Mary Upton Ferrin Award Winners

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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1995
SUSANNA LEVINE
by E. Rubin

Susanna Levine was born in Boston, Massachusetts on March 11, 1950. She never lived in Peabody; however, she had the opportunity to work in Peabody as a banker at the Warren Bank, which was founded in the 1800's.

Levine went to Boston State College, receiving a Bachelors degree in Political Science. Currently, she is attending Salem State College where she is working on a Graduate degree. Levine retired from Warren Bank and began studying at North Shore Community College. Today, Levine teaches in a pre-school.

Surprisingly, when Levine was about twelve years old, she wanted to live in New York City. She did not have a particular career in mind for the future, but she loved the city because of its diversity and culture.

Levine's grandmother played an important role in her life. She was from Russia and came to the United States when she was about fifteen years old. She spoke no English and spent several years away from her family. That independent spirit was an inspiration to Levine even at an early age.

Levine has made many contributions to Peabody in the areas of Daycare, Housing and Financial Education. She defines herself as creative, energetic, warm and curious.

When Levine won this award, she felt surprised, happy, proud and humble all in one. She thought that so many people do so much to help others, and she felt that she played a very small role in the community. However, Levine thought that she inspired many people, especially her daughter, who went on doing community service through Salem State College.

Overall, Susanna Levine has done much to build and promote the dreams of others in Peabody.

Susanna Levine was interviewed via e-mail.

"Award to us our proper station in society; abolish all unjust laws in regard to us; withhold from us no longer our natural rights as human beings, children of one Parent, members of the same family... As husbands and son, as fathers and brothers, show to the world that you are not only manly, but humane; that you know how to pity as well as to protect; which will reflect honor, not only to your head, but to your heart, and future generations will revere your memory. All that we ask, is what justly belongs to us; we ask it not only as a favor, but as a right." - Memorial of the Female Signers of the Several Petitions of Henry A. Hardy and Others, Presented March 1, 1849 to the "Gentleman of the Senate and House of Representatives" by Mary Upton Ferrin.