In September, we had the pleasure of celebrating the fifth “Wine with the Wild Women of Westford” event. This program honors the remarkable contributions made by women in shaping the history of our community and beyond.
Additionally, we are delighted to recognize an exceptional member of our community whose wisdom and positivity serve as an inspiration to all. This event provides a fantastic opportunity to come together and acknowledge our Wild Women of Westford.
Emily Teller is an inspiring force in our community—a passionate activist and unwavering supporter of Westford! Her leadership shines brightly as she champions the needs of our town, bringing people together and driving positive change.
Emily’s journey into community service in Westford began with her involvement at the Roudenbush Community Center, followed by her efforts to halt a Walmart project. Motivated by a desire to preserve Westford’s town character, Emily was part of the committee that successfully stopped the development.
Since 2004, Emily has served as the Westford representative for the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, a 25-mile route that follows the old Framingham & Lowell Railroad line. The trail is open to non-motorized activities, including cycling, jogging, walking, rollerblading, and skiing. In an interview, Emily mentioned, “The trail is a safe place to get out into nature.”
Another notable initiative of Emily’s is her involvement with the Westford Climate Action Committee, where she is dedicated to promoting clean and sustainable energy. However, the high costs of solar installations and electric vehicles have made it challenging. Despite this, she firmly believes that such actions are essential for the climate and beneficial for us all.
In recognition of her unwavering commitment to the community, Emily was named the 2023 Commonwealth Heroine. Jim Aceriro expressed his appreciation by stating, “It is an honor to nominate both a dear friend and a remarkable, civic-minded individual like Emily. She is an incredibly generous person who has dedicated thousands of hours of her time to make Westford a more special place.”
Recently, Emily co-founded Westford Women’s Voices, an organization dedicated to identifying and supporting women leaders who aspire to serve in local government. The group’s mission is to provide essential resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to help women thrive in leadership roles.
While these only highlight a few of her key contributions, they barely scratch the surface of Emily’s extensive work for the town. She has also collaborated with organizations such as the First Parish Church United, Drew Farms, the Parish Center for the Arts, the Westford Conservation Trust, and the Westford Historical Society and Museum.
She participated in campaigns for eight women running for office in Westford. Anita Tonakarn-Nguyen remarked, “Emily was my biggest cheerleader when I decided to run for the Select Board. Without any hesitation, she jumped right in to spread the word about me and to introduce me to potential supporters. Emily’s energy and support were unwavering. I feel eternally grateful that she believed in me and helped me believe in myself.”
I want to share my favorite story about Emily. This spring, students from Westford Academy completed their senior Capstone internships at the Westford Museum. As part of their project, they interviewed eight of the eleven women who served on the Westford Selectboard, and Emily’s name came up repeatedly in discussions about the support she provided during their campaigns.
Dini Healey-Coffin, one of the many women Emily supported, ran for the Selectboard for four terms. At the first Selectboard meeting following each election, Emily was there, sitting on the right side of the room. This past spring, as she once again supported our women candidates for election, Noelle Dovan became the twelfth woman elected to the Selectboard. I watched the first Selectboard meeting after the election from home, and guess who was sitting on the right side of the room? Emily Teller!
When asked about her inspiration, Emily mentioned her mother, who had a significant impact on her life. “My mother always said that you should leave a place better than you found it.” This philosophy has become a guiding principle for Emily, evident in everything she does.
Emily demonstrates a proactive spirit and a strong commitment to her community. As Jim Acerio fittingly puts it, “And I believe she is only just getting started.”
Emily Teller, you are the Wild Woman of Westford.
Research and Interview by
Imaan Choudhry, 2025, Summer Intern, Westford Museum
Compiled by
Linda Greene, Director, Westford Museum