4 Local 'Heroes' To Be Recognized By Waltham Democrats

WALTHAM, MA — Four local heroes will be celebrated in May by the Waltham Democratic City Committee, the group said this week.

Each year, the Heroes Awards recognize people and institutions that “distinguish themselves by serving our community, promoting democratic values and making Waltham a great city in which to live,” according to a news release.

The committee said the 17th annual awards will go to:

• Clarence Richardson, a longtime Democratic leader in the city who has also provided counsel for many local nonprofits. A “widely recognized figure all over Waltham,” he has served as the first Massachusetts executive director of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, which assists families caring for older people.
• Nadene Stein, an educator retiring after nearly 25 years of service to Waltham Public Schools. She started out as the principal of Northeast Elementary and rose to become assistant superintendent of pupil services. Among her accolades, the WDCC credited her for focusing on the needs of students with disabilities – and for being “highly active” throughout the community.
• Waltham Educators Association, the local union representing over 900 teachers, education professionals and other school staff. The union has done “a phenomenal job” assisting Waltham students and their families over the past year, including in matters related to the local presence of ICE.
• The Waltham Times, a digital newspaper founded in 2024 and lauded by the WDCC as “a true voice for informed democracy.” The paper operates as a nonprofit. Like other news media such as Patch, the Waltham Times has responded to a growing interest in local journalism – especially as larger outlets have shut down or consolidated.

The committee will present the 2026 Heroes Awards at an event on Sunday, May 3, and more information is available here.