Arlington Department of Health & Human Services Director Christine Bongiorno Receives Commonwealth Heroine Award

ARLINGTON — The Arlington Department of Health and Human Service is pleased to share that Director Christine Bongiorno was recently honored as a Commonwealth Heroine by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women.

On Wednesday, June 22, Director Bongiorno was presented the award alongside 120 other honorees at a ceremony at the Venezia in Dorchester. She was nominated for the award by Senator Cindy F. Friedman (D-Arlington) for her positive impact on the community and for dedicating her life to service.

“When the nominations for Commonwealth Heroines came out I immediately thought of Christine as the perfect nominee,” said Sen. Friedman. “Her work during the pandemic to support and provide services for people not only in Arlington but across the Commonwealth was unparalleled. Christine is one of Arlington’s greatest assets, and she deserves every bit of this recognition as a member of the Commonwealth Heroines Class of 2022.”

For the past two years, Director Bongiorno led a team that worked tirelessly to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, the team coordinated food delivery and distribution of masks to residents in need, enforcement of COVID-19 protections, contact tracing, and testing and vaccination efforts, both at clinics as well as in-home vaccinations for home-bound residents.

“I am so thrilled to receive this designation alongside so many other talented, dedicated, professional and passionate women,” Bongiorno said. “It is a true honor to be recognized.”

Director Bongiorno is passionate about improving community mental health services and support to residents in need.

In addition to overseeing the Health Department, she also is responsible for Veterans Services, the Council on Aging, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and the Youth Counseling Center.

Each year, the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women recognizes women from Massachusetts communities who perform unheralded acts on a daily basis that make their homes, neighborhoods, cities, and towns better places to live. These heroines use their time, talent, spirit, and enthusiasm to enrich the lives of others in their community. Many serve as mentors, volunteers, and innovators who strive to protect and represent the interests of seniors, victims of violence, children, immigrants and other vulnerable populations.

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