Golden Shoe Awards

WalkMassachusetts presents the Golden Shoe Awards at our annual celebration each year to celebrate and reward those who have bettered the walking environment and who exemplify the ideals that guide WalkMassachusetts. Golden Shoes are awarded to individuals, agencies, municipalities and companies. Have an idea for a future Golden Shoe winner? You can always make suggestions by sending us an email.

2024
Keynote Speaker Monica Tibbits-Nutt | Monica Tibbits-Nutt is the current Secretary and CEO of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). Her responsibilities include overseeing the four divisions of MassDOT, namely Highway, Rail and Transit, Registry of Motor Vehicles, and Aeronautics. She is also a member of the Massport and MBTA Board of Directors. Tibbits-Nutt has extensive experience in transportation planning, urban design, and transit equity. She is committed to educating transportation stakeholders and the public about the planning process and serves as the Vice President of the non-profit Youth Engagement Planning. She is an active member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and is a LEED Accredited Professional in Building Design & Construction with the U.S. Green Building Council. Prior to her appointment as Secretary, she served as Undersecretary of MassDOT and Executive Director of the 128 Business Council.
Noemy Rodriguez | Noemy Rodriguez‘s dedication to community engagement and language justice is commendable. Her leadership in the Caminatas initiative has created a space for local community members to address walkability and environmental justice.
First Resource Companies | WalkMassachusetts applauds your efforts to install pedestrian safety measures, especially in Springfield. A new crosswalk and installation of a Rapid Flashing Beacon at the Mason Square Apartments at Indian Motorcycle has provided additional pedestrian safety in the area. Additionally, we acknowledge the positive impact of many of First Resource’s projects on creating walkable community nodes. Your commitment to fostering pedestrian-friendly environments is truly admirable and contributes significantly to the well-being of the community.
Worcester Department of Public Health | WalkMassachusetts extends its gratitude to the City of Worcester Division of Public Health leadership team for their dedication to improving the pedestrian experience and fostering an age-friendly Worcester. We will be recognizing Director Soloe Dennis, Sandy Amoakohene, and Ydalia Heimann with this award. We commend Worcester DPH for their commitment to meaningful community engagement and for setting an example for future Walk Audit Academy cohorts. Your efforts have laid the groundwork for the implementation of Vision Zero strategies in Worcester, and we eagerly anticipate collaborating with you to create safer, more equitable, and inclusive streets and neighborhoods for all residents.

2023 – Read about the winners
Fred Salvucci | lifelong work as a civil engineer, educator, transportation advocate, and coalition builder. From expanding Boston’s transit system to being a key developer of the Big Dig project, Fred’s tireless dedication to the wellbeing, connectivity, and prosperity of his beloved city continues to inspire us today.
Merrimack Valley Fare-Free Program & Bus Transformation | collaboration that resulted in a fare-free bus pilot that became permanent in the Merrimack Valley! Along with increasing accessibility for low-income riders and the frequency of bus operation, the recent rebrand of the MVRTA into MeVA deliberately speaks to the community’s Spanish-speaking riders. From its tagline “Let’s go/íVamos!” to the buses’ cheerful new color scheme, MeVa’s visionary approach to public transit has tremendously increased ridership across the Valley.
MassTrails | inter-agency initiative of the Commonwealth led by the Governor’s Office in collaboration with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the Department of Transportation, and the Department of Conservation and Recreation, has developed a unified vision for a trails network across the Commonwealth.
Keynote Speaker Dr. Karilyn Crockett | Dr. Crockett’s research focuses on large-scale land use changes in twentieth century American cities and examines the social and geographic implications of structural poverty and racial formations. Karilyn’s book “People before Highways: Boston Activists, Urban Planners, and a New Movement for City Making” (UMASS Press 2018) investigates a 1960s era grassroots movement to halt urban extension of the U.S. interstate highway system and the geographic and political changes in Boston that resulted.

2022 – Read about the winners
Josh Ostroff | walking advocacy in Natick and the greater Metrowest region
Meg Robertson | multi-decade champion throughout the Commonwealth for people with intellectual disabilities and vision impairment, blindness or deafblindness.
“Just Walk Boston” | founded by Brandy Cruthird as a way of fighting pandemic-induced loneliness and segregated public space through the simple act of walking.
Keynote Speaker Kyle Robidoux | Kyle has spent his entire professional career working with community based organizations and local government. Most recently, Kyle worked as the Chief of Staff for Mayor Kim Janey’s Council President Office and currently works with the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Office of Housing Stability as the Assistant Director. Kyle is a sponsored athlete with and ultra-distance runner and the current Board President with FriendshipWorks. He lives in the Lower Roxbury neighborhood with his wife and daughter. Read more about Kyle on our website.

2021 – Read about the winners
Karen Cord Taylor | longtime WalkBoston board member
MassDOT Shared Streets and Spaces Program | with special recognition to the Barr Foundation and Solomon Foundation. Accepted by Kate Fichter.
Frank Caro (in memoriam) | Accepted by Carol Caro.
Keynote Panel
Tracy A. Corley, PhD – Director of Research and Partnerships at the Conservation Law Foundation
Mike McGinn – Executive Director at America Walks
Jodie Medeiros – Executive Director at Walk San Francisco
Alexander Train, AICP – Director, Department of Housing and Community Development for the City of Chelsea

2020 – Read about the winners
Boston Public Library | Boston Public Library: David Leonard; Eamon Shelton; Michael Colford; Laura Irmscher; Ellen Donaghey; Beth Prindle; Boston Public Facilities Dept.: Patrick Brophy (Mayor’s Office); Tricia Lyons; Jim McQueen; Maureen Anderson; William Rawn Associates: Bill Rawn; Cliff Gayley; Sindu Meier; Elizabeth Bondaryk; Andy Jonic; Reed Hilderbrand: Doug Reed; Adrian Nial; Consigli Construction: Jim Hervol; Phil Brault; PMA: Chris Carroll.
Coalition for a Better Acre Walking Champions | Aurora Erickson (CBA program leader), Maria Claudio, Laura Diaz, Destiny Gath, Billy Heath, Michael Heath, Nandi Munson, Marianne Staid, Luz Vasudevan, and Ediana and Angel Williams.
Tufts Health Plan Foundation & Boston Age Strong Commission | Tufts Health Plan Foundation: Nora Moreno-Cargie; Phillip Gonzalez; Kimberly Blakemore; Boston Age Strong Commission: Emily Shea; Andrea Burns; Nicole Chandler.
Keynote Speaker Mark Fenton

2019 – Read about the winners
Fall River Walking Champions | Friