Davis Honored For Service To The Town, Named Mercy Otis Warren Woman Of The Year

CHATHAM – Shareen Davis, whose term on the select board ended last Thursday, has been named the Mercy Otis Warren Cape Cod Woman of the Year.

 It’s the latest honor for the 13th generation Cape Codder, who was named a “Commonwealth Heroine” by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women earlier this month.

 At her last meeting as a board member May 12, Davis was honored by state and town officials for her work during three terms on the board. State Representative Hadley Luddy, D-Orleans, presented citations from the state House of Representatives and Senate.

 “We are just so thrilled with all the work that you’ve done for our community,” Luddy said.

 Board Chair Dean Nicastro read a proclamation praising Davis for her years of “distinguished service to the town.” Town Manager Jill Goldsmith presented Davis with a clock and tide gauge. 

 “I have never served with a better colleague,” said Nicastro, noting that Davis was chair during COVID and guided the town through the pandemic. He said he respected her passion for the town as well as her leadership on regional and state issues.

 “Shareen, you will be greatly, greatly missed,” Nicastro said.

 “Serving this community has been one of the greatest honors of my life,” Davis said in an emotional farewell. During her years on the board, she grew to understand that “Chatham’s strength is not only its natural beauty and history, but the people who care so deeply about it.” 

 “Public service has taught me the importance of listening carefully, working collaboratively and making decisions with both today’s and tomorrow’s generations in mind,” Davis said. She thanked her fellow board members, town staff and community volunteers, singling out the town’s residents. “Your engagement, your voices, your love of this town are what really, truly make Chatham Chatham. It’s been a privilege to listen and to learn.”

 Although she is stepping away from public service, Davis said her “commitment to this community remains strong” and she will continue to support Chatham “in new ways.”

 This year’s Mercy Otis Warren Cape Cod Woman of the Year honor marks the 25th anniversary of the award. Named for the West Barnstable-born writer, political thinker and advocate who helped shape the nation’s founding ideals, the honor recognizes Cape Cod women who demonstrate leadership, service and community impact, according to a press release.

 Davis was chosen for her commitment to protecting the Cape’s heritage, working waterfronts and year-round communities. She has been a strong advocate of affordable housing, coastal resilience and the region’s commercial fisheries. Her family has a long history of weir fishing and she is a co-founder of the Chatham Harvesters Cooperative.

 The Barnstable County Board of Regional Commissioners endorsed the selection of Davis by the Mercy Otis Warren Cape Cod Woman of the Year committee. She will be honored at a ceremony on June 10 at 7 p.m. at the 1717 Meetinghouse in West Barnstable.