Below is a press release from State Senator Vanna Howard’s Office:
BOSTON, MA — State Sen. Vanna Howard celebrated Susu Wong last month with an inaugural Commonwealth Pride Award, a newly founded event that celebrates the rich accomplishments and talents of Massachusetts’ LGBTQ+ community.
“Through her bold advocacy, sharp business acumen, and tireless volunteerism, Susu Wong has become a transformative force in the Commonwealth. She is a true catalyst for change, lifting countless individuals across female, AAPI, and LGBTQ+ communities,” said Howard (D-Lowell). “As we celebrate the extraordinary impact of LGBTQ+ leaders across our Commonwealth and our country, I am deeply honored to nominate Susu as an inaugural Commonwealth Pride Award recipient. My sincere thanks go to the Massachusetts LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucus and all who made this moment a reality.”
“I’m deeply honored to receive the inaugural Commonwealth Pride Award. I’m grateful to live in a Commonwealth where our Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and state legislators recognize and celebrate LGBTQ+ leaders,” said Susu Wong, of Wilmington. “My heartfelt thanks to Senator Vanna Howard for nominating me and to the Massachusetts LGBTQ+ Caucus for this meaningful recognition. I’m especially grateful to Senator Howard for her leadership and unwavering commitment to our communities. This honor belongs to everyone working to build a more inclusive and equitable Commonwealth.”
Wong is the founder and CEO of the digital marketing agency Tomo360, based in Lowell, which started in 2012. The company is a trusted partner for businesses, nonprofits, higher education institutions, and government agencies. Throughout her career, she has honed her skills across various industries including high-tech, health care, biotech, higher education and startups. This has strengthened her marketing approach and has instilled confidence in her ability to adapt and excel in any sector.
In addition to her work in the private sector, Wong is an active member of the community and dedicates her time volunteering for multiple organizations locally and across the commonwealth. She is the co-founder of Women Accelerators, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping early-stage women professionals advance their careers through education, mentorship and leadership training. She has also served as chair of the board of the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce; on the executive board of the Merrimack Repertory Theatre; as a board member of OUTBIO, the largest LGBTQ professionals’ group in the biotech industry; and trustee of the Proprietors of the Lowell Cemetery.
This award is the latest recognition for Wong’s leadership which includes a 2025 selection by the Boston LGBTQ+ Museum as one of its Portraits of Pride in the museum’s annual public art exhibition honoring LGBTQ+ leaders. This year, Embrace Boston presented her and her spouse, UMass Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen, with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King Award for their distinguished service and visionary leadership. She was also recognized this year by the Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, who named her Board Member of the Year in recognition of her contributions to the organization.
“We are proud to recognize all of the incredible LGBTQ+ leaders who make Massachusetts stronger every day. Here in Massachusetts, we’ve been leading the nation in the fight for freedom over generations. It began 251 years ago when we started a revolution that spearheaded our nation’s democracy and has continued as the state that led on abolition, women’s rights, Civil Rights, and LGBTQ+ rights,” said Gov. Maura Healey. “Today, we’re proud to be the state at the forefront of our nation’s freedoms and we will continue to ensure that Massachusetts remains a safe and welcoming place for all. We’re grateful to the LGBTQ+ Caucus for recognizing the impact of our state’s LGBTQ+ trailblazers and offer a deep congratulations to the inaugural group of Commonwealth Pride awardees!”
“Among this year’s inaugural honorees are leaders representing countless professions, backgrounds, and experiences, but who share a common commitment: making their communities more welcoming, more inclusive, and more vibrant,” said Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. “Together, they are the epitome of excellence and we’re thankful for what they contribute to our state. Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees, and happy Pride!”
“In Massachusetts, diversity is our strength—and I’m thrilled we are taking steps to formally recognize the amazing LGBTQ+ members of our communities,” stated Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland). “Across our country, many people are feeling the strain of having to defend their dignity, as well as their right to even exist, while the democratic ideals that should protect us all are being eroded at the federal level. In Massachusetts, we will not only defend but celebrate our LGBTQ+ friends, neighbors and loved ones. Congratulations to all of the individuals receiving recognition this year—and thank you for making Massachusetts your home.”
“On behalf of the House of Representatives, I want to congratulate those being honored today for the inaugural Commonwealth Pride Awards,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I’m grateful to the Massachusetts LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucus for highlighting the important contributions of the LGBTQ+ community here in the Commonwealth, and for the work that the caucus does to ensure that every person in Massachusetts is treated equally under the law.”
For the first time ever, the caucus was proud to host the Commonwealth Pride Awards: Celebrating LGBTQ+ Excellence on the Hill. The event is slated to occur annually during Pride Month. The event honored 110-plus community leaders, each nominated by their state legislators. The group spanned an enormous breadth of achievement and included public servants, advocates, doctors, authors, filmmakers, educators, historians, entrepreneurs and religious leaders, highlighting the collective impact of the LGBTQ+ community.
“As co-chair of the Massachusetts Legislature’s LGBTQ+ Caucus, I’m proud of the Commonwealth’s nation-leading reputation on LGBTQ+ rights and social justice. Much of our legislative success is intertwined with the boundless talent, leadership, and hard work of the LGBTQ+ community – people who stood up, turned out, and led the way,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Kate Hogan (D-Stow). “These awards are a wonderful way to celebrate those efforts and achievements and to shine a light on the fight to advance equality, inclusion, and protections for all.”
“Here in Massachusetts, we take immense pride in the innumerable contributions of LGBTQ+ people and the profoundly positive impact the queer community has on our Commonwealth,” Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Truro) said. “We have long been a home for trailblazers, agitators, and pioneers in the LGBTQ+ movement, and the Commonwealth Pride Awards are about recognizing individuals from every corner of Massachusetts who carry that legacy into the future. Massachusetts is a more inclusive place for us all to live our most authentic lives thanks to today’s awardees.”
“A few years ago, some colleagues and I began talking about creating a Pride Awards celebration. We imagined a day during Pride Month when our community could gather under the golden dome and celebrate one another,” said Rep. Jack Patrick Lewis (D-Framingham) “Today, we made that vision a reality. I am so honored to have helped establish this event, and I am forever grateful for the legislators, participants, and friends that made this possible.”
The Massachusetts LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucus, made up of the commonwealth’s LGBTQ+ legislators, advocates for legislation relating to LGBTQ+ issues, provides networking and professional support for members, and commemorates the storied history of LGBTQ+ political advocacy in Massachusetts. Recent wins include expanding access to HIV-prevention services, protecting privacy in legal name changes, ensuring protections for LGBTQ+ students and seniors, and legislation safeguarding legal parentage for adoptive and other families under the Parentage Act.
Massachusetts has long served as a nationwide leader for LGBTQ+ rights and social justice. In 2004, it became the first state to grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Massachusetts became the first state in the country to support transgender protections through popular vote in 2018. It consistently ranks highly among U.S. states and territories in LGBTQ+ rights and social acceptance.
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