2002 Marion R. Vuilleumier | 2003 Jean D. Gardner | 2004 Eugenia Fortes | 2005 Felicia R. Penn | 2006 Bonnie M. Snow | 2007 Lynne M. Poyant | 2008 Josephine P. Ives | 2009 Mary L. LeClair | 2010 Gloria W. Rudman | 2011 Susan A. French | 2012 Judy Walden Scarafile | 2013 Dorothy A. Savarese | 2014 Mary Lou Petitt | 2015 Michelle L. DeSilva | 2016 Ann M. Williams | 2017 Dolores Holden Daluz | 2018 Nancy Viall Shoemaker | 2019 Juliet Bernstein | 2020 Mimi McConnell | 2021 Wendy Northcross | 2022 Angelina Chilaka | Amanda Converse 2023 | Cyndy Jones 2024 | Patti Lloyd 2025 | Shareen Davis 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Shareen Davis is named the Mercy Otis Warren Cape Cod Woman of the Year 2026
May 13, 2026 (Barnstable, MA) –As the nation marks the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Mercy Otis Warren Cape Cod Woman of the Year Committee is proud to announce Shareen Davis of Chatham as the 2026 recipient of this prestigious honor, now celebrating its 25th year recognizing extraordinary women across Cape Cod.
The milestone anniversary offers a timely opportunity to reflect on the enduring legacy of Mercy Otis Warren — the West Barnstable-born writer, political thinker, and advocate whose voice helped shape the nation’s founding ideals.
A thirteenth-generation Cape Codder, Davis is recognized for her leadership in public service, sustainable fisheries, and environmental advocacy. She was nominated by Shanna Nealy for her commitment to protecting Cape Cod’s heritage, working waterfronts, and year-round communities.
“Across all aspects of her work, Shareen Davis exemplifies the qualities that Mercy Otis Warren championed,” wrote nominator Shanna Nealy. “She is a bridge-builder, a listener, and an advocate for the people and places she loves.”
Davis has spent decades advocating for Cape Cod through a unique combination of civic leadership, maritime work, environmental stewardship, and artistic expression. A commercial weir fisher and founding member of the Chatham Harvesters Cooperative, she has helped preserve one of Cape Cod’s oldest sustainable fishing traditions while supporting independent fishermen and strengthening the region’s “Blue Economy.”
Now completing her third term on the Chatham Select Board, Davis has become known as a thoughtful and solutions-driven public servant. Her work has included advancing affordable and attainable housing initiatives, protecting working waterfronts, and preserving access for commercial and recreational fishermen.
Davis is also widely respected as a regional advocate for ocean health and coastal resilience. Her leadership has extended beyond Chatham through service roles such as president of the Cape and Islands Municipal Leaders Association, where she helped bring together municipal leaders around shared regional challenges.
In addition to her public service and environmental work, Davis is an accomplished professional photographer whose work captures the beauty and working life of Cape Cod. She has long supported the arts community and understands the role creativity and culture play in sustaining vibrant communities.
The Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners endorsed the selection of Shareen Davis during their regular meeting held this morning.
Award Ceremony Details
Shareen Davis will be honored on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the historic 1717 Meetinghouse in West Barnstable. A reception will follow, and members of the public are invited to attend. The award, a bronze maquette inspired by the Mercy Otis Warren statue outside the Barnstable Superior Courthouse, is created by Cape Cod artist Elizabeth DeCicco.
Our Thanks
This award is made possible through the support of Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank and Barnstable County. We also extend our thanks to the Cape Cod Times, iHeartRadio, Cape Cod Broadcasting, and Cape Cod’s X for their media support.
About Mercy Otis Warren
Born in West Barnstable in 1728, Mercy Otis Warren was a writer, political thinker, and outspoken advocate for liberty during the American Revolution. As the nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary era, her legacy remains especially relevant. Often called the “First Lady of the American Revolution,” she used her plays, poems, and political writings to support colonial independence and champion civic engagement, including a Bill of Rights. Her legacy continues to inspire this annual award honoring Cape Cod women who demonstrate leadership, service, and community impact.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Patti Lloyd is named the Mercy Otis Warren Cape Cod Woman of the Year 2025
May 7, 2025 (Barnstable, MA) The Mercy Otis Warren Cape Cod Woman of the Year Award Committee is proud to announce Patti Lloyd of Yarmouth Port as the 2025 recipient of this prestigious honor. Known across the region as the face of Cape Cod’s hospitality industry, Patti is recognized for her extraordinary contributions to tourism, business development, and community service spanning over three decades.
Most recently serving as Vice President of Sales for the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, Patti has spent her career promoting Cape Cod to the world. Her leadership helped grow the Cape’s visibility and economy by drawing thousands of motorcoach tours, corporate meetings, and sporting events to the region. Colleagues and friends alike describe her as the “Energizer Bunny”, tirelessly advocating for Cape Cod, from Hyannis to Toronto, Boston to Las Vegas.
In 2024, the American Bus Association introduced the Patti Lloyd Lifetime Volunteer Award, a national honor that will be given annually to recognize outstanding volunteerism in her name. Patti has also received numerous accolades, including the Massachusetts Hospitality Tourism Award from Governor Maura Healey and the Larry Meehan Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to the state’s travel industry.
Beyond her professional achievements, Patti’s heart has always been in service. She has volunteered with organizations such as the American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, Yarmouth Ice Club, CARE for the Cape & Islands, and the St. George Greek Orthodox Church. Her community involvement is matched only by her natural ability to bring people together, whether welcoming new business owners, filling shoeboxes for troops, or encouraging children to fundraise with lemonade stands.
“If you’ve ever been to a tourism trade show, chances are Patti greeted you with a smile and a bag of Cape Cod Potato Chips,” said longtime friend Nancy Travers. “She is Cape Cod’s greatest ambassador – passionate, humble, and endlessly generous.”
“Patti’s legacy is not only what she’s done for Cape Cod – it’s the community she’s built along the way,” said Lynn Williams, a close colleague.
The Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners endorsed the selection of Patti Lloyd during their regular meeting held this morning.
About the Celebration
Patti Lloyd will be honored during a special ceremony on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at 7 p.m. at Tales of Cape Cod, located in the historic Olde Colonial Courthouse at 3046 Main Street, Barnstable Village, MA.
About the Celebration
Patti Lloyd will be honored during a special ceremony on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at 7 p.m. at Tales of Cape Cod, located in the historic Olde Colonial Courthouse at 3046 Main Street, Barnstable Village, MA.
The award, a bronze statuette by Barnstable sculptor David Lewis, replicates the statue of Mercy Otis Warren located outside the Barnstable Superior Courthouse.
Our Thanks
This award is made possible through the support of Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank and Barnstable County. We also extend our thanks to the Cape Cod Times, iHeartRadio, and Cape Cod Broadcasting for their media support.
About Mercy Otis Warren
Born in West Barnstable in 1728, Mercy Otis Warren was a trailblazing playwright, political thinker, and advocate for liberty during the American Revolution. Her legacy inspires this annual award, which honors women on Cape Cod who exemplify the values of civic engagement, leadership, and community spirit.
A full list of past Mercy Otis Warren Cape Cod Woman of the Year Award recipients is available at Past Recipients of the Mercy Otis Warren Woman of the Year Award For more information, visit www.capecod.gov/MOWAward
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cyndy Jones is named the Mercy Otis Warren Cape Cod Woman of the Year 2024
(May 9, 2024) Cape, Cod, MA – The Mercy Otis Warren Cape Cod Woman of the Year Award Committee is delighted to announce Cyndy Jones of Mashpee as the 2024 Mercy Otis Warren Cape Cod Woman of the Year. This prestigious honor recognizes Ms. Jones for her extraordinary dedication to veterans and their families through her nonprofit organization, Heroes in Transition.
After the tragic loss of her son, US Marine Captain Eric Jones, Ms. Jones, alongside her late husband Ken, founded Heroes in Transition. This organization has become essential in providing services not covered by government programs, including emotional support animals and extensive family support programming.
Timothy Whelan, in his nomination, said, “In the wake of their family tragedy, Cyndy and Ken Jones made a conscious decision to take their son’s sacrifice and make something beautiful out of this tragedy by founding a 501(c)(3) non-profit we now know as Heroes in Transition. They well knew Eric’s devotion to the welfare of his Marines and wanted to honor his memory by continuing that devotion in his honor.”
Silene Gordon, who also nominated Ms. Jones, praised her broader community impact: “Cape Cod is incredibly fortunate to have Cyndy Jones of Mashpee serving Barnstable County as a pillar of strength, grace, humility, and community spirit. While Cyndy is widely known for her commitment to supporting veterans on Cape Cod, her commitment to volunteerism and education extends beyond her work with veterans and makes her an exemplary choice to be the Mercy Otis Warren Cape Cod Woman of the Year 2024.”
