BU Today: Massachusetts Secretary of Health & Human Services Marylou Sudders (SSW’78) Speaks at Baccalaureate Service
Marylou Sudders (SSW’78, Hon.’22) spoke at the Class of 2022 Baccalaureate Service, held at Marsh Chapel this past weekend. In addition to addressing the Class of 2022 graduates and their loved ones in the ceremony, Sudders also reflected on her role during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how she drew strength from her community at BU School of Social Work.
Excerpt from “Baccalaureate Speaker Marylou Sudders (CAS’76, SSW’78, Hon.’22) Reflects on Pandemic’s Lessons” by Joel Brown, originally posted in BU Today:
Sudders noted how the School of Social Work ‘embraced an alumna who became the first social worker to serve as Massachusetts commissioner of mental health and now as secretary of Health and Human Services.’ Sudders received an honorary Doctor of Laws at BU’s 149th Commencement later in the day.
‘The school reached out and offered encouragement during lonely moments after vitriolic verbal attacks and negative public comments were lobbed in reaction to decisions I made during the pandemic,’ she said. ‘Who knew that ‘mask’ would become such a four-letter word, if you know what I mean.’”