Nancy Stone Lennhoff Named 2020 Commonwealth Heroine

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — North Andover's Nancy Stone Lenhoff was recognized as a 2020 Commonwealth Heroine, Wednesday. Lennhoff was honored for her work supporting people with substance abuse disorders, and those in their lives, including through the Wheels of Hope pilot program that transport Merrimack Valley people to detox and treatment facilities.

The annual Commonwealth Heroines celebration recognizes women from across the state who "perform unheralded acts daily that make our homes, neighborhoods, cities and towns better places to live." State legislators are responsible for recommending women within their districts for the honor. Lennhoff was nominated by state Rep. Tram Nguyen.

:Nancy Lennhoff is recognized for her work to actualize Wheels of Hope, a pilot transportation program to bring people of the Merrimack Valley to treatment for substance use disorder," the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, which gives out the honor, wrote. "She and her teammates from the Merrimack Valley Project (MVP) obtained funding by advocating for an amendment to the FY2020 State Budget. She then worked with Health Resources in Action and Lucos Transportation to develop the program, which now functions to narrow this critical gap in services."

Lennhoff is also a member of the North Parish of North Andover Unitarian Universalist community, "where she offers a Serenity Drop In to support those impacted by another's substance use disorder," the Commission adds.

"She was one of members to research and coordinate Hidden in Plain Sight: The Unexamined History of a New England Town & Parish, an installation that brings forth less flattering but important aspects of the church history. Nancy is a retired scientist, wife, and mother of two adult sons."