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2026 Peacemaker Award Recipient

This year, the MLK Jr. Day of Service Committee is proud to announce Wendy Penner as the selected recipient of this honor. The award was presented at the annual Northern Berkshire MLK Jr. Day of Service.

Wendy is a volunteer community organizer and has previously worked in the non-profit world on issues related to the environment and substance use. Wendy is deeply committed to the northern Berkshire Community and to the idea of “think globally, act locally.” She has helped lead initiatives for the citizen-led Williamstown COOL Committee for many years, which empowers people to address climate change through local action. She is a champion for public health approaches to support people impacted by substance use, a member of Have Hope Recovery Center, and the northern Berkshire HEAL coalition. Wendy is on the leadership team of the North Berkshire Indivisible chapter, Greylock Together, and she is currently co-president of Congregation Beth Israel.

2026 PEACEMAKER SPEECH

Thank you – I am so honored to be recognized today. Thank you to nbCC for serving as the backbone of this event, and to the volunteer committee of organizers who have allowed it to take place for 33 years.

I am humbled to be recognized by an award named for the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King on this day of service. This event is, at heart, a celebration of our national and local striving to live up to the ideals of Dr. King. and his committed work for racial equality, economic justice, and nonviolence and antimilitarism.

There is so much I want to say about this community I love—about how we show up for each other, how we demonstrate community care for those who are struggling, how we support and celebrate the environment we love, and how we understand how important it is that every community member deserves to feel valued, seen, and uplifted. 

But since I have this platform for only a few minutes, I need to name some hard truths about this moment and then speak about how I hope we are rising to meet it together. At the federal level, our democratic norms and institutions are being eroded and dismantled in plain sight, voting rights are under assault, the truth is routinely distorted and perverted, and the dignity of immigrants, working families, black communities, and marginalized people is being treated as expendable. 

The legacy of Dr. King’s work is in peril as I never could have imagined. This is more than a moment of political divide—there are structural issues in our society that have given rise to this moment. According to data from the US Federal Reserve, the bottom 50% of people in the United States have 2.5% of the country’s assets and wealth. Relatedly, over 14 billion was spent on federal elections over these last two election cycles. 

Dr MLK cautioned us, “The time is always right to do what is right.” He speaks from decades past to this present moment. A time when we all need to shine and be our best, a time of spiritual crisis for so many when sitting it out in the “safe” state of MA is not an option. We stand at a pivotal moment, one that requires all hands on deck.

What can we do? 

Let’s use all the tools we each have to find courage and community—I look around this room and feel an abundance of hope; I see so many helpers. I will just call out a few: 

We are feeding each other as we always have, but even more so—because the need is greater and because we now have community members who are afraid to leave their homes. Thank you, thank you to our network of food security providers. 

I know people who have run for office—one who is now a town meeting delegate in Adams.

I see someone who has made literally thousands of buttons to help change the visual landscape of this moment (I’m wearing one of them – Immigrants make America Great).

Community members who have founded organizations and organized weekly standouts.

We have had hundreds if not thousands of Berkshire County residents attend Know Your Rights trainings—not because they want to protect themselves—but because they want to use their privilege to protect vulnerable community members.



I have seen thousands of people rising up to peacefully protest, asking “What can I do?” and using their voices and their bodies to be both visible and vocal. As an organizer for Greylock Together we have seen people attend monthly meetings, join Action Teams, write postcards & letters, call our representatives, canvass, perform pop-up theatre, create art, facilitate outreach to legislators and businesses—and so much more. 

We have raised money to help immigrants receive critical legal representation and driver’s licenses, and we have set up mutual aid networks.

There is so much more I want to say but I want to close by saying together, we can meet this moment and do great things. I want to end with two quotes: 

Dr King quote: “Returning Hate for Hate multiplies hate, adding further darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness only light dan do that.” 

And finally, I’d like to close with a quote from the poet June Jordan’s “Poem for South African Women”- “We are the people we have been waiting for.”

THANK YOU! 

Blast from the Past! In celebration of our 40th year, here’s what the Coalition was up to 20 years ago...

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BECOME A CONTRIBUTOR TO THE COALITION?

Contributions can be made online or mailed to:

Northern Berkshire Community Coalition

  61 Main Street, Suite 218

  North Adams, MA 01247

nbCC Events and Programming this Month

First Fridays North Adams: I [heart] North Adams

Friday, Feb. 6, 5:00-9:00 PM, Downtown, North Adams

Join in the First Friday Fun! Kick-off the new year with a fresh start. Visit downtown businesses for specials, sales and check out the first gallery exhibitions of 2026.

Learn Through Play: We are Special. We are Kind

Saturday, Feb. 7, 10:00 - 11:00 AM, UNO Community Center, 157 River Street, North Adams

In collaboration with Child Care of the Berkshires. Activities and circle time with sensory activities. Best for ages 0-5 years. No registration required, but we appreciate RSVPs. Contact us at 413-663-7588 or nkennedy@nbccoalition.org 

UNO Valentine’s Day Party

Friday, Feb. 7, 12:00 - 2:00 PM, UNO Center, 157 River Street, North Adams

FREE! Join the UNO Steering Committee to celebrate Valentine’s Day a bit early! There will be games, crafts, pizza and refreshments for everyone!

Questions? 413-663-7588 or info@nbccoalition.org

Teen Writing SHOWCASE

Wednesday, Feb. 11, 5:00 - 7:00 PM, at the Milne Public Library, 1095 Main Street, Williamstown

Free and open to the public. Come and hear the original works that this year’s nbCC Teen Writing Workshop participants have been working on each week! *All are welcome.

RSVP Requested but not required: 413-663-7588 or csacherski@nbccoalition.org

 *We feel strongly that participants should deliver unfiltered,unchanged works. For this reason, some content may be unsuitable for children under 14.

Monthly Forum: Volunteering

Thursday, Feb. 12, 4:00 - 6:00 PM, at the common room at Hotel Downstreet, 40 Main Street, North Adams

FREE & open to the public. All are welcome!

Join us this month to talk about volunteering in your community. Opportunities, challenges, and more. The forum will begin with a round of introductions and an opportunity for announcements before the topic discussion begins. Light refreshments served. FREE & open to the public. The forum will be held in the community space at Hotel DownStreet.

More Info: 413-663-7588 or info@nbccoalition.org

Free Family Skate Day

Thursday, Feb. 19, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, North Adams Veterans Ice Rink, South, 1267 Church Street, North Adams

Join the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition Family Resource Center from 11am to 1pm at the North Adams Skating Rink for 2 hours of FREE family fun!

Free rentals, skating admission, light snacks and hot chocolate. Parents must accompany children.Transportation upon request with at least 24hrs notice.

No registration required, unless you need transportation. 413-663-7588 or nkennedy@nbccoalition.org

nbCC Community Panel Discussions: Substance Use

Thursday, Feb. 26, 6:00PM-8:00PM, at UNO Community Center, 157 River Street

All are welcome! Join us for this community panel discussion. This month the topic will be substance use resources. The Substance Use Resources discussion will have representatives from numerous agencies serving our region including the Brien Center, Have Hope Recovery Center, and Berkshire Harm Reduction. 

The presentation will be preceded with a round of introductions, and opportunity for everyone to share announcements. Space is limited. Please register. For questions or to register for the event, give us a call at 413-663-7588 / info@nbccoalition.org 

WEEKLY EVENTS & PROGRAMS

nbCC Youth Empowerment Program

Mondays, 5:00-6:30 PM, 61 Main Street, #218, North Adams

 STARTING OCT. 20: Free and open to youth, 6-8th grade, who live in or attend school in North Berkshire. A weekly group to talk about school, emotions, navigating teen years, making friends and more. Snacks provided; transportation available. Register: call 413-663-7588

Youth Leadership Program

Tuesdays, 5:00 - 7:00PM, 61 Main Street, Rm. 213, North Adams

Free and open to youth ages 14-19 who live in or attend school in North Berkshire. Young people are changing the world and you can too. Make a positive change in yourself and the world around you. Develop leadership skills, discuss what drives you, meet other young leaders and plan projects in your community. Snacks provided; transportation available. Register: call 413-663-7588

FRC Parenting Together Group * NEW TIMES 

 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 10AM - 12PM, UNO Community Center, 157 River Street, North Adams 

A peer-driven/peer-supported group in a judgment-free, confidential space. Snacks provided. Children welcome.

Teen Writing Workshop

Wednesdays, 5:00 - 7:00 PM, held at nbCC, 61 Main St., Suite 218, North Adams

Free and open to youth ages 13-19 who live in or attend school in North Berkshire. Aspiring writers and poets! Join this incredibly supportive group and get 1-on-1 help with your writing and performance style. Opportunities to perform and be published. Snacks and supplies provided; transportation available. Register: 413-663-7588

Youth Health Collaborative

Thursdays, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM, 61 Main Street, Rm. 213, North Adams. 

(14-19 Yrs. Old) This program is intended to engage young people in supporting the health of their peers in the region. This program aims to benefit the community by directly engaging young people in the act of bettering their environments. This is the only program with a limit on attendance, as there are only ten spots available! 

Participants will receive a stipend for completing this program. Please call or email to apply: 413-663-7588 or info@nbccoalition.org

*NEW LOCATIONS: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Coffee Time

1st Friday, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. Adams COA, 3 Hoosac St., Adams

3rd Friday, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM. North Adams COA/Spitzer Center, 116 Ashland St., North Adams

 This is a group for grandparents who are actively parenting their grandchildren, giving them a safe and confidential space to share similar experiences with other grandparents. Coffee and snacks provided. 

Here are a few other upcoming and recurring events happening at the UNO Center at no, or low cost to participants:



• Every Wed: 6:30-10:30 PM | Berkshire Gamers - Board Game Night (No Admission fee. Open to the Public)

• Every Sun: 2:00-6:00 pm | RPG Game Night - $2 Admission Fee. A collaborative storytelling game where one person plays the narrator and supporting cast to the ensemble played by the other players. Open to the public to drop in, learn how to play and connect with the community of gamers.