About the Celebration: The award will be presented to Ms. Jones by last year’s recipient, Amanda Converse, on May 29, 2024, at 7 p.m. at the 1717 Meetinghouse, 2049 Meetinghouse Way in West Barnstable. The award, a bronze statuette created by Town of Barnstable artist David Lewis, replicates the statue of Mercy Otis Warren located on the Superior Court House lawn in Barnstable Village.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Amanda Converse is named the Mercy Otis Warren Cape Cod Woman of the Year 2023
May 10, 2023, Barnstable, MA – Today the Barnstable County Commissioners endorsed Amanda Converse of Marstons Mills as the 2023 Mercy Otis Warren Cape Cod Woman of the Year, recommended by the Mercy Otis Warren Cape Cod Woman of the Year Award Committee.
Each year since 2002, the award honored remarkable women who exemplify the traits of community leadership and who have made a significant contribution to the arts, education, business, community involvement, and volunteerism while embracing the ideals of patriotism. Ms. Converse exemplifies these qualities through her work focusing on sustainability and the Cape Cod economy.
After achieving a master’s degree from George Washington University, Ms. Converse returned home with an ambitious vision and championing the “buy local” cause, advocating for its economic, environmental, and social benefits. Her business improvement initiatives include founding the Current Quarterly, a unique local fashion magazine, and Love Live Local, a nonprofit that holds annual festivals uniting local businesses with consumers. When Covid-19 hit, she helped raise $121K in relief funds for Cape Cod businesses and later became the voice of THIRST, a Massachusetts organization highlighting problems with the lack of payout of business interruption insurance. She has also supported non-profits across Cape Cod, including WE CAN, Cape Wellness Collaborative, Amplify POC and serves as president of the board of trustees of the Hyannis Public Library.
Ms. Converse was nominated this year by Meg Loughran, Cynthia Cole, and Sheryl Baba.
“To say I am humbled to be named the Mercy Otis Warren Cape Cod Woman of the Year would be an understatement. To think of myself in the same group of strong, dedicated, and trailblazing women who have received the award before me is an incredible honor. The Cape Cod community means the world to me, and I can only hope I have made a fraction of the impact on it as it has on me, ” Ms. Converse said.
ABOUT THE CELEBRATION: The award will be presented to Ms. Converse by last year’s recipient, Angelina Chilaka of Harwich, on Flag Day, June 14, 2023, at 7 p.m. at the 1717 Meetinghouse, 2049 Meetinghouse Way in West Barnstable. The award is a bronze statuette sculpted by Town of Barnstable artist David Lewis. It is a replica of the statue of Mercy Otis Warren located on the Superior Court House lawn in Barnstable Village.
The Committee would like to thank its sponsors: Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank, Barnstable County, Tales of Cape Cod, Barnstable Village Association, West Barnstable Civic Association, Cape Cod Media Group, and the Cape Cod Writers Guild, with a special thank you the Cape Cod Chronicle, the Cape Cod Times, the Enterprise Newspapers, and the Provincetown Independent.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Angelina Chilaka Named Mercy Otis Warren Cape Cod Woman of the Year 2022
May 18, 2022, Barnstable, MA– Today, the Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners officially endorsed Angelina Chilaka, a retired educator residing in Harwich, as the 2022 Mercy Otis Warren Cape Cod Woman of the Year recipient. The Mercy Otis Warren Woman of the Year Award Committee recommended Ms. Angelina Chilaka for this Award which recognizes a Cape Cod woman who has made a significant and positive impact in our region.
The Mercy Otis Warren Cape Cod Woman of the Year Award was established in 2002 to annually recognize a woman who exemplifies the traits of leadership in the community and who has made a significant contribution to the arts, education, business or community involvement, and volunteerism while embracing the ideals of patriotism.
Ms. Chilaka was nominated by Karen Boujoukos, also of Harwich.
In her nomination letter, Ms. Boujoukos wrote that as an educator, Ms. Chilaka’s “teaching job gave her a window into the the lives of the students, some of whom were struggling with economic stability in their homes.” She went on to describe Ms. Chilaka’s impact as having had its roots in charitable endeavors to ensure that warm winter clothes and school supplies were provided to students in need. Ms. Chilaka is a volunteer with the American Red Cross, the Harwich Council on Aging, and serves on the Board of Directors for Outer Cape Health Services. She has been a long-time member of the MLK Action Team, a racial justice group of the Nauset Interfaith Association, and through the work of this non-profit she has been instrumental in promoting racial justice.
Ms. Chilaka is also the producer of the Cape Verdean Heritage Oral History Project, a video documentary series. “Mercy Otis Warren, remembered as ‘the historian of the American Revolution,’ would have appreciated Ms. Chilaka’s efforts to record the stories of Cape Verdeans who have woven their stories into the history of Harwich and Cape Cod,” said Award Committee member Ed Maroney.
ABOUT THE CELEBRATION: The award will be presented to Ms. Chilaka by last year’s recipient, Wendy Northcross, on Flag Day, June 14, 2022, at 7:00 PM at the 1717 Meetinghouse, 2049 Meetinghouse Way, West Barnstable, Massachusetts 02668. The award is a bronze statuette sculpted by Marstons Mills artist David Lewis. It is a replica of the statue of Mercy Otis Warren located on the Superior Court House lawn in Barnstable Village.
The event will coincide with the Annual Flag Day community event, a collaboration among the West Barnstable Fire Department, Meetinghouse Farm, and the West Barnstable Civic Association. Residents are invited to embrace a patriotic spirit by participating in both events. Admission to the award ceremony is free, and donations will be accepted.
The Committee would like to thank their sponsors: Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank, Barnstable County, Tales of Cape Cod, Barnstable Village Association, West Barnstable Civic Association, Cape Cod Media Group, and the Cape Cod Writers Guild.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
20th Annual Award Recognizes Community Leadership and Ideals of Patriotism in Barnstable County
May 5, 2021, Barnstable, MA– Today, the Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners officially endorsed Wendy Northcross, residing in West Barnstable, as the 2021 Mercy Otis Warren Cape Cod Woman of the Year recipient. The Mercy Otis Warren Woman of the Year Award Committee recommended Ms. Northcross for this Award that recognizes a Cape Cod woman who has made a significant and positive impact in our region.
The Mercy Otis Warren Cape Cod Woman of the Year Award was established in 2002 to annually recognize a woman who exemplifies the traits of leadership in the community and who has made a significant contribution to the arts, education, business or community involvement, and volunteerism while embracing the ideals of patriotism.
Ms. Northcross, Chief Executive Officer of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, and community activist, received three nominations from Peter Scarafile, Dorothy Savarese, and Elaine Bono.
In his nomination letter, Peter Scarafile stated, “With her strong work ethic and endless hours as a volunteer, she has left her mark on our community. Truly Wendy has made a difference in the lives of the people of Cape Cod, and she is an excellent candidate for the Mercy Otis Warren Cape Cod Woman of the Year Award.”
Nominator Dorothy Savarese wrote that Wendy Northcross has been “a passionate leader on Cape Cod for over 30 years; Wendy embodies each attribute of this esteemed award, including a commitment to volunteerism and community involvement, education, business, and arts and culture.”
Elaine Bono said of Ms. Northcross, “She is a strong advocate for anything Cape Cod. She is not bound by the “politics” of the Chamber of Commerce but by her loyalty and devotion to what is in the best interests of Cape Cod. How refreshing it is for me to see a woman representing Cape Cod and what it stands for!”…” Wendy Northcross personifies Cape Cod, and I enthusiastically nominate her for the Mercy Otis Warren Women of the Year Award 2021.”
Award Committee Member Marcy Burman said, “Perhaps best known for her involvement with the business community as CEO of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Northcross’s impacts on our region are far-reaching. Her achievements include spearheading wastewater planning, helping to establish a Cape-wide transportation plan, and increasing high-speed internet access to our area. She co-founded the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum, a popular tourist attraction in southeastern Massachusetts, and worked tirelessly as a member and President of the Hyannis Rotary Club. Ms. Northcross has also served on the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod, the Town of Barnstable Affordable Housing Growth and Development Trust Fund Board, and the Cape Cod Cooperative Bank, and she’s been a liaison to the Barnstable County Regional Substance Abuse Coalition. Also notable is her participation on the Cape Cod COVID-19 Response Task Force (formerly the Cape Cod Reopening Task Force). The list goes on.”
ABOUT THE CELEBRATION: The Award will be presented to Ms. Northcross by last year’s recipient, Mimi McConnell, on Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at 7:00 PM (subject to COVID regulations) at Tales of Cape Cod, Olde Colonial Courthouse, 3046 Main Street, Barnstable Village. UPDATE: Award ceremony will take place at the 1717 Meetinghouse, 2049 Meetinghouse Way, West Barnstable, Massachusetts 02668. The Award is a bronze statuette sculpted by Marstons Mills artist David Lewis. It is a replica of the statue of Mercy Otis Warren located on the Superior Court House lawn in Barnstable Village. *
The Committee would like to thank their sponsors: Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank, Barnstable County, Tales of Cape Cod, Barnstable Village Association, West Barnstable Civic Association, Cape Cod Media Group, and the Cape Cod Writers Guild.
