Front row, left to right: Danielle McFadden of Lowell (nominated by state Rep. Rodney Elliott), Deborah “Debbie” Callery of Lowell (nominated by state Sen. Ed Kennedy), Sreyvan Nget of Lowell (nominated by state Rep. Vanna Howard), and Diana Santana of Lowell (nominated by state Rep. Tara Hong). Back row, from, left to right: State Rep. Tara Hong; Sydney Steinberg, Communications Director for state Sen. Ed Kennedy; state Rep. Vanna Howard; and state Rep. Rodney Elliott.

A quartet of Lowellians were feted on Beacon Hill yesterday, as the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women hosted the 22nd Annual Commonwealth Heroines Celebration.

Each year, state legislators have an opportunity to nominate a woman from their community who make outstanding contributions to their organizations and in their communities. The fantastic four receiving nods from the Mill City were Debbie Callery, Danielle McFadden, Sreyvan Nget and Diana Santana.

Callery, nominated by State Senator Ed Kennedy, has been a tireless presence at the Merrimack Valley Food Bank. She joined the organization more than 20-years ago, assuming the role of Assistant Executive Director in August of 2010. She was named Executive Director in May of 2022.

She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce, on the Executive Board of the Non-Profit Alliance, and is an active participant in the Lowell Hunger and Homeless Commission.

McFadden is the proud President of the Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce, a position she has held for 14 years and continues to embrace with passion and dedication.

Nominated by 16th Middlesex State Representative Rodney Elliott, she is also a candidate for the Lowell School Committee At-Large in 2025, reflecting her commitment to education and community service.

As a lifelong resident of Lowell, a single mother of three, and an advocate for mental health and special needs support in schools, Danielle champions initiatives that contribute to a stronger and more inclusive community. Her tireless efforts and dedication to serving others continuously inspire those around her.

As a marketing enthusiast, Danielle specializes in assisting small businesses that aim to create or enhance their marketing strategies, often on a modest budget — which can mean virtually no budget at all.

Deeply devoted to the Greater Lowell community, Danielle serves on several boards, including: Vice President of the Merrimack Valley Food Bank, Acting Chair of the Greater Lowell Workforce Development Board, Member of Middlesex Community College’s Corporate and Community Education and Training Advisory Board, Past President of the Massachusetts Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (MACCE), Board Member of the New England Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (NEACCE).

Throughout her career, Danielle has been honored with numerous accolades, including: Merrimack Valley Business Magazine’s (MVB) 40 Under 40 (2012), University Young Alumni Award from UMass Lowell (2013), Community Action Award in the Social Media category from Community Teamwork Inc. (2013), Lowell Catholic High School’s St. Margaret Distinguished Graduate Award (2017), Lifetime Achievement Award from Lowell TeleMedia (2020), Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) 40 Under 40 (2021).

Santana is a specialized family and supportive services manager at the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.

Nominated by 18th Middlesex State Representative Tara Hong, she is a board member for Lowell’s Latinx Community Center for Empowerment (LCCE), and serves as a commissioner on the Lowell Hunger and Homeless Commission.

Nget, the nominee of 17th Middlesex State Representative Vanna Howard, embodies community service.

She serves on multiple community boards, is an ambassador between the Coalition for a Better Acre and the local community, and works as an intake specialist at Catholic Charities in Lowell, where she registers new clients and assists them with food, clothes and other basic needs.

She is described by Howard as always ready to lend a hand to her neighbors, no matter how small the task, simply driven by a desire to be of service, approaching every situation with positive energy, and radiant smile.