WORCESTER—If you’ve lived in Worcester—or even just passed through—there’s a good chance you know the name Harriette Chandler. And if you’ve worked with her or are her pal, you probably refer to her simply as “Harlee.”
A pioneering force in Massachusetts politics and a fierce advocate for women’s rights, Chandler is being honored this fall with the 2025 Harvey Ball Smile Award, the Museum of Worcester (formerly Worcester Historical Museum) announced.
The award will be presented at the Harvey Ball on Oct. 23 at Mechanics Hall.
The event also marks the close of the city’s yearlong celebration of the 175th anniversary of the first National Women’s Rights Convention, which was held in Worcester in 1850. Organizers say the timing couldn’t be more fitting.
“Harriette Chandler is one of the most accomplished and historically important politicians in the history of the city of Worcester,” Museum of Worcester Executive Director Bill Wallace said in a statement. “She is among the state’s most distinguished legislators as well as having been the first female president in the history of the Massachusetts Senate.”
Chandler told the Worcester Guardian she was “purely shocked” to learn she had been selected for the award, adding, “I had no idea I was even being considered.” She reflected on her long connection to the city—though not a Worcester native, she moved here as a bride in 1959. “I wasn’t part of a large family, I wasn’t even born in Worcester,” she said. “I have always worked, enjoying the opportunity to get more involved in Worcester and to give back to the community.”
Chandler’s long career in public service began with the Worcester School Committee in 1991 and extended through the House of Representatives and into the Senate, where she served from 2001 until her retirement in 2022. In 2018, she made history as the 94th president of the Massachusetts Senate—the first woman to ever hold that role.
“Getting involved in politics was a wonderful way to do that,” Chandler said, “and it was certainly my way to impact the lives of Worcester people—initially at the school committee level, then at the state level running for state representative, and finally the state senate, ultimately becoming senate president and being the first person from Worcester to hold that position.”
Over her decades of service, Chandler worked to advance causes central to the lives of Massachusetts residents, from access to health care and education to landmark efforts like the ROE Act, which safeguards reproductive rights in the state. She also played a role in Worcester’s ongoing revitalization, backing key projects such as the restoration of Union Station and the construction of the Ghosh Science Center at Worcester State University.
Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities Ed Augustus called Chandler “a champion for women and girls on Beacon Hill,” in a statement. “I was lucky to serve alongside Harlee Chandler … and to see firsthand her commitment to Worcester and its residents.”
Chandler said she takes great pride in her three years on the school committee as well as her 28 years in the legislature. “I found a real joy in writing legislation and developed skills in working closely with my colleagues from all over the state,” she said. “In the process, I found I could make a difference and improve the lives of my friends, neighbors and constituents in Worcester.”
“Indeed, I found that Worcester is a very special place where people work together and truly care about each other. I have been so lucky to play a small part in this experience.”
The Harvey Ball Smile Award, named for the Worcester-born creator of the iconic Smiley Face, was established in 2001 and is given annually to individuals or organizations that have made a significant, positive impact on the city of Worcester.
This year’s award ceremony aligns with a larger effort by the museum to commemorate Worcester’s role in the early women’s rights movement. Events have been held citywide throughout the year and will culminate in October, the same month as World Smile Day—another Worcester-born tradition dedicated to spreading kindness and joy.
The Museum of Worcester, founded in 1875, is one of the state’s oldest cultural institutions and continues to serve as a hub for the city’s collective memory. Through exhibitions, archives, and events, the museum documents the evolving story of Worcester—from industrial might to immigrant roots to political firsts such as those achieved by Chandler.
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