Each June 20, the United Nations observes World Refugee Day to recognize the courage, strength and contributions of refugees and displaced people around the world. It is a moment to reflect on the experience of leaving home under duress and on the determination it takes to rebuild.

This year鈥檚 observance comes amid ongoing global displacement. According to the, 117.3 million people were forcibly displaced as of mid-2025. Conflict, persecution and instability continue to force millions from their homes. Behind each number is a person navigating unfamiliar systems, environments and languages, and finding a way forward.

Refugees and New Mainers in Maine

People come to Maine through many different pathways and with many different stories. The term 鈥淣ew Mainers鈥� often refers to immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers and others from other countries who now call Maine home. 

Maine is home to approximately 53,000 to 56,000 immigrants, or about 4% of the state鈥檚 population. They contribute to health care, education, agriculture, construction and many other parts of Maine鈥檚 economy, bringing professional experience, multilingual skills and community leadership.

Recent federal funding changes and operational shifts have affected refugee resettlement and immigrant services in Maine, making community organizations, educational institutions and state programs even more important for people already here.

Education as a pathway: 天美传媒 role

For people rebuilding after displacement, education can offer structure, connection and a way to carry existing knowledge into a new context. At UMA, flexible courses, advising and student support services help learners move forward in ways that fit their lives.

Some UMA students, staff and faculty have experienced displacement or immigration systems firsthand. Their experiences, skills and leadership strengthen the university and the broader community, bringing perspective and purpose to classrooms, workplaces and civic life.

Resources for New Mainers

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Check out local events commemorating World Refugee Day on 天美传媒 Heritage Month Calendar as well as learning resources concerning the significance of World Refugee Day in Maine and beyond. You can keep up with more content like this by and submitting events and resources to help promote inclusion and belonging in our community.

Every year on June 19, the United States observes Juneteenth, marking the day in 1865 when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that enslaved people in Texas were free. The announcement came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, and was delivered through Major General Gordon Granger鈥檚 reading of General Order No. 3.

The History of Juneteenth

For generations, Juneteenth has been commemorated through celebration, remembrance, and learning. Often referred to as America’s second Independence Day, it highlights the uneven and delayed process by which emancipation became known and enforced across the United States. The message brought to Texas in 1865 represented one of the most significant milestones in the long process of emancipation.

Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, when President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. In Maine, Governor Janet Mills signed legislation establishing Juneteenth as a paid state holiday in 2021, with the first official state observance taking place in June 2022. 

The Maine Connection

Maine is not often the first place people associate with slavery, yet its economy was connected to trade networks that depended on enslaved labor. Maine鈥慴uilt ships carried captives and goods produced through the labor of enslaved people across the Atlantic and along the U.S. coast, linking Africa, Cuba, the West Indies, the American South, and New England. Maine salted fish and produce helped feed enslaved people, while Maine lumber was used for Caribbean construction and as fuel in sugar processing.

Maine traders imported slave-grown cotton, helping make the state a northern leader in cotton fabric production in the early 1800s and fueling the growth of mill towns like Lewiston and Biddeford. By 1860, Portland was a major hub for importing sugar, molasses, and rum, processing about one-fifth of all molasses entering the United States and supporting several rum distilleries along its waterfront.

Our Shared History 

This history provides important context for Juneteenth and for a fuller understanding of Maine鈥檚 place within the broader history of the United States. At UMA, we value the role of education in helping people examine history with accuracy, care, and attention to complexity.

Juneteenth offers an opportunity to learn more about this history, attend local observances, and consider the ways freedom has been understood, pursued, and protected across American history. Through continued learning and shared understanding, UMA affirms the importance of education in strengthening communities and supporting the dignity and rights of all people.

Check out local events commemorating Juneteenth on 天美传媒 Heritage Month Calendar as well as learning resources concerning the significance of Juneteenth in Maine and beyond. You can keep up with more content like this by and submitting events and resources to help promote inclusion and belonging in our community.

