Watertown's Sue-Ellen Hershman-Tcherepnin Named 2020 Heroine

WATERTOWN, MA — Watertown's Sue-Ellen Hershman-Tcherepnin was named a 2020 Commonwealth Heroine. Hershman-Tcherepnin is the convener of the Watertown Citizens Refugee Support Group. She was recommended by State Rep. Jonathan Hecht.

The annual Commonwealth Heroines celebration recognizes women from across the state who "perform unheralded acts daily that make our homes, neighborhoods, cities and towns better places to live." State legislators are responsible for recommending women within their districts for the honor.

Professionally, Hershman-Tcherepni is a flutist who has performed with symphonies around the world and teaches at MIT. The refugee support group that Hershman-Tcherepnin works in engages in vigils, cultural celebrations, clothing drives, legislative efforts, film festivals and direct support of Massachusetts refugee families in need.

"Sue-Ellen Hershman-Tcherepnin has led efforts in Watertown to increase awareness of challenges faced by our immigrant and refugee neighbors and to build trust between immigrants

and the police," the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, which gives out the honor, wrote.