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Inc. honoree praises quiet heroism of single parents As the 13th recipient, she promised to consider the number her lucky one now. Frederick, the executive director of Community Teamwork Inc., rose from the difficulties of life as a single mother, abandoned with four sons under age 6, to the top of the social services profession. She has become known as one of this area's most admired and successful career women. "As I look around," she told the crowd of more than 165 guests, "I know this is about all of us here, and how we help each other in our life journeys. I accept this award also in honor of the many single parents who are the financial and emotional supports of their families, who every day work one and sometimes two jobs and then go home to the critically important job of raising their families." She has seen how many deal with difficult situations every day, calling them "quiet heroes" who work hard to give their children what they need, first to survive, and then to thrive. As for herself, she said, she was fortunate to have "family, friends, colleagues who were there with a hand every time I needed it. I learned that the more I could give, the more I got back in return." With all her support, she said, "One of the hardest things I ever had to do was ask for help, and to accept it when I needed it." She praised Girls Inc. for instilling independence in its young members and their families, "showing them the possibilities that life holds." She singled out for praise family members present: her mother, Kathryn Nastasia, brother David Nastasia, sister Elaine Zaminsky, sons Brian, Daniel, Gregory and Matthew, ages 18 to 24 now and each 6 feet 4 inches or taller, and her partner-in-life Peter Cicco. In her introduction, Girls Inc. executive director Carol Duncan told Frederick's inspiring story. Frederick's resume is long and studded with good works, affiliations with many institutions, ranging from politics to education, from Lowell General Hospital to the Greater Lowell Boys and Girls Club and she has been honored by many organizations. Afterward, against the backdrop of a buffet supper and jazz by Miles Donahue, friends and well-wishers besieged Frederick with congratulations. Carolyn Gregoire and Susan Mitchell were co-chairmen of the party. Annually, this is a gathering where joy is shared by past recipients, former club members and fans of Girls Inc. Enjoying themselves were George Duncan, Mary and Walter Dawson, Naomi Prendergast, Lisa Couture, Pat and John Crane, Robert and Mary Johnson-Lally, Iris and Charles Sarantos, Effie Dragon, Alison Kalman, Monique and Alan Garrell, Susan Gath Koerber, Jeanne Osborn, Mary Lou Keenan, Ann Marie Bisson, James Waldo, Bob and Hilde Gilman, Niki Tsongas, Suzanne Dion, Peter and Marina Schell, Clementine Alexis, Kate and Steve Gendron, Maureen and Steve Gervais, Sharon Shelton, Marie Sweeney, Bill Lipchitz, Stella and Dr. Michael Athanasoulas, Nancy and Dick Donahue, Eileen Donoghue and John O'Connor, Deborah Finch, Joan Benfey, Margaret Perez, Charlene Urbanek, Henry Marchand ... Also, Usha Chattenjee, Steve and Nancy Joncas, Brenda Costello, Monica Kanellas, Kathleen Stewart, Catherine O'Donnell, Heather and Tom Kirwin, Christie Cleaver, Elizabeth Cannon, Pat Brousseau, Christine DeFeo, Betsey Shanley, Martha Childs, Bob Gregoire, Richard and Donna Main, Jim Campanini, Anne Prior, Caroline Rider, Renee Romanowsky, Lura Smith, Dr. Carole Cowan, Ed and Germaine Trudel, Michael and Susan LaRoche, Melanie Croix, Anne Pollard, Nels and Peggy Palm, Shannon Murphy, John and Linda Chemaly, Michael Gallagher, Dick Cavanaugh, Anabel and Jim Milinazzo, Michael Lally, James Cook, Rosemary and Peter Aucella, Mike McDonough, Jim Cooney, Bill Reis.
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