Each June, communities across the nation observe Pride Month to recognize the history, contributions, and resilience of LGBTQIA+ individuals. At the 天美传媒, this month offers a meaningful opportunity to support our diverse student body, faculty, staff, and alumni.

To understand the scope of this celebration, it helps to recognize what the acronym itself represents. LGBTQIA+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual. The plus sign signifies all other sexual orientations and gender identities that form this diverse community.

The Roots of the Movement

The roots of Pride Month reach back to the Stonewall Uprising in New York City in June 1969. During an era when same-sex relationships and diverse gender expressions were criminalized across the country, a police raid on the Stonewall Inn sparked days of spontaneous protests. Led largely by transgender women of color, drag queens, and gay youth (including prominent activists like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera), these protests catalyzed the modern gay liberation movement.

One year later, on June 28, 1970, the first Pride march took place in New York. This event transformed a single act of resistance into a national tradition of visibility, educational events, and community gatherings. Federal recognition followed in 1999 when the month of June was officially designated to honor the community, an acknowledgment that has been expanded by successive administrations over the last 27 years.

Symbols of Visibility

Visual symbols have always played a central role in bringing visibility to the community. The traditional rainbow flag, designed by veteran and artist Gilbert Baker in 1978, originally featured distinct colors to symbolize elements of human experience, including life, healing, sunlight, nature, serenity, and spirit.

In 2018, designer Daniel Quasar introduced the Progress Pride Flag to place a specific emphasis on intersectionality. This newer design adds a five-colored chevron (a triangle) pointing from the left edge toward the center. The light blue, pink, and white stripes represent the transgender community, while the brown and black stripes represent LGBTQIA+ people of color. The black stripe also honors those lost to or living with HIV/AIDS. The arrow shape points forward to signify the ongoing movement toward community inclusion.

Spotlight on Alumni Leadership

The spirit of advocacy and community care is carried forward by dedicated individuals across our state, including members of our own UMA family. One notable example is UMA alumnus Justin Chenette.

A 2021 graduate of UMA’s Post-Baccalaureate Public Administration program, he made history in 2012 at age 21 by becoming the youngest openly gay legislator elected in the United States and the youngest lawmaker in Maine. He went on to serve eight years in the Maine Legislature, including two terms in the State Senate, where he was the only openly LGBTQ+ senator at the time, before being elected the first openly gay York County Commissioner in 2022. UMA awarded Chenette its 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award, recognizing his successful ethics reform legislation, his nonprofit scholarship foundation, his efforts to pass York County’s first-ever Pride Proclamation, and his current role as Chief Communications Officer at Sweetser, one of Maine’s largest mental health organizations. Chenette鈥檚 leadership has earned him spots on two 40 Under 40 lists, receiving national recognition from The Advocate and state-level honors from Mainebiz.

Community Care in Maine

Maine has a distinctive history of grassroots advocacy and community connection. Rather than a sudden shift, the state鈥檚 path has been shaped by decades of local organizing, legal updates, and cultural growth. Notably, in 2012, Maine became one of the first states to legalize marriage equality through a popular referendum, demonstrating a widespread, neighbor-to-neighbor effort to shift public perception.

Today, that spirit of community care lives on through local organizations and advocates doing vital work across the state. Groups like focus on supporting rural queer youth by building safe spaces, providing school resources, and offering educational opportunities. Meanwhile, historical foundations like the continue to provide essential care, case management, and housing assistance for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. These efforts highlight a steady, quiet commitment to supporting neighbors and fostering connection in every corner of the state.

Opportunities to Connect

This year, UMA welcomed the Seen and 鈥淗erd鈥� Club (SaH), a student organization that creates a safe, welcoming space for LGBTQIA+ students and allies to connect and support one another. SaH reflects 天美传媒 commitment to belonging by offering inclusive access, both in-person and via Zoom meetings, for the entire UMA community.

The club will be attending Hallowell Pride on Saturday, June 6 and plan to march in the parade.

