Beneath bright lights and equally bright smiles, the Brookline Commission for Women (BCW) presented the 2025 Brookline Women of the Year on Wednesday, March 26 in Hunneman Hall atop the Brookline Public Library. The ceremony spotlighted the everyday heroism of three women: Chief Jennifer Paster, Brookline’s first female Chief of Police; Jessica Chicco, staff attorney at the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition; and Anne Meyers, the Chair of the Economic Development Advisory Board of Brookline.
Each winner gave short remarks about their journey, preceded by reflections from last year’s honorees. The speeches touched upon the themes of continuing the pursuit of achievement, advocacy and improvement. These strengthen what Mindy Paulo, Director of English Language Education for the Public Schools of Brookline and a 2024 Woman of the Year, called a “sisterhood of changemakers.”
Chicco mentioned similar ideas in her speech—not only was the celebration treated as an opportunity to look backwards, but also as a means of looking forward to lasting change. Chicco, who has spent 18 years working in immigration law and justice, said the recognition she received is a reminder of the work so many others like her continue to do.
“I took this opportunity to say, ‘Great, you think this work is wonderful and deserves recognition, come join us, come do the work alongside me,’” Chicco said.
Roberta Falke, a town meeting member of Precinct 7, said she appreciated the evening’s freshness and positivity. She was one of Chicco’s nominators and said she was elated to see Chicco and her accomplishments celebrated. This was her second year attending the event, and according to her, after last year’s ceremony, it was easy to stay close to the entire process.
“They’re great people,” Falke said. “We all need good, happy events, as many as we can nowadays.”
According to Elizabeth Stillman, Chair of the BCW, selections start with a nomination process in January. The commission posts a public survey using QR codes and kiosks throughout the town, and after about a month, they collect the data to be reviewed.
Stillman said there are a few things the BCW looks for in a Woman of the Year: women with ties to Brookline, commitment to make Brookline a better place and determination to uplift underrepresented voices.
There haven’t always been three winners. Stillman said one of the effects of COVID was forcing the commission to reconsider who, or how many, they recognize.
“We used to only honor one person,” Stillman said. “During COVID, we decided that there were so many more people doing so much work that we needed to honor more people. So we’ve been honoring both more individuals and sometimes groups.”
Chicco underscored the challenges of recognizing only a few out of so many. When asked about who has inspired or led her throughout her journey, she said it was hard to pinpoint a single person.
“The truth is that in immigration legal services, it’s a bunch of kick-ass women. They just work so hard, and they believe in what they do so much that I don’t know if I could point to one,” Chicco said.
At the end of her speech, Chicco gave some advice to young women striving for success and change. Her approach flips the process around: By finding meaning and fulfillment, success will follow.
“Don’t strive for achievement and success. Strive for doing something that you find meaningful and rewarding and that is a good match to what you think your strengths are,” Chicco said. “Because that’s what is going to bring you happiness. And then success will come, or maybe your happiness is your success.”
