News  John Walsh’s annual “Herstory” publication is a labor of love and celebration of Women’s History Month

This annual publication is also a tribute to his younger sister, Maura McCaffrey, who passed away at the onset of the Pandemic.  

“For so many of us, it is hard to lose a family member. The death of Maura, a younger sibling, struck me particularly hard. I wanted to do something to remember and recognize her,” Mr. Walsh said. “She was accomplished in so many ways ---- personally and professionally. I thought perhaps turning the lens inward on MPS to recognize the accomplished women within would be a way to honor her memory. And what better time do it than in March, Women’s History Month.”

Mr. Walsh’s “Herstory” is a well-written six-page publication that highlights the accomplishments of MPS women. “Herstory” features an extensive list of resources such as research on women in leadership roles, testaments, and strategies to building and sustaining work/life balance and the most recent and historic suggested reading lists citing "the countless, often overlooked, contributions of women throughout history," Mr. Walsh said. He recently talked about this tribute to his younger sister Maura McCaffrey, who was a President and CEO in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. Ms. McCaffrey, passed away at age 50 in 2020 following a courageous battle with cancer, according to Mr. Walsh. She was at the height of her career, he said.

“She had a very rare, aggressive form of cancer, a rogue gene, and for all the time we had together as siblings, it just wasn’t enough,” said Mr. Walsh.

He recently recalled his Fitchburg childhood growing up with parents who emigrated to the United States from Ireland. Mr. Walsh said his parents were always working. He was the only boy and middle child with older and younger sisters. Maura was his baby sister. Mr. Walsh reflected on his sister, who as a young girl and woman was always smart, inquisitive, diligent, and full of life.

“She grew into a confident and high achieving woman who always reached back to mentor and lift up other women around her,” said Mr. Walsh.  

“Herstory” is Maura’s story, and it is also the story of the women of MPS whom Mr. Walsh pays tribute to each year in the publication.  

Mr. Walsh said each year he reaches out to previous “Herstory” honorees to ask that they nominate additional MPS women to be honored. He then features the newest nominees in the following year’s edition. This year’s honorees will be announced in the 2023 issue of "Herstory" which is scheduled for publication March 10th.