The Hallowell Pride Parade and Festival is on Saturday, June 6. This year鈥檚 theme is “Freedom.” The full day’s schedule includes a festival from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Granite City Park and McAllister Real Estate. Festivalgoers can support local vendors, community activities, and celebration throughout the afternoon in the heart of Hallowell. 

Additionally, the annual Bangor Pride Festival and Parade will take place on Saturday, June 27. This year, the festival features a new location at the Bangor Waterfront. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore local vendor markets, enjoy live performances, and support the local community right by the river.

Check out local events commemorating Pride Month on 天美传媒 Heritage Month Calendar as well as learning resources concerning the significance of Pride Month in Maine and beyond. You can keep up with more content like this by and submitting events and resources to help promote inclusion and belonging in our community.

Jewish American Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the rich history, culture, and contributions of Jewish Americans to our shared story nationally, in Maine, and at the 天美传媒. Established in 2006 through bipartisan congressional resolutions and a presidential proclamation, the observance builds on more than 350 years of Jewish life in the United States and recognizes how deeply Jewish Americans have shaped the nation鈥檚 social, cultural, intellectual, and political life.

Across generations, Jewish Americans have contributed as jurists, activists, artists, educators, public servants, and innovators. Figures such as Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis, labor leader Rose Schneiderman, and composer Leonard Bernstein helped shape American law, labor history, and the arts. Contemporary leaders including Rabbi Sandra Lawson, journalist Ezra Klein, comedian Sarah Silverman, and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders reflect the continuing breadth and diversity of Jewish American life and leadership.

In Maine, Jewish Americans have been part of the state鈥檚 history for roughly two centuries and have made lasting contributions to education, the arts, public service, philanthropy, and civic life. Many Jewish Mainers have left especially notable legacies. Hiram Abrams, born in Portland, became an early movie mogul and one of the first presidents of Paramount Pictures, and later served as managing director of United Artists. Judith Magyar Isaacson, a Holocaust survivor, became a respected educator and dean at Bates College and shared her experience with generations of students. Abraham Rudman was the first Jewish justice on the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. Louise Nevelson, who grew up in Rockland, became one of the most influential American sculptors of the twentieth century. Harold Alfond made transformative contributions to Maine schools, colleges, health care, and community institutions through his philanthropy.

UMA also has meaningful connections to Jewish life and leadership in Maine. Bennett D. Katz, a World War II veteran, longtime state legislator, and advocate for public higher education, played an important role in the founding of UMA. He later served on the Board of Trustees, received an Honorary Doctorate, and was honored when the university library was named the Bennett D. Katz Library.

Professor Bob Katz, a longtime member of the UMA art faculty, has also enriched the university through his teaching, creative work, and engagement with Jewish thought and culture. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine and created Were the House Still Standing, the center鈥檚 signature multimedia installation preserving the voices of Holocaust survivors and liberators who made their lives in Maine.

, housed in the Michael Klahr Center on 天美传媒 Augusta campus, is a vital part of this story. Named for Michael Klahr, a child Holocaust survivor who later made his home in Maine, the center preserves survivor testimonies and offers exhibits and programs that connect the history of the Holocaust with contemporary questions of human rights, justice, and civic responsibility. Its thoughtfully designed space, which includes a theater, classroom, and gallery areas, provides a gathering place for students, educators, and community members to learn, reflect, and engage in dialogue together.

天美传媒 partnership with the Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine reflects an ongoing commitment to education, remembrance, and civic responsibility. Through that partnership, UMA, the HHRC, and the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine presented seminars including 鈥淲hat You Do Matters: Lessons from the Holocaust鈥� and 鈥淒efining Moments in Policing: Ethical Decision Making during the Holocaust,鈥� led by Dr. Todd Larson, Chief Noel March, and Erica Nadelhaft. These programs brought law enforcement, corrections, and community leaders together to explore ethics, accountability, and the importance of individual choices.

