In honor of National Women’s History Month, we present to you some of the most influential women in our history. We begin with the incomparable Rachel Carson, in whose legacy Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) founded Silent Spring Institute. With strength, intelligence, and compassion she alerted the world to the link between environmental contamination and human health effects including breast cancer. Carson’s influential work as a biologist and her publication of the book Silent Spring launched the global environmental movement. Rachel Carson believed that “in nature, nothing exists alone.”
The same goes for all of us, and without the strong team behind MBCC, we would not be where we are today. The founders and past presidents at MBCC have been local and national leaders for women in the movement toward breast cancer prevention. They have inspired and given other women the courage to be a part of the movement to dispel the myths of breast cancer in order to promote change, and they will be remembered as some of the greatest activists and leaders of our time.
In March and every day afterwards, we invite you to honor the women who have made an impact on our lives in the past and in the present.
Ann Maguire
First Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition President
As the first Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) President and a founding member of both MBCC and Silent Spring Institute, Ann Maguire has been a leader in moving toward breast cancer prevention for many years. MBCC Executive Director, Cheryl Osimo explains, “Ann has been a friend and mentor to many women and she has encouraged them to be a part of the movement toward breast cancer prevention. She is truly a woman of influence and has been an inspiration to women throughout the country.”
Ellen Parker
Second Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition President
Ellen Parker was a founding member of both the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC) and Silent Spring Institute. She has been highly influential in many MBCC and Silent Spring Institute campaigns to end the breast cancer epidemic. Not only did she serve as the second President of MBCC, but she also served as the Chairwoman on the Board of Directors of Silent Spring Institute for two decades. Silent Spring Institute Executive Director Dr. Julia Brody explains, “Ellen Parker is a visionary. The idea behind the creation of Silent Spring Institute — that women need ‘a lab of our own’ to find the environmental links to breast cancer — is right on target and created a guiding light for the entire environmental breast cancer movement.” A great activist, Ellen truly understands what it means to change the legacy of breast cancer for future generations.
Marian Milbauer
Third Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition President
Marian Milbauer recalls her time with the MBCC and proudly states, “It was an honor to serve on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition alongside inspiring activists and visionaries determined to impact breast cancer research and prevention.” Dr. Cathie Ragovin, past MBCC and current Silent Spring Institute Board Member and one of the founders of Silent Spring Institute, says, “Over the years, Marian has devoted significant time and energy to ending the epidemic so our children and grandchildren are not forced to endure the anguish of a breast cancer diagnosis.”
Bev Baccelli
Fourth Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition President
During her time as President, Bev Baccelli brought her passion and skill as a seasoned activist to the movement toward breast cancer prevention. Her talents in organizing and public speaking, along with her resilience and perseverance are unparalleled. Not only did she lead the way on the floors of the statehouse but she also guided and taught others how to work effectively toward change. Silent Spring Institute Executive Director Dr. Julia Brody explains, “Bev Baccelli is a powerhouse of activism plus heart. She reminds us to stay impatient until the breast cancer epidemic is solved once and for all.”
Janis Lippman
Fifth Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition President
While Janis Lippman reflects that “Working towards breast cancer prevention was not easy,” past MBCC and current Silent Spring Institute Board Member Dr. Cathie Ragovin explains, “Janis was an inspirational president who helped us to continue the legacy of Rachel Carson through our work in community education and research on environmental links to breast cancer.” Throughout her time with the organization, Janis helped MBCC staff and supporters realize the words of Rachel Carson when Carson said, “The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders and realities of the universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction.”
Margo Simon Golden
Sixth Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition President
As the current President of MBCC, Margo Simon Golden continues to be the guiding light of our work. Executive Director, Cheryl Osimo, says “Despite living for 15 years with metastatic breast cancer, she keeps our organization strong with her clear vision of what must be done to end this epidemic.” She is committed to obtaining higher environmental standards, advocating for research, and promoting public policy change to reduce exposure to chemicals linked to breast cancer. Margo reminds us that, “Without political action now, our generation will accumulate useful research but do nothing to reduce the high incidence rates of breast cancer.”
More from the Many Inspiring Women in MBCC History:
