Marie Cantlon may be small in stature but she is imposing in presence.  The North End/West End NSC applauds Marie for her tireless advocacy on behalf of the residents of an often overlooked Boston neighborhood.

Bordered by Beacon Hill, the North End, and the Charles River, the West End neighborhood has not received the same fanfare as its surrounding communities.  Marie has been working to change that.  Through her support, the neighborhood is experiencing a revival, supporting and encouraging new businesses and residents while maintaining its celebrated culture.  She is a founding member of the West End Civic Association, established to honor and protect the historic neighborhood while creating a sense of camaraderie amongst its previously disconnected residents.  During her time with the organization, she has served as its President and as a member of its Board of Directors.

Marie is known throughout the community for her remarkable wisdom and leadership in dealing with the complex issues that arise when turning around a neighborhood.  She has been particularly concerned with protecting and improving the quality of life for the residents of the West End during its recovery, especially the elderly and the disabled.  She has been a tireless advocate for safer pedestrian crossings, calling for the restoration of an aging overhead walkway.  And she recently organized and led a committee of people who were concerned about the accessibility of a local public transportation station, prompting the MBTA to make plans for a new elevator. 

Says Paul Schratter, a fellow colleague and activist in the West End, “Marie has helped to restore a spirit to the neighborhood that had long been missing.  Because of her leadership, energy, and relentless determination, our community is not only back on the map, it is a more vibrant place than it ever was.”