Jewish American Heritage Month invites the entire UMA community to learn more about Jewish experiences in all their diversity and to recognize the many ways Jewish Americans have helped shape our communities and our country. It is also a reminder that learning about one another鈥檚 histories strengthens a campus culture grounded in respect, understanding, and belonging. Throughout May, members of the UMA community are encouraged to explore programs, events, and resources that highlight Jewish history and culture, whether by attending a lecture, visiting the Holocaust and Human Rights Center, engaging with Jewish literature and art, or simply taking time to learn something new. As we observe Jewish American Heritage Month, UMA celebrates the enduring contributions of Jewish Americans and reaffirms its commitment to a community where every person is valued and every history has a place.

*A note about the architectural elements of the Klahr Center

The design of the Michael Klahr Center is both beautiful and symbolic. The combination of brick, wood, and glass balances a sense of strength with a reminder of vulnerability, prompting reflection on how fragile human rights can be and how intentionally they must be protected. Its sweeping, curved exterior forms suggest shelter, resilience, and renewal after trauma. The tall glass fa莽ade opening to the landscape invites light in and can be read as a metaphor for transparency and remembrance.

The center is named for Michael Klahr, who survived the Holocaust as a Jewish child in wartime Europe and later made his home in Maine. His story, along with those of other survivors who settled in the state, lies at the heart of the center鈥檚 mission to educate about the Holocaust, confront antisemitism and other forms of hatred, and promote human rights and ethical responsibility.

Check out local events commemorating Jewish American Heritage Month on 天美传媒 Heritage Month Calendar as well as learning resources concerning the significance of Jewish American Heritage Month in Maine and beyond. You can keep up with more content like this by and submitting events and resources to promote inclusion and belonging in our community.

Grounded in 天美传媒 commitment to access and student success, this conversation will explore how PEP creates pathways to opportunity for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students. Attendees will hear about the program鈥檚 impact, the challenges students navigate, and the strategies that support their success鈥攆rom community partnerships and mentorship networks to ongoing collaboration with the Maine Department of Corrections.

This event offers an opportunity to connect with students and staff, ask questions, and better understand the role education plays in supporting reentry, strengthening Maine鈥檚 workforce, and building more resilient communities.

All are welcome to attend and participate in the conversation.

Lunch will be provided for in-person attendees.

If you plan to attend in person, please RSVP by Tuesday, April 14, so we can finalize our catering order.

A remote option to participate via Zoom will also be available. The Zoom link is posted on the UMA calendar:聽

Each April, Second Chance Month invites communities across the country to recognize the challenges justice-impacted individuals face as they rebuild their lives after imprisonment and the opportunities that can help them succeed.

Across the United States, nearly 2 million people are incarcerated in state and federal prisons, and an estimated 5 million formerly incarcerated individuals are working to rebuild their lives in their communities. Many encounter barriers to housing, employment, mental health care and substance use support while also navigating the lasting stigma and trauma of having done time. These challenges contribute to high rates of within the first few years after release.

Education has proven to be one of the most effective ways to change that trajectory. Research shows that access to college programs while incarcerated can significantly reduce recidivism while improving long-term employment opportunities and community stability.

At the 天美传媒, the Prison Education Partnership helps create those opportunities. Founded in 2006, the program has become a national leader in higher education in prison through a strong collaboration with the Maine Department of Corrections and the dedication of UMA faculty and staff.

Through PEP, incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students take college courses, earn degrees and build skills that prepare them for life beyond incarceration. The program connects students in Maine correctional facilities with UMA instructors and academic support, creating pathways to opportunity that continue long after release.

According to Commissioner of the Maine Department of Corrections Randall Liberty, while Maine鈥檚 overall return-to-custody rate is approximately 23 percent, the rate for individuals who earn a UMA degree while incarcerated drops to a staggering 0.05 percent.

