2006 Peabody women who are builders of community and dreams are the
Peabody Chamber of Commerce's
Mary Upton Ferrin Award Winners

Builders of Community and Dreams Project

Mary Upton Ferrin
1810-1881

Peabody Chamber of Commerce

Peabody, Massachusetts

Women's History Month in Peabody: A Retrospective

Home

1999
MARY RICHARDSON
by N. Allen

Mary Richardson is a hard working, caring and honest person who volunteers a lot for the city of Peabody. She was the winner of the 1999 Mary Upton Ferrin Award. This award is granted each year to a woman interested in promoting community dreams.

Richardson served on the Executive Committee of the North Shore Creative Arts Council. She was also appointed by Peabody Mayor Peter Torigian and the City Council to serve on the Peabody Cultural Council which funds cultural events in the community.

Richardson has many connections to the Peabody community where she has lived for 36 years. When she was in seventh grade she was not sure yet what she wanted to do, but she was looking for her place in the world. She attended Roslindale High School in Boston, North Shore Community College (where she received her Associates degree), and received her Masters degree from Northeastern University.  Her role models were her older sisters.

Richardson believes that her most important past community involvement was when she worked on the school budget.

Lions student interviews Mary Richardson, April 3, 2006

Richardson had a few things to say about women in our community and about Mary Upton Ferrin. She said a woman’s role in a community is no different than a man’s role and that women should do what is needed for their community to succeed and thrive.

According to Richardson, Mary Upton Ferrin lived during a very tough time; she was not afraid to
stand up for what she believed in, and was extremely brave.

Richardson explained that she believed volunteering is a joint venture.  It is for communities and families combined.  It is a way to make the world a better place.  Richardson said she misses volunteering and when she has more time, she plans to do some more volunteer work.  Richardson is a firm believer that volunteering is key for communities to thrive.

Richardson believes S. M. Smoller, the 1994 Mary Upton Ferrin award winner, should be featured on the next Peabody's Women's History Month commemorative bookmark.  She would like to see Mrs. Smoller on it because she does a lot of good things for our community.

Mary Richardson is a person who exemplifies the qualities set forth by the Peabody Chamber of Commerce regarding the Mary Upton Ferrin Award.