Presented by World in Watertown, the UNITY AWARD is given each year to honor individuals or groups who are making significant contributions to civic life in Watertown.
CAll For 2026 Nominations
(11/20/25 Deadline)
Nominees should meet the following criteria:
They are Watertown residents or employees, or civic organizations that support Watertown residents;
They demonstrate a commitment to the foundational principles of racial, social, and economic justice;
They are committed to supporting the human rights of all residents;
Their work is guided by a vision of equity and inclusion;
They have contributed to the Watertown community in concrete ways within the 2025 calendar year.
The Unity Award will be presented at the Watertown Unity Breakfast on January 19, 2026.
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2002 - Elaine Garnache (Supervisor), and Childrens’ Room staff, WFPL
David Downes
Susan Viskin (Director), staff, and volunteers, Project Literacy
Alex Liazos
Patricia Mosley and students in the Respect for Differences Program at WMS
2003 - Members of Watertown Fair Practices Committee
Edward Sefarian
William Corbett
Joan and Tom Tuttle
Donald McInnes
Delores Mitchell
Ray and Louisa Young
John Degnan
Sarah Bronstein
Paul Menton
Harold and Evelyn Bejcek
2004 - Teachers, administrators, and parents of Watertown’s three elementary schools
2005 - Walid Masoud
2006 - Deb Kaup (Watertown Food Pantry)
2007 - John Portz
2008 - Watertown Youth Coalition and advisor Becket Rhodes
2009 - Tony Palomba
2010 - Eleanor Donato (WMS)
2011 - Officer Harold “Tony” Physic (WPD)
2012 - Watertown Savings Bank
2013 - Eileen Hsu Balzer
2014 - Project Literacy Tutors
2015 - Deborah Peterson
2016 - Sue-Ellen Hershman-Tcherepnin
2017 - Ruth Henry and Lt. Dan Unsworth
2018 – Renee Gaudette
2019 – Rev. Mark Harris
2020 – Catherine Fabian, Claire Fabian, Eva Henry, Fred Labossiere, Shivani Sharma,
Tino Themelis (Kingian Nonviolence high school group)
2021 – Rhode Moise, Program Director, Watertown Boys & Girls Club
2022 – Pastor Stephen Nyakairu, Grace Chapel
2023 – Race Reels (Epiteo Evans and Kara Salvi)
2024 – Watertown Citizens Refugee Support Group
2025 – Housing for All Watertown