鈥淓ducation is the most effective way not only to break the cycle of incarceration, but also to restore the dignity and humanity of the students we serve,鈥� said UMA Director of the Prison Education Program Daniel McGloin. 鈥淏y equipping our students with the tools to rewrite their narratives, they are proving every day that their past does not have to define their future. Their success shows that when determination is paired with access to a college degree, it can change the trajectory of a person鈥檚 life.鈥�

For many students, the classroom becomes a place where new possibilities begin to take shape.

鈥淯MA showed me the light within myself,” said T. Tyler Thibeau, a UMA PEP graduate currently pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Maine. “They gave me the space and encouragement to shed toxic layers, rediscover my curiosity and love of learning, and use that to become a researcher working to reduce recidivism.鈥澛�

Graduates of the program are building careers, supporting their families and contributing to their communities across Maine. Their experiences also enrich the academic community at UMA, bringing new perspectives, resilience and determination to the classroom.

Second Chance Month offers a moment to reflect on the role education can play in strengthening communities and expanding opportunity. Through the Prison Education Partnership, UMA continues to support students determined to build new paths forward and to demonstrate the power of education to transform lives.

Check out local events commemorating Second Chance Month on 天美传媒 Heritage Month Calendar as well as learning resources concerning the significance of Second Chance Month in Maine and beyond. You can keep up with more content like this by and submitting events and resources to promote inclusion and belonging in our community.

April is recognized as Arab American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and lasting contributions of Arab Americans throughout U.S. history. The observance began in several states in the 1990s and gained national recognition in 2021 when the U.S. Department of State formally acknowledged April as Arab American Heritage Month.

Arab American history in the United States stretches back more than a century. The first significant wave of Arab immigrants arrived in the late 1800s, and generations since have become an integral part of the nation鈥檚 social, economic and cultural fabric. Today, Arab Americans trace their heritage to 22 countries across the Middle East and North Africa, reflecting a wide range of cultures, languages, faiths and traditions.

Over generations, Arab Americans have made lasting contributions. Physicians and scientists have advanced medical knowledge and improved patient care. Writers and poets have expanded American literature by exploring themes of identity, heritage and belonging. Business leaders and entrepreneurs have helped drive economic growth, while artists and filmmakers have brought new perspectives that deepen understanding and enrich the nation鈥檚 creative landscape.

Arab American Heritage Month offers an opportunity to celebrate those contributions while also learning more about the diversity and experiences within Arab American communities.

At the 天美传媒, these moments of cultural recognition are part of a broader commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive learning environment. When students, faculty and staff share their histories and traditions, the campus community grows stronger.

As part of the month鈥檚 celebrations, UMA hosts the annual Eid potluck on the Augusta campus. The gathering invites students, faculty, staff and community members to share food, learn about Eid traditions and spend time together in a welcoming setting. Participants bring a dish to share, though the most important ingredient is curiosity and appreciation for the cultures that enrich the campus community.

Arab American Heritage Month serves as a reminder that learning from one another鈥檚 histories and traditions strengthens communities. Through events like the Eid potluck and ongoing conversations across campus, UMA continues to support a culture of respect, curiosity and shared understanding.

Check out local events commemorating Arab American Heritage Month on 天美传媒 Heritage Month Calendar as well as learning resources concerning the significance of Arab American Heritage Month in Maine and beyond. You can keep up with more content like this by and submitting events and resources to promote inclusion and belonging in our community.

The President鈥檚 Council on Transforming Lives in partnership with Wabanaki REACH will host the showing of the award-winning documentary 鈥淒awnland,鈥� A Documentary About Cultural Survival and Stolen Children – The Story of the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

The documentary film screening will take place as a hybrid event on Tuesday, April 14th 11:00am 鈥� 1:00pm. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion. The in-person location on the UMA Augusta campus is TBD. Light refreshments will be served.

