Maryanne Frangules is the definition of the ABH’s Lifetime Achievement award. She began her career as a clinician but quickly realized the great value of lived experience and the need for education and advocacy to address the stigma that many people and families faced who were experiencing addiction throughout all cultures. She has spent her entire career ensuring that the recovery community is “Visible, Vocal, and Valuable.” This passion and commitment led Maryanne to co-found the Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery (MOAR) in 1991 alongside Leroy Kelly. Her innovation, passion, and sheer determination established one of the first organized grassroots statewide organizations that has for over 30 years been educating, advocating, building community, and combatting the stigma of addiction.
Change does not happen by chance and Maryanne has been an amazing change agent. She has been instrumental in many legislative initiatives and bills including but not limited to Licensing of Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADC), advocating for funding parity for Substance Use Services, educating legislators on the lifechanging benefits of peer supports, and her steadfast leadership on the lawsuit against Big Pharm has made sweeping changes to our system.
While most of us know Maryanne in the context of MA. What many may not know is her influence extends nationally, as she served on the board of Faces and Voices of Recovery, contributing to shaping recovery policies and initiatives on a broader scale. She has garnered recognition both statewide and nationally for her tireless efforts, including MOAR’s designation as a SAMHSA National Recovery Month Planning Partner and MOAR’s receipt of the Joel Hernandez Advocacy Award in 2012. Within this time frame, Maryanne has been very grateful for MOAR’s association with MBAC, and especially that of Leah Randolph. Throughout the years, there has been combined advocacy with Leah’s support to build culturally sensitive services. While Maryanne has championed numerous initiatives to empower the recovery community and combat stigma she has shined brightly for 34 consecutive years of Recovery Day. Over the years Recovery Day has brought thousands of people together to promote the joy of recovery.