Salem Prep Educator Yamily Byas Named Among Commonwealth Heroines Class of 2024
Ms. Byas honored for her work with nonprofit Mamàs Unidas
SALEM (June 24, 2024) – Yamily Byas, a student support specialist at Salem Prep High School, was named to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women (MCSW) Commonwealth Heroines Class of 2024, the Commission announced recently.
The MCSW partners with state legislators to identify women who make outstanding contributions to their organizations and in their communities. Elected officials nominate one woman from their constituency each year for recognition of extraordinary acts of service.
Nominated for the award by State Representative Manny Cruz (D, 7th Essex District), Ms. Byas was honored Friday, June 14 in a ceremony at the Massachusetts Statehouse.
In 2019, Ms. Byas founded the support group Mamás Unidas, which helps local Latina mothers in need receive access to everyday necessities, basic needs, even living arrangements, food insecurity and education.
“For me, I feel really proud and honored to serve my community and its families,” said Ms. Byas, who recently capped her third year at Salem Prep. “It is very rewarding to me.”
The honor is the latest of several in recent months for Ms. Byas who, in February 2023, was named the recipient of the Dominican Flag Committee Up-and-Coming Youth Leader Award, and nominated for the for the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce/City Awake 10 Outstanding Young Leader Awards.
Last fall, she was one of several Latina leaders in Salem to be featured on the El Mundo Mural in The Point neighborhood.
Ms. Byas was one of two Salem residents named to the Class of 2024, joining Teasie Riley Goggin. The Class of 2024 included 20 recipients from Essex County.
About Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts. Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are all passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens we view all of our work through. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff serve all of our students, regardless of ability or language. Salem Public Schools enrolls approximately 4,000 students across its eleven schools.
