Sr. Lena Deevy LSA
 
The Eire Society of Boston invites you to the 76th Anniversary Gold Medal dinner on April 27. The dinner will be held at 6pm in the Boston Park Plaza (Arlington St).
 
The Eire Society of Boston is a non-political organization that promotes the knowledge of Irish culture through the encouragement of study in the arts, sciences, literature, language and the history of Ireland.
 
The society has hosted nearly a thousand lectures, screenings, opening nights, receptions and has cooperated with seven decades of Irish consular and diplomatic missions as well as supporting cultural and educational ventures, ecumenical and peace-seeking projects, and creative enterprises.
 
Each year The Eire Society of Boston honors a person who exemplifies the best of Irish culture and ideals. On the occasion of their 76th anniversary, they are proud to honor Sr. Lena Deevy LSA for her contributions to our community.
A native of County Laois, Sister Lena Deevy was Executive Director of the Irish International Immigrant Center (IIIC), until her retirement at the end of March. Throughout her career, Lena has shown herself to be a passionate advocate on behalf of those on the margins of society.
 
In 1988, she came to Boston to complete a Masters Degree in Education at Harvard University and completed a research project into undocumented Irish immigrants. The stories of pain, loneliness and depression so moved Lena that she decided to accept the invitation to become the first Executive Director of the IIIC. Under her leadership the Center has developed into a nationally and internationally recognized model to immigrant advocacy.
 
She has been the recipient of many awards including the Charitable Irish Society Silver Key Award, the American Bar Association Award, an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from Stonehill College, and a Lifetime Achievement Diversity Award from the Boston Business Journal. In 2012, Lena was named by the Irish Government as one of ten recipients of the first annual Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad.