FITCHBURG, Mass. — Emily MacRae, the executive director of the North Central Massachusetts Faith Based Community Coalition, was selected as one of this year’s Commonwealth Heroines for delivering more than 2,000 meals a month during the pandemic from the Montachusett Community Branch YMCA.

The Commonwealth Heroine awards are issued by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women every June. The coalition partners with state legislators who select one woman in their district who doesn’t make the news, but makes a difference.

MacRae was nominated by State Senator John Cronin, who gave her the award during a ceremony at the Montachusett Community Branch YMCA.

“I nominated her because of her devotion to others and her commitment to bringing our most vulnerable community members through the pandemic,” said Cronin. “It was really unmatched through the community.”

Prior to the pandemic, MacRae and her team had been providing 200 meals a month from the Montachusett Y to the elderly, those struggling financially and individuals living in temporary housing. Once the pandemic hit, MacRae rose to the occasion, dishing out 2,000 nourishing meals a month to those in need. 

“This is a remarkable example of a normal person in our community doing extraordinary things to meet the moment and make sure we didn’t leave anything behind over the last 18 months,” said Cronin.

MacRae wasn’t available for comment. Cronin says she didn’t want the attention after she received the award — another testament to her selfless nature.

“When I told Emily that I was nominating her for this award, the first thing she did was give credit to the other people who were on her team who were as committed to this mission as she is,” explained Cronin. “I think this is really a credit to how selfless she is, and again, why she is a perfect Commonwealth Heroine. She doesn’t want attention, she doesn’t want credit —she just wants to serve others.”