Silent Spring Institute celebrated its 20th anniversary with an event held on May 15th at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Falmouth. Advocates, activists, scientists, and concerned citizens statewide joined together to recognize a shared legacy of breast cancer prevention and to honor the milestone anniversary of Silent Spring Institute. The event was hosted by Matt Pitta, Managing Editor and Morning Anchor, WXTK Radio, and Cheryl Osimo, Executive Director, Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition and Co-Founder, Silent Spring Institute.
At the event, Silent Spring Institute and Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition premiered a special 20th Anniversary video that highlighted a history of advocacy, scientific research, and community outreach. To view the video, please click below or watch the video on Youtube directly.
The event also included a panel discussion which featured:
- Ruthann Rudel, Senior Scientist and Director of Research, Silent Spring Institute
- Laurel Schaider, PhD, Research Scientist, Silent Spring Institute
- David Dow, Environmental Activist; Treasurer, Sierra Club of Cape Cod & Islands
- Betty Anne Bevis, Breast Cancer Activist
Julia Brody, PhD, Executive Director and Senior Scientist of Silent Spring Institute gave a keynote on environmental influences and breast cancer. She reflected upon the 20 year history of Silent Spring Institute, what we know now, and what we need to know in order to eradicate the environmental causes of breast cancer.
The evening concluded with an award ceremony. Special guest Ann Maguire, Co-Founder and first President of the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition and Co-Founder of Silent Spring Institute received a State Senate official Citation, a House of Representative official citation, and the Globe Award honoring her contributions.
Congressman Bill Keating presented a official Congressional citation to Silent Spring Institute for their work. Congressman Keating himself was presented an award of appreciation from the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition and Silent Spring Institute.
Silent Spring Institute and the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition recognized that it is with the support of many that both organizations are able to continue their work towards breast cancer prevention. In light of this, special appreciation awards were awarded to many. During the event, several individuals were recognized and honored for their advocacy, activism, and for their support. Awards were given to:
Reverend Robert Francis Murphy
Unitarian Universalist Parish Minister, Environmental Justice Advocate
J. William Murphy
Founder, Cape Cod Charitable FunRaiser, Inc.
Beverly Baccelli
Third President, Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition
Co-Founder, Silent Spring Institute
Gerry Swift
Treasurer, Board of Directors
Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition
Nancy M. Swift
Awarded posthumously, Accepted by Gerry Swift
Advocate, Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition
Co-Founder, Silent Spring Institute
David Dow
Lifelong Environmental Advocate, Founder, Sierra Club, Cape Cod Group
Silent Spring Institute Public Advisory Committee Member
Mark R. Forest
In recognition of the outstanding constituent services you provided representing our Former Congressmen – Gerry E. Studds and Bill Delahunt
Former Congressman Gerry E. Studds
Awarded posthumously, Accepted by Mark Forest
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
In recognition of your support and success in boosting federal funding for breast cancer research.
Former Congressman Bill Delahunt
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
In recognition of your strong support for the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition and Silent Spring.
Congressman Bill Keating
In recognition of your strong support for the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition and Silent Spring.
John Klimm
Founding Father, Silent Spring Institute
Former State Representative Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Senate President Therese Murray
Accepted by Lance Lambros
Senator, Plymouth and Barnstable
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Senator Daniel Wolf
Accepted by Lance Lambros
Senator, Hyannis
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Ann Macguire
C0-Founder and First President of the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition
Co-Founder of Silent Spring Institute
State Senate official citation, the House of Representative official citation, and the Globe Award