“In Maine, a historic investigation鈥攖he first government-sanctioned truth and reconciliation commission in the United States鈥攂egins a bold journey. For over two years, Native and non-Native commissioners travel across Maine. They gather testimony and bear witness to the devastating impact of the state鈥檚 child welfare practices on families in Maliseet, Micmac, Passamaquoddy and Penobscot tribal communities. Collectively, these tribes make up the Wabanaki people.” – Adam Mazo / Ben Pender-Cudlip, filmmakers

Dawnland follows the TRC to contemporary Wabanaki communities to witness intimate, sacred moments of truth-telling and healing. With exclusive access to this groundbreaking process and never-before-seen footage, the film reveals the untold narrative of Indigenous child removal in the United States.

A discussion will follow the film and will include Esther Anne, Passamaquoddy, and Penthea Burns, non-Native. Both are among the founders of the Truth Commission and Wabanaki REACH. “If we can work together in that good way [for the truth commission], in a system of mutual respect, to work for our children, then I think we can work together in anything because nothing is more sacred than our children.鈥� – Esther Anne, founder, Wabanaki REACH

Wabanaki REACH is a non-profit organization that works towards a future when Wabanaki and Maine people join together to acknowledge truth and work collectively toward equity, healing, and positive change through our community education programs. Wabanaki REACH promotes Wabanaki wellbeing and deeply believes in the natural strength and beauty of Wabanaki culture, language and ways of being.

As we welcome the month of March, we are taking time at UMA to reflect on the significance of Women鈥檚 History Month. This is more than just a date on the calendar; it is a vital opportunity to acknowledge the achievements and contributions of women, past and present, who have fundamentally shaped the world we live in today.

The Roots of the Celebration

The journey toward this month-long recognition began with the first in 1911, eventually leading to formal recognition by the United Nations in 1977.

In the United States, Women鈥檚 History Month was officially designated by Congress in 1987. This designation was a direct response to a simple truth: for too long, the contributions of women had been overlooked in our collective history. By setting aside this time, we ensure those stories are told and those legacies are honored.

Maine鈥檚 Unique Legacy

Here in Maine, we are especially proud of the figures who paved the way for others.

Molly Molasses (Mary Agatha):

A respected Penobscot elder born in the late 1700s, Molly Molasses was known for her wisdom, oral storytelling, and advocacy for her people鈥檚 sovereignty during a time of intense cultural upheaval. Living much of her life near Old Town, Maine, she preserved and shared Penobscot traditions, language, and history with younger generations and outsiders alike. Her legacy endures as a symbol of Indigenous resilience and voice in Maine鈥檚 early history.

Margaret Chase Smith:

Born in Skowhegan, Maine, Margaret Chase Smith broke historic ground in American politics as the first woman to serve in both the U.S. House and Senate. A Republican leader during the mid-20th century, she became known for her 鈥淒eclaration of Conscience鈥� speech in 1950, condemning McCarthyism and defending the rights of individuals to think freely. Smith鈥檚 courage and integrity continue to make her one of Maine鈥檚 most influential political figures. 

Virginia 鈥淕inny鈥� Oliver:

Known affectionately as the “Lobster Lady,” Virginia 鈥淕inny鈥� Oliver began hauling traps as a young girl in 1920s Rockland. She dedicated over 90 years to Maine鈥檚 lobster industry, famously continuing to work the waters alongside her son well past her 100th birthday. Though she never sought the spotlight, Ginny quietly shattered age and gender barriers in a male-dominated field. Her life remains a testament to everyday leadership and devotion, leaving behind a legacy of courage that will continue to inspire Maine鈥檚 working waterfront and future generations of fishermen.

We honor these leaders alongside the countless educators, activists, and artists who have defined our state鈥檚 history through their courage and vision.

Our Commitment at UMA

At UMA, we strive to be an environment where every individual, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to lead and inspire change.

This month, we celebrate the diverse contributions of women from all identities and backgrounds within our own campus community. We all benefit from the resilience and leadership women bring to our academic and professional lives. It is essential that we continue to uplift and support one another, ensuring that every person at UMA feels respected, heard, and valued.

How to Get Involved

Throughout March, we encourage the UMA community to engage with the stories and events that highlight the impact of women on our history:

• Participate: Join local events, discussions, and campus activities scheduled throughout the month.
• Reflect: Take time to learn about the women who have made a difference in your specific field of study or profession.
• Support: Let鈥檚 carry this spirit of equality and respect forward鈥攏ot just this month, but every day.

Thank you for being a part of our shared commitment to building a future of opportunity for everyone.

Check out local events commemorating Women鈥檚 History Month on 天美传媒 Heritage Month Calendar as well as learning resources concerning the significance of Women鈥檚 History Month in Maine and beyond. You can keep up with more content like this by and submitting events and resources to promote inclusion and belonging in our community.

The 2026 inductees to the Maine Women鈥檚 Hall of Fame will be Dr. Alane O鈥機onnor, Director of Perinatal Addiction Medicine at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center who has been in the forefront of addiction medicine in the state, and the late Frances Perkins, U.S. Secretary of Labor under President Franklin Roosevelt and architect of New Deal programs that Americans rely on today.

The honorees will be inducted in a ceremony on March 21 at the 天美传媒 during Women鈥檚 History Month. The public event begins with a reception at 1 p.m., followed by the induction ceremony at 2 p.m. To attend, RSVP by March 15 to mainewomenshalloffame@gmail.com. Snow date is March 22.

This is the 36th Induction Ceremony to honor those who have made outstanding contributions to improving opportunities for all Maine women. Organizations and individuals nominate outstanding women whose achievements have made a significant statewide impact and improved the lives of women in Maine, and whose contributions have enduring value for women. Inductees are selected by an independent panel of judges.

O鈥機onnor, an innovative, compassionate, purpose-driven leader in addiction medicine, was born and raised in rural Maine. She earned an undergraduate degree at Colby College, a master鈥檚 from Boston College and doctorate from Vanderbilt University. In 2005, she returned to Maine as the opioid epidemic was intensifying. She began caring for patients with substance use disorder as part of her rural family practice and later became board certified in addiction medicine.

O鈥機onnor was one of the first providers in Maine to serve pregnant women with substance use disorders. She became the state鈥檚 leading expert and served as the medical director of the Maine Maternal Opioid Misuse (Maine MOM) initiative, a five-year, $5 million federal grant to expand access to substance use treatment for pregnant and postpartum women. She is the first Director of Perinatal Addiction Medicine at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center and is core faculty in Maine鈥檚 only addiction medicine fellowship.

O鈥機onnor has trained hundreds of physicians, including both residents and fellows, and published more than a dozen peer-reviewed manuscripts on maternal and infant outcomes following treatment with medication for opioid use disorder during pregnancy, as well as related postpartum healthcare utilization and health policy.

Recognizing that some of her most at-risk pregnant women were not accessing health care in traditional settings, she developed a partnership with Portland Fire Department to create Project Lifeline, a nationally innovative medical and community paramedicine program that delivers street medicine services to unhoused pregnant and postpartum women with substance use disorder who live in tents, shelters, vehicles, and on the street.

Beyond caring for pregnant women, O鈥機onnor works in the correctional system as the Director of Addiction Medicine at Somerset County Jail and Franklin County Detention Center, and is the clinical advisor to the Maine Sheriffs鈥� Association. In this capacity, she developed and implemented a nationally innovative program using a monthly injectable medication (rather than a daily pill) to treat incarcerated individuals with opioid use disorder. The outcomes, published in Health & Justice, showed that the injectable medication expanded access to treatment during incarceration, improved treatment continuation after release and reduced the risk of post-release drug overdose death. The project gained nationwide attention and was featured on the front page of the New York Times and a related podcast. Her current research on reproductive life experiences of incarcerated women with substance use disorder blends both health fields.

O’Connor lectures regionally and nationally on substance use disorder to a variety of audiences, including medical providers, the child welfare system, the correctional system and judiciary, and law enforcement. She is a member of the Maine Maternal Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Panel and co-chairs Maine鈥檚 Opioid Response Clinical Advisory Committee, which advises the state鈥檚 opioid response director on clinical and public policy issues. Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to serving the most marginalized individuals with empathy and compassion, and believes that human-centered and innovative strategies empower vulnerable individuals to thrive.

Perkins, the first woman to serve on a presidential cabinet (1933鈥�45), was a social worker, public servant and trailblazer who championed workers鈥� rights. She is best known as the architect of many of the New Deal programs that protected workers, helped the country recover from the Great Depression, and created the modern middle class: Social Security, unemployment and workers鈥� compensation insurances, minimum wages, maximum work hours, bans on child labor, health and safety reforms, and more.

The Perkins family settled in Newcastle, Maine in the mid-1700s. Fannie Coralie Perkins (she would later change her name to Frances) was born and raised in Massachusetts but returned to Maine each summer to spend time with her grandmother, Cynthia Otis Perkins, who she said was the most influential person in her life. The picturesque 57-acre family homestead remained a place of respite and reflection throughout Perkins鈥� busy career and later years. She inherited the property in 1927, owned it until her death in 1965, and was buried alongside her husband in a nearby cemetery.

In 2014, the Frances Perkins Homestead was designated a National Historic Landmark, and in 2024, the Frances Perkins National Monument.

Perkins’ education and early career took her first to Mount Holyoke College, then Illinois to teach at a girls鈥� preparatory school and volunteer in settlement houses, and eventually to New York City, where she received a master鈥檚 degree at Columbia University and lobbied for worker protection laws with the New York Consumers鈥� League. In 1911, Perkins witnessed the horrific Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire that killed 146 people, consequently investigating similar tragedies and recommending new state fire safety practices. Perkins rose in New York State politics during the 1910s and 1920s, working closely with Gov. Al Smith and later serving as the inaugural New York State Industrial Commissioner for Gov. Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

In 1933, FDR asked Perkins to join his presidential cabinet as Secretary of Labor. Later, Perkins wrote a best-selling biography of FDR, was appointed to the U.S. Civil Service Commission, and lectured at Cornell University鈥檚 School of Industrial Relations. Perkins鈥� professional achievements were accomplished in addition to her personal responsibilities as a mother, wife, daughter, sister, grandmother, caregiver, parishioner, community member, and beloved friend to many.

Although her policy work happened elsewhere, Perkins鈥� career continues to have a significant impact on Maine, especially the one-quarter of Mainers who receive Social Security (more than half of whom are women). Perkins knowingly paved the way for other women in politics and public service, strategically navigating the male-dominated government at every step of her career.

Of her decision to become Secretary of Labor, she later reflected: 鈥淭he door might not be opened to a woman again for a long, long time, and I had a kind of duty to other women to walk in and sit down on the chair that was offered.鈥�

Perkins and O鈥機onnor will join an impressive list of inductees to the Maine Women鈥檚 Hall of Fame that include authors, athletes, artists, activists, administrators, political and religious leaders, educators, doctors, lawyers, scientists and college presidents. Among the most recent honorees: physician Julia McDonald, community activist Nancy Fritz and astronaut Jessica Meir. A full list of inductees, starting with Sen. Margaret Chase Smith and women鈥檚 health advocate Mabel Wadsworth in 1990, is online.

established the Maine Women鈥檚 Hall of Fame. The has a collection of photographs, video recordings and other materials from the Maine Women鈥檚 Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, as well as a permanent public gallery of inductee portraits. The portraits of O鈥機onnor and Perkins will be hung in the library immediately following the March 21 induction ceremony.

BPW/Maine Futurama Foundation, working with Maine Community Foundation, to outstanding and deserving Maine women to help them achieve economic self-sufficiency.

For more information, please contact Margaret Nagle at MaineWomensHallofFame@gmail.com.