When we invited our readers to nominate someone special for the inaugural CambridgeToday Community Builders Awards in the Unsung Hero category, we hoped to find someone who made a quiet but lasting impact.
We found her. Her name is Tammy Saunders.
Saunders has spent 25 years strengthening the Cambridge community through her work at Langs Community Health Centre, organizing and leading workshops that help local youth realize their potential and support adults in gaining new skills.
She was shocked when we told her she had won.
“I’m honoured. I feel really blessed. I don’t know what to do with this personally—it’s a lot,” she said, taking her time to find the words. “I feel seen and heard.”
Saunders is a shining example of an ‘Unsung Hero’. Her coworkers described her as someone who embodies the spirit of community, who creates inclusive, non-judgemental spaces and inspires others to contribute.
“Tammy goes above and beyond to strengthen the mental and emotional well-being of everyone she encounters,” shared Dave Cooke, a colleague and friend of Saunders. “She has made the community not just more active but also stronger and more unified."
At the heart of Saunders’ approach is her passion for relationship-building. She believes that connection is at the core of strong, healthy communities and stresses the importance of showing understanding and empathy, even in small everyday interactions.
“When the lady at the grocery store gets snappy with you, don’t take it personally,” she says. “You never know what someone is going through. It’s so important to have that understanding.”
Saunders knows firsthand how hard it can be for people to step out and make connections and she encourages anyone feeling isolated to take that first step.
“Loneliness is an epidemic,” she says. “The cure is community. Showing up, connecting with people and being part of something is so important.”
In her decades of bettering the community, Saunders has never been recognized for the incredible impact that she has had on Cambridge—until today.
“I am not someone who can stand up in front of a crowd of people,” Saunders told us. “I prefer to work as a team—to feel like I am working alongside program participants, rather than leading the way.”
“It’s nice to know that the work you do doesn’t have to be loud to be noticed.”
Saunders may not seek the spotlight, but her impact on the Cambridge community is undeniable. Her work, her heart, and her commitment to others are exactly what the Unsung Hero award was created to honour.
Congratulations, Tammy, and thank you for everything you do.
CambridgeToday is proud to make a difference in our community by highlighting extraordinary individuals and organizations with the Community Builders Awards, a foundational piece of our CambridgeToday Cares program.
The CambridgeToday Cares team's mission is to create meaningful change in Cambridge - and inspire others to do the same.
