City Council supports naming of 'The Patricia O'Neill Community Room'

O’Neill’s tireless dedication to the Dorchester community went far beyond the boundaries of the neighborhood. She was the driving force behind the Annual Dorchester Chili Cook-Off, which in turn supported the Dorchester Day Parade. She served on the Holiday Celebration Committee responsible for the annual tree lighting festivities throughout Dorchester, and was on the advisory board of the Dorchester YMCA.



Throughout the years, O’Neill has received numerous accolades for her commitment and dedication to her community. In 2016, she received the Quinn Award from the University of Massachusetts Boston for her outstanding community leadership. In 2017, the Dorchester YMCA honored her with its “Originally from Dorchester” Award for community involvement. The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women added her to its list of “Unsung Heroes” at a State House ceremony, and Boston Main Streets recognized her as a “Volunteer of the Year.”



O’Neill believed that having a neutral public place to gather, be it for civic, social, educational, or entertainment purposes was critical in creating a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive culture. As a patron of the Boston Public Library, she valued its role in engaging area residents young and old, and she would have been a champion of the new branch, scheduled to open this spring.



The Council believes that Pat O’Neill’s tremendous contributions to the community at large deserves recognition and the Body supports naming the community room at the Adams Street Library “The Patricia O’Neill Community Room” in honor of her dedication to this City.