Elise Woodward Named Concord's 2021 Honored Citizen

CONCORD, MA — Concord announced this year's Honored Citizen award will go to Elise Woodward.

Woodward has served Concord for 30 years in several capacities including on school, church, town, library, and Emerson Umbrella committees. In the announcement, the town commended Woodward's steady character, commitment, integrity of purpose, and reassuring demeanor.

As her children moved through the school system, Woodward was a member of the Willard and middle school PTGs, and the middle school and high school advisory councils.

In 1995, Woodward started her service in town committees and councils. While serving on the Select Board from 2009 to 2015 she oversaw the purchase of the McGrath Farm.

Outside town politics, Woodward served the Trinitarian Congregational Church community as a member of the Mission and Property Committees and currently is a member of the Library expansion building committee and Chair of its Sustainability Committee.

The town said her most notable accomplishment was becoming the Chair of the Building Committee for The Umbrella Center for the Arts multi-million dollar re-modeling and expansion project (2017 – 2020).

“I am proud of how that turned out,” admitted Elise, “but I am also proud of the energy efficient high school and the work that went into the recommendations of the Comprehensive Long Range Plan for Concord’s future well-being.”

“Don’t discount the fact that Elise’s service to her community has occurred all while she maintained her career at the architectural firm Shepley Bulfinch,” shared Kathy Takvorian. “Elise was on its board of directors for nine years, including four terms as board chair. Elise is a model of service to professional women and men.”