Watertown’s Jane O’Connor will receive an award for her work that helped found school in Dorchester and Rwanda.
Born and raised in Watertown, Jane O’Connor has spread her work as an educator across the globe, and will receive an honor previously bestowed to Boston Police Commissioner William Evans and actor and peace and justice activist Martin Sheen.
After being principal in the Watertown Public Schools for 24 years – at Cunniff Elementary School and Watertown Middle School – O’Connor worked to help at risk students in Boston, and took part in starting a school for girls in rural Africa. Her work will be recognized by the Paulist Center Community, which will present her with the Isaac Hecker Award for Social Justice at a ceremony in Boston on Saturday, Nov. 18.
A group from Boston was interested in setting up a school for girls in an area of Rwanda that was hard hit by the 1996 genocide, and invited O’Connor to be a part of the effort.
“I’ve been traveling back and fourth since they opened in 2008,” O’Connor said. “I am very proud of what we have accomplished there.”
The Maranyundo School educates girls in middle and high school in the town of Nyamata, located in the region of Bugesera. Education in Rwanda was devastated during the genocide, O’Connor said, when the country lost about 90 percent of its teachers. And education for girls has not been a priority.
“In this country, and many other African countries, if a family has money it is the boy who goes to school,” O’Connor said.
The school educates 440 girls, and when O’Connor went to Rwanda earlier this month she attended the school’s first high school graduation.
“Many complete six years there,” O’Connor said. “The school is strong in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). After the graduate hopefully they go on to college.”
She has always received help in her endeavors from people in Watertown.
“I have had a couple fund raisers, and I appreciate all the help I have received from people in the Watertown,” O’Connor said. “The community has come together several times for me when I have asked.”
On this trip, O’Connor went with several other women, including her one of her daughters, Erin Macomber, and Shannon Lawn, a member of the Watertown Housing Authority and wife of State Rep. John Lawn.
They brought with them clothing for the school, including sports uniforms and other clothing for the girls at the school. O’Connor said she got a “very good price” on the clothes from Paul DerBoghosian of Graphic Connections. They also brought toys and clothes for a nearby orphanage that was started by a Pennsylvania woman.
“There were seven of us on the trip and we brought 21 bags,” she said.
O’Connor also does work closer to home. She helped start the Mother Caroline Academy and Educational Center in Boston.
“It is a tuition free school in Dorchester, grades 4-8, for young women in the inner city,” O’Connor said. “It has a 100 percent graduation rate and most, about 90 percent, go on to college.”
When she received a call telling her that she was chosen to get the Isaac Hecker Award the award, O’Connor said she wasn’t sure if they had the right person. She is a member of the Paulist Center Community and she knew that the award goes to a Catholic person from somewhere in North America. See the list of prior recipients here.
“Past recipients are people whose name you would recognize, so it was quite a shock. Very humbling,” O’Connor said. “I don’t see myself as anyone special. I am someone who does what they can to help others.”
Wonderful, Jane.
I’m not surprised.
Congratulations Jane !
So pleased you are receiving recognition for all your good works !
Congratulations Mrs. O’Connor! You are doing so many wonderful things for these children! What a blessing.
You are an amazing woman, I am so happen you were chosen for this award!
I’m so happy to know that Jane O’Connor is to be the recipient of this award!!
Certainly a very well deserved honor for such an amazing woman and mentor. Congratulations, Jane!
So inspiring … what a wonderful way to spend one’s life ….
Congratulations Jane! You were always a gift to education. Well deserved.
Jane,so happy that your hard work has been recognized.
You are a role model for all of us that our gifts can be shared into our senior years.
Educating young women changes the world!
May God continue to bless your work.
So deserving for my former kindergarten teacher. She is such a great person! Congratulations Jane!!
You’re so deserving of this, Jane. Congratulations!
Congratulations Jane. So well deserved.
Congratulations Jane!
Congratulations Jane!! Well deserved!!!
Ongratulations, Jane! A great honor well deserved!
Congratulations!!!
Congratulations Jane! Your big heart and amazing dedication to helping others deserve
this recognition.
Congratulations Jane!! This does not surprise me!!!
Congratulations to you Jane for all your work here and abroad!
You are so deserving of this award!
What a wonderful article to read about such a wonderful person! You are such an inspiration Jane— congratulations on receiving this well deserved award.
Well deserved award to a wonderful educator and human being.
Congratulations, Jane! Best wishes for lots of good health and happiness to enjoy the many worthy accolades with family and friends. AXIA!!!
Warm regards,
Angie Kounelis
Congratulations Jane–what a wonderful story. I knew you were involved with Mother Caroline Academy & in Rwanda—but never knew the entire story. How inspiring ! Your work in Watertown Schools was outstanding ,also. All the best to you . Enjoy all the accolades. Mary Keenan
Such wonderful news, Jane. It’s always nice to know when one’s hard work and dedication bring such positive results.
This is an honor you richly deserve, Jane! You have touched so many lives and helped others in ways you can’t imagine. I’m glad to know you!
Congratulations Jane. So nice to see all your hard work acknowledged and appreciated. Well deserved accolades for a remarkable woman.
Thank you so much for all of the warm wishes , congratulations and generous support! I am sincerely grateful. This award truly belongs to all who respond to the needs of others, at home and across the globe!