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

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2000
TRUDY MacINTYRE
by E. Karas

Trudy MacIntyre is the Executive Director for the Haven from Hunger, the largest food pantry on the North Shore of Massachusetts.

Ever since she was a young girl, her dream was to participate in  a program that helped people, but she especially wanted to participate in a food pantry.  When asked what compelled her to work so hard within her community, her reply was, "...Because it was just my dream to have the biggest and best food pantry anywhere."  Her dream never changed.

MacIntyre's significant first was when the Haven from Hunger was chosen to visit the White House two years ago and she was thanked by the President. 

As the Executive Director,  MacIntyre devotes 45 to 60 hours a week to the program.  The Haven from Hunger generally serves about 1,276 individuals a week!

MacIntyre was one of the original board members of the Haven and has been working in the program for fourteen years.  "I became involved in the Haven from Hunger program when I heard about a meeting that was about helping others," she said.

Most of the money used to run the Haven from Hunger comes from the Walk for Hunger, grants and fundraisers,  she explained.

She also said it is more difficult to get people to contribute when it isn't a holiday.  "You have to work at it," she remarked. 

There are three paid staff at the Haven from Hunger and over 200 volunteers of all ages that participate.  A lot of her clients speak another language in addition to English.  "They mostly speak Spanish, Greek and Portuguese," she said.

"The characteristic of Mary Upton Ferrin  that I admire most is her determination and all of the walking that she did to enlighten people about women's situations," MacIntyre said.

Lions student interviews Trudy MacIntyre, April 3, 2006

MacIntyre  believes that the role of women in our community is whatever they want it to be.  "They have to get educated and can be anything they want if they go and prepare for it," she said.

An important female role model in her life is Nancy Crowder, the 1999 recipient of the Mary Upton Ferrin Award.  "Nancy Crowder is the Executive Director of Inn Transition and when I got this job, I went to Nancy for help and advice and she always gave it to me," she said.   The Inn Transition is a homeless shelter for women and their children who may have experienced domestic violence.

MacIntyre believes in motivating young people to give to their community and participate in their local government.  "I would motivate young people to talk to groups so they understand how much they are needed.  When helping other people, you get a lot more than you give and it opens the door for you to see other people's situations," she said,

I believe that Trudy MacIntyre is a woman who definitely has been a builder of the community and a shaper of dreams.  She encourages others, believes in herself, never loses hope, is selfless, and cares for others.  Her work inspires young women to work toward a goal, whatever it may be, and that one can gain a lot from giving to others.  What impressed me most about Trudy MacIntyre was her modesty.  When asked about an accomplishment she was proud of, she preferred to use the term "pleased with". 

She was born on August 17, 1939 in Brighton, Massachusetts.  She currently lives in Lynnfield and works in Peabody. 

She attended St. Gregory's Grammar and High School and went to Merrimack College where she earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration.  She has two children, 44 and 46 years old.