Mattapoisett Mom Named Commonwealth Heroine for Changing Pediatric Care

Jill Fearons, founder and director of the Friends of Jack Foundation, was honored this week as a 2026 Commonwealth Heroine by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women. The award recognizes women across the Commonwealth who have made meaningful contributions to their communities through leadership and service. Fearons, a Mattapoisett resident, mother of six, and former elementary school teacher, was nominated by State Rep. Mark Sylvia of Fairhaven.

Why Was Jill Fearons Named a Commonwealth Heroine

Fearons founded Friends of Jack in 2019 after experiencing a living nightmare with her son Jack, who survived Chiari Malformation. Her hospital experiences inspired her to address the need for child life programs that act as a liason between kids, families, and health care providers as they deal with frightening medical procedures. Under her leadership, the foundation has funded child life specialists at hospitals across the SouthCoast and Providence. Incredibly, the Friends of Jack Foundation has raised over $3.5 million entirely through individual donors and small businesses.

Funding Child Life Programs Across the SouthCoast

Fearons and Executive Director Peter Cohenno reflected on the honor together. "Being nominated by Rep. Sylvia, who sees firsthand the caliber of people and organizations recognized at the state level, means Jill's work is being noticed beyond the SouthCoast community."

How Fearons Feels About the Hero Title

Fearons said the heroine title sits a little uncomfortably with her, insisting the real credit belongs to her board, Cohenno, and donations from the entire SouthCoast community, all of which make the foundation's work possible.