The Because of Her Award honors women whose dedication to Lowell is evident through their courage, generosity, compassion, and activism. This award specifically recognizes those who have not traditionally been acknowledged for their contributions–women who have performed extraordinary acts of service beyond the scope of their paid work, including individuals who:
• Go above and beyond their professional roles to serve their community, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to making a positive impact.
• Engage in extraordinary acts of kindness or leadership, rising to meet challenging circumstances with grace and resilience.
• Tackle long-standing, systemic issues that affect entire communities, such as hunger, homelessness, lack of access to healthcare, and other critical social concerns, through innovative and meaningful solutions.
We seek to celebrate these remarkable women who quietly and powerfully make a difference in greater Lowell!
Please elect your nominees below by Monday, February 24th, 2025.
Online Application: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScbpdebY8OK3nxHunY4J4LfcDe7-uUqo0Ean2Qy8QraXYyQeg/viewform
Downloadable Paper Application: BOH Nomination form to download -2025
The Because of Her Award will be presented at the annual Women’s Week Monday, March 24th, 2025.
From left to right: Massachusetts State Representative Vanna Howard, BOH Recipient Sophea Sou-Krauss, BOH Recipient Sarah Khun Leng, Congresswoman Lori Trahan, and BOH Recipient Latina Bohemian.
2025 Because of Her Award Recipients
Latina Bohemian (Chabelli Hernandez)
Latina Bohemian is a trailblazing leader from Merrimack Valley whose journey is a testament to resilience and unwavering determination. A proud alumna of Bunker Hill Community College, where she earned her degree in Liberal Arts and Administration, first in her family to graduate from college. She faced many setbacks, but the loss of her beloved grandmother ignited her to keep moving forward. Latina draws deep inspiration from her grandmother, an orphan who overcame poverty and discrimination—an extraordinary woman of color whose strength and perseverance continue to fuel Latina’s journey. A gifted poet, creative writer, and podcast director, Latina collaborates with leading community figures and innovators throughout Greater Boston. Her poetry has been featured in respected publications like Tell Digital Literary Magazine at BHCC, Worcester Magazine, Mill Pages, and Cape Cod Times. Latina has also worked with influential organizations such as Mosaic Lowell, the Arts League of Lowell, and the Menino Arts Center. Her dedication to service shines through her volunteer work with Commonwealth Corps, where she provided essential resources to low-income children, many of whom, like herself, were raised by single parents with limited means. A passionate advocate for giving back, Latina has contributed her time and energy to charitable initiatives with the Boys & Girls Club of Lowell, House of Hope, Cradles to Crayons, and more. Latina’s accomplishments are a powerful reminder of the life-changing possibilities that come with second chances, inspiring minorities and showing that with determination, faith, and the will to overcome, anyone can chase and realize their dreams.
Sara Khun Leng
Sara’s life journey is a testament to resilience, leadership, and an unwavering dedication to public service, which has profoundly enriched the Lowell community. Sara and her family escaped the unimaginable horrors of the Killing Fields of Cambodia, finding refuge in Lowell, where they built a new life. A proud graduate of Lowell High School and UMass Lowell, Sara’s strong academic foundation launched a career deeply rooted in service to her community. After graduating, Sara worked with U.S. Representative Marty Meehan, the Lowell Police Department, and Congresswoman Lori Trahan. Today, she serves as the Program Development Manager at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where her work continues to have a lasting impact on the local community. She has served on the boards of the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association (CMAA), Girls Inc., Mosaic Lowell, and COOL. Sara is a dedicated volunteer, organizing fundraising events and galas for local nonprofits such as the Lowell Community Health Center, Coalition for a Better Acre (CBA), the Angkor Dance Troupe, and, more recently, the Lowell Youth Leadership Program. What sets Sara apart is her exceptional ability to address long-standing, systemic issues within Lowell’s diverse population. She has been a staunch supporter of marginalized communities, particularly refugees and Cambodian Americans. Her relentless commitment has earned her a well-deserved reputation as a trusted leader and changemaker in the community. Sara’s leadership shines brightest during times of crisis. She played a crucial role during the tragic Branch Street fire, which claimed seven lives, working tirelessly to coordinate services for survivors and arranging funeral services for the victims. During one of the most heartbreaking periods of her life—losing both parents to COVID-19—Sara put aside her personal grief to continue serving others. She devoted countless hours to ensure elderly community members had access to vaccinations, personally driving seniors to vaccination sites on weekends and arranging appointments during her off-hours. Whether in times of unimaginable loss or through her everyday efforts to improve the lives of those around her— she stands as a powerful testament to the courage, compassion, and dedication that the “Because of Her Award” seeks to honor. Her quiet yet profound influence continues to make a lasting difference in Greater Lowell, where she has earned the deep respect and admiration of all who know her. Because of her extraordinary contributions to the community, unwavering commitment to service, and lifelong advocacy for those in need, Sara is making a lasting difference to the community and Greater Lowell.
Sophea Sou-Krauss
Sophea Sou’s personal mission is to support individuals involved in the criminal legal system as they work to redirect their lives toward peaceful reintegration into society. As a child of Cambodian survivors of the Khmer Rouge who settled in Lowell, Sophea’s early life experiences deeply shaped her perspectives as an adult. Her commitment to violence prevention and helping those transitioning from incarceration has led to significant, though often unrecognized, contributions to the Lowell community. Since 2014, Sophea has been an active volunteer with the Angkor Dance Troupe, preserving and promoting Cambodian traditional dance. In April 2023, she joined the board of directors for THRIVE Communities, where she was appointed Board President. In this role, Sophea leads THRIVE’s staff in its mission to empower communities to support individuals returning from incarceration. Her vision brought forth a THRIVE workshop addressing the urgent intersection of reentry and immigration law, co-facilitated with a Lowell-based attorney. Sophea is a passionate advocate for reentry services, providing both education and direct support for individuals transitioning from incarceration, as well as the community members who support them, both personally and professionally. She also volunteers with Justice 4 Housing, a grassroots organization dedicated to ending housing discrimination and homelessness for those impacted by incarceration and those criminalized as victims of domestic violence. Her paid work aligns with her mission, as she serves as a fundraiser for UTEC, an organization helping disconnected young people break the cycle of violence and poverty to achieve social and economic success. In addition to these roles, Sophea has served as a panelist for the past three years at Locked in Solidarity, a program that unites religious communities to support reentry. She mentors returning citizens, offering both guidance and leadership, while advocating for systems that empower these individuals to succeed. Throughout all of her endeavors, Sophea is a strong advocate for equity and justice, working tirelessly to ensure that individuals returning from incarceration are given the tools, support, and opportunities they need to thrive.
Lowell Women's Week 