About Yolanda Rivera
Yolanda Rivera, a dedicated educator and advocate, served families for over 20 years, spending 12 years at EPH. Yolanda was a creative, inspiring, and compassionate member of her community who went above and beyond to support those in need. While Yolanda is no longer with us, her spirit at EPH is remembered by a bench and mural dedicated to her in our backyard at 277 Broadway and in our hearts daily.
EPH decided in 2023 to establish the Yolanda Rivera Community Spirit Award to honor her tireless work and commitment to improving the lives of children and families in our community. Each year, this award is presented to a person or group that embodies these same qualities: an educator, a fierce advocate for children and their caregivers, or a community member committed to uplifting and empowering others.
2026 HONOREE
Senator Pat Jehlen
Senator Patricia Jehlen represents the Second Middlesex district which includes Medford, Somerville and parts of Winchester and Cambridge. She was a teacher and served as a Somerville School Committee member and state representative before being elected to the Senate in 2005. One of her top legislative priorities is and has always been equitable and excellent education. Senator Jehlen serves as the Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Aging and Independence as well as Senate Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Education.
She was among the founders of the CHOICE program, a public school alternative elementary program, which has continued and expanded for almost 30 years. She helped found the Council for Fair School Finance, which brought the successful lawsuit which led to Massachusetts’ education reform of 1993 and brought hundreds of millions of dollars in new state aid to communities.
Senator Jehlen helped lead the fight to increase the minimum wage, to target tax cuts towards working families by increasing the earned income tax credit and child care credit, and to increase the senior circuit breaker. She also worked on taking away the MCAS as a high school graduation requirement to help remove barriers for students. She continues to fight for universal and affordable health care and jobs with decent wages and benefits, including earned sick time. She is also the lead sponsor of multiple housing bills that if passed, will help keep more people housed and provide stability.
2025 Honoree
Boston Alumnae Club of Pi Beta Phi
In 2023, the Bostonian Alumnae Club of Pi Beta Phi selected Elizabeth Peabody House (EPH) for a $2,000 literacy grant to buy books and school supplies. In 2024, the club selected EPH for a second literacy grant of $3,000. The two organizations also agreed to collaborate on an ambitious new project: a Lending Library for the EPH community. Members of Pi Beta Phi help EPH sort, organize, and catalog the EPH book inventory. They also assist with creating a space where community members can browse and borrow books. The Bostonian Alumnae Club selected EPH for a third literacy grant in 2025. This most recent award paid for $2,000 worth of new books for the Lending Library. Pi Beta Phi’s ongoing support has been crucial in EPH’s efforts to expand access to diverse, age-appropriate books for EPH students and their families. Pi Beta Phi sisters continue to organize regular member volunteer days to work on the project. To date, Club members have invested approximately 175 hours of work scanning, sorting, and shelving books.
2024 HONOREE
Nomi Davidson
Nomi Davidson was the Director and co-founder of the Somerville Family Learning Collaborative (SFLC), the Family and Community Engagement Department of the Somerville Public Schools. For the past 40 years, her work spanned many domains, leading multiple cross-sector partnerships and creating innovative systems to support educational equity and community engagement in Somerville. She has also designed and led many public/private partnerships serving young children and families in collaboration with the Somerville Public Schools, the City of Somerville, community-based programs and local universities. She has worked as a teacher, childcare director, social worker, advocate, and program administrator. Her work in early childhood education includes leadership roles in community-based organizations, family literacy initiatives, and public school settings. Nomi holds an M.S.W. and an M Ed. Degree with a specialization in early childhood education.
2023 HONOREE
Marianne Walles
Marianne Walles was born and raised in Somerville. Where she continues to reside with her husband and two sons. Marianne worked her way through school to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Women Studies and a Masters in Counseling Psychology . Marianne has been a social worker for the 35 years by which 25 years of those years have been at the Department of Children and Families. Throughout her life Marianne has been a stronger advocate for equity, equality for people in her community and beyond. She is passionate making sure that no one’s especially those marginalized voices are not left behind. Marianne has participated in many service projects that include food pantry drives, advocacy for shelter placements, and much more!
