2016 – Wendy Bawabe
“Wendy is thrilled and humbled to be chosen as Norwell’s Citizen of the Year! Her initial reaction was disbelief but upon reflection said, “I am so happy to be in the company of the other Citizens of the Year who have made Norwell the town I love. Thank you to the Chamber for this wonderful honor.”
Bio:
Wendy Bawabe has lived in Norwell since 1994—she is very clear to everyone that this doesn’t begin to qualify her as a true “townie” because you need to be born in Norwell to have that distinction (not at South Shore Hospital, mind you, but in Norwell proper). Wendy is, however, proud to be friends with a number of actual townies who have told her numerous stories, and it is mostly because of these wonderful people that she has grown to love the history of her adopted hometown.
She joined the Norwell Historical Society and it was at the Society that she fell hopelessly in love with the history of this town. She reluctantly became president of the Society in 2009 and has never regretted it for a day! The culmination of her work at the Society may have happened on the evening of November 12, 2010: the Book Release Party for Sam Olson’s A Narrative of South Scituate & Norwell and Gert Daneau’s The ABCs of Norwell. Seeing hundreds of Norwell residents gather at the Cushing Center to celebrate these two special people and the history of our town was a lifetime highlight for her!
Wendy was appointed to the Norwell Historical Commission and served as Secretary and Chair, and she helped to create the biennial Historic House Tour.
Wendy has been a member of the James Library & Center for the Arts Board of Directors for many years and Chair of the Board for the past three years. She oversaw the Strategic Planning process for the James and last year she spear-headed the search for a new Executive Director.
Wendy has left her mark on many political campaigns, town initiatives, and other projects—usually through her graphic design work. She was happy to offer her services to the following wonderful organizations: Norwell Special Education Parents Advisory Committee, UCC Norwell; the New Nursery School; the Friends of Gaffield Park; Vinal, Cole, Norwell Middle, and Norwell High School PTOs; Norris Reservation; Norwell Scholastic Arts Society; Chapman Farm School; Norwell High School Athletic Hall of Fame; Norwell Affordable Housing Trust; Norwell SummerFest; Norwell VNA and Hospice; Temple Sha’aray Shalom; and the Norwell Women’s Club.
Steadfastly by Wendy’s side throughout all of this activity has been her children Ralph and Sarah, and her husband, Dan—financier, sheep farmer, and general calming influence.
Mariner article: http://norwell.wickedlocal.com/article/20160514/NEWS/160518111/