Pat Costello – Unsung Heroine

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W e see heroes in our local papers and on the news almost every day. They are typically someone who has performed a brave act or gone above and beyond the call of duty; the fireman who runs back into a burning house to save a family’s beloved pet or the bystander who was witness to a car accident and performed CPR on the victim until the emergency personnel arrived. These people greatly deserve the recognition and praise they receive for their heroic actions. But there are those who better our communities behind the scenes that we don’t ever hear about. This is why I was extremely proud to nominate Pat Costello as an Unsung Heroine through the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women.

Pat is the type of woman every community should have. A long-time community advocate and volunteer, Pat currently dedicates most of her time to helping others in her hometown of Lexington. She is currently the Co-Chair of the Selectman’s Tax Exemption and 7Deferral Advisory Committee, a group that works on issues regarding local property tax relief for seniors and other qualifying groups. Pat also keeps abreast of the most current state legislation regarding income limits and benefit amounts and undertakes the tedious task of updating the town’s tax deferral literature throughout the year for her fellow residents.

Pat is a volunteer with the AARP’s tax preparation program. Each year she takes a multi-day exam to be certified and then volunteers many hours of her time at the Lexington Senior Center helping seniors prepare their tax returns. While Pat’s time may seem to be consumed with tax law, she is also an active member of the League of Women Voters and can be seen around town in the summer in a bonnet and period dress in her role as a guide on the Liberty Ride and in Lexington’s Historic Houses.

The Unsung Heroines are women who don’t make the news but make the difference. They are the women who use their time, talent, and enthusiasm to enrich the lives of others and make a difference in our neighborhoods, cities and towns. They are mentors, volunteers, and innovators who do what needs to be done without the expectation of recognition or gratitude. These women are the glue that keeps a community together, and every community has them.

Pat is an exceptional woman, and I am truly grateful for all that she does to make Lexington a better place for those that live there. I was thrilled to hear that she was chosen as an Unsung Heroine and that she is getting the recognition she deserves for all her hard work.