June 23, 2022

BOSTON, MA – Representative Antonio F. D. Cabral (D-New Bedford) has nominated Dr. Cynthia Roy for the 2022 “Commonwealth Heroine” award, an honor she received at yesterday’s 19^th annual ceremony hosted by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. Dr. Roy was recognized alongside her fellow nominees in Commonwealth Heroines Class of 2022. These women use their time, talent, and enthusiasm to uplift their community without seeking recognition or reward for themselves.

Dr. Cynthia Roy is a professional educator and an organizer and activist from New Bedford, MA. As a recent recipient of a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and a member of the MTA Executive Committee, Cynthia is the co-founder of the New Bedford Coalition to Save Our Schools (NBCSOS), a grassroots educational justice organization committed to racial and economic justice that has been very effective in organizing the community, protecting public resources, and advocating for responsive and quality public schools. Through their afterschool SOUL (Students Organizing for Unity and Liberation) Academy and their teacher workshops, NBCSOS is working to tackle systemic racism in our school systems from the classroom up. Cynthia is a fervent supporter of quality public education and believes that true social change begins in the halls of our traditional public schools. With the NBCSOS, Cynthia organized the community and rallied the “people power” which was instrumental in halting the expansion of another charter school in New Bedford and Fall River.

“Dr. Cynthia Roy has led by example. Cynthia is often out walking her neighborhood and bringing her message directly to the young people who need to hear it,” said Rep. Cabral. “Every day she is modeling active civic engagement – and our community is very fortunate to benefit from her dedication and commitment. I am proud to see her work and commitment to public education and the children, faculty and staff who walk those halls every day be recognized statewide.”