Photo couresty of Colette Phillips

Power player: Colette Phillips is being honored at this year’s Abigail Adams awards

Celebrating 31 years of recognizing outstanding women leaders who have demonstrated a firm commitment to advancing the political, economic, and social rights for women, the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus (MWPC) has announced the honorees for the 2018 Tribute to Abigail Adams, according to a press release.

The four Abigail Adams awardees, who will be honored at a ceremony on Oct. 10 at the Fairmont Copley Plaza in Boston, include Dr. Vanessa Calderón-Rosado, CEO of Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (IBA); Geri Denterlein, founder and CEO of Denterlein; Helen Drinan, president of Simmons University; and Colette Phillips, CEO and president of Colette Phillips Communications, Inc. (CPC).

Additionally, Harriette L. Chandler, former president of the Massachusetts Senate, will receive the Dolores L. Mitchell Lifetime Achievement Award for her service to the commonwealth and fierce advocacy for women.

Chaplain Clementina Chéry, co-founder and CEO of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, will receive the Jane M. Swift Commitment to Public Service Award for her dedication to ensuring that all families of homicide victims are treated with dignity and compassion, regardless of the circumstances.

“The MWPC is proud to recognize each of these incredible leaders whose accomplishments span the nonprofit, private, and academic sectors,” said Executive Director Laurie Martinelli in a statement.

“Their work is informed by an understanding of the varying challenges women face in society; and their achievements range from passing legislation focused on advancing gender equality in the commonwealth, to mentoring and empowering individual women to follow in their footsteps,” she said.

Ayanna Pressley, former MWPC board member and Democratic nominee for the Massachusetts 7th Congressional District, will be the night’s featured speaker, while longtime WBZ Radio news reporter Carl Stevens will serve as the master of ceremonies.

The MWPC introduced the Tribute to Abigail Adams in 1988 to recognize women leaders in Massachusetts and their achievements toward parity for women.

Born in Weymouth, Massachusetts, in 1744, Abigail Adams, the second first lady of the United States (married to President John Adams), was one of the earliest women’s advocates with strong beliefs in equal rights for women.

The MWPC’s mission is to recruit, train, and elect more qualified, pro-choice women to public office. Of the 29 first-time candidates that the MWPC PAC endorsed in this election cycle, 25.6 percent of them were women of color. Additionally, 83 percent of the total number of endorsed candidates will move on to the general election in November.

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, and Denterlein are sponsors of the Abigail Adams awards.

Event proceeds will benefit the MWPC Education Fund, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and donations are tax-deductible.

Find out more about the event and purchase tickets here.