha is a dedicated physician and scientist at Boston Children's Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute. She is working to improve the lives of children with sickle cell disease worldwide.

Margaret Butler
Jamaica Plain
Margaret founded Komera, a nonprofit that assists girls in pursuit of secondary education and invests in their success.

Terri Campbell
North End
Terri is a Big Sister and Board member at Big Sister Association of Greater Boston and has been for more than 10 years. She is passionate about serving girls and young women.

Margaret Connolly
West Roxbury
Margaret has mentored and inspired girls as a Big Sister at Big Sister Association of Greater Boston for over five years. She serves her country as a Reservist in the US Coast Guard and protects residents as a Boston Firefighter.

Cothenia Cooper-Paterson
Dorchester
Cothenia is a detective in the Boston Police Sexual Assault Unit and volunteers her time to support several causes that impact the inner city. She is a model of community policing.

June Cooper
Jamaica Plain
Rev. Cooper advocates for all residents through her ministry and homelessness prevention programs at City Mission.

Cherie Craft
Roxbury
Cherie is helping close the academic achievement gap. She created Smart from the Start, a family support and school readiness organization.

Nataka Crayton
Dorchester
Nataka empowers residents to grow their own food and cook healthy meals. She believes in the power of people and was instrumental in creating the Urban Farming Institute which promotes urban farming and green collar jobs.

Jeanne Dasaro
Dorchester
Jeanne is founder Wonder Women of Boston, a women's networking group.

Shari Davis
Brighton
As Director of the City of Boston's Youth Engagement & Employment, Shari works to provide employment and developmental opportunities for Boston's youth.

Sara Mraish Demeter
Beacon Hill
Sara is the Founder of Art Resource Collaborative for Kids (ARCK). She provides BPS youth with art education and helps them unlock their creative potential.

Jullieanne Doherty
Jamaica Plain
As the Mayor's liaison to the LGBT community and Jamaica Plain, Jullieanne helps to serve Boston residents and connect the public to resources.

Olivia Fenty
Dorchester
Olivia founded the Chocolate Project, an organization that highlights the experience of young women of color and raises self-esteem.

Elizabeth Fitzpatrick
Dorchester
Elizabeth served the USA while in Afghanistan as a Corporal in the US Marines. She is currently getting a degree in early childhood education.

Patricia Flaherty
Mission Hill
Pat spends her days advocating for smart development and housing that is affordable. Her most recent accomplishment was the opening of the Maria Sanchez House that brought 40 units of affordable senior housing to the neighborhood.

Lourdes German
Brighton
Lourdes is the founder of the Civic Innovation Project and Fellow at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. She is driven by a deep commitment and passion for communities and civic engagement.

Kenyora Johnson
Dorchester
Kenyora is committed to mentoring girls through her job at Strong Women and Strong Girls in Greater Boston.

Suzanne Lee
Chinatown
Suzanne has led civil rights, education and economic justice throughout the City of Boston since 1976.

Vivian Lee
Jamaica Plain
Vivian advances the City's diversity by making sure that limited English speakers have a voice in public housing and by encouraging them to tell their stories and speak their mind.

Courtney Leonard
Mattapan
Courtney is committed to mentoring Boston's youth of color by igniting their passions and encouraging them to reach their full potential. She works with Big Sister of Greater Boston and serves as Chief Operating Officer and Coach for the Boston Showstoppers Girls Academic & Athletic Program.

Lily Lynch
Back Bay
Lily oversees all of Mass Nonprofit Network's communication strategies and plays an important role in supporting Boston area nonprofits through the organization.  She is also a devoted Big Sister at the Big Sister of Greater Boston.  

Meriel Marmanillo
Roslindale
Meriel volunteers on local boards that support the advancement of Latino/as people and other community-based groups.

Lindsa Mcintyre
Dorchester
Lindsa focuses on the students, parents and staff at Jeremiah E. Burke High School and takes pride in developing new leaders.

Erin Murphy
Dorchester
Erin ran a marathon to help remove the negative stigma from addiction. She advocates for addiction recovery services and programs.

Charlayne Murrell-Smith
Roxbury
Charlayne is a passionate mentor and leader at Boston Children's Museum. She helps advance the museum's programs and mission.

Catalina Ocampo
Brighton
Catalina works at Bunker Hill Community College and is currently working toward her Master of Social Work from Simmons College.

Sheriece Perry Esq.
Roslindale
Sheriece is an attorney and Co-Founder of G.I.R.L.S.R.U.L.E., a summer program for girls in Roxbury. She serves disadvantaged populations and empowers girls.

Susan Prindle
Back Bay
Susan works on issues ranging from development to architecture, and her efforts has helped maintain the historic character of the neighborhood, while simultaneously promoting sustainable and area-appropriate development.

Reinelda "Chiqui" Rivera
South End
Chiqui is a community activist. She is well recognized for her efforts in rescuing and reviving the Puerto Rican Festival of Massachusetts and ensuring that the Festival provides a safe weekend of arts and cultural activities for the entire family.

Priscilla Rojas
Downtown Boston
Priscilla commits her passion and leadership to organizations across Boston, promoting the betterment of the city and advancement of women and people of color.

Ashley Rose
Fenway
Ashley Rose has spent the last 12 years of her life working to improve the lives of youth and elders through art, education and activism in Boston Public schools. Currently, she focuses on drug rehab centers and community centers at Lena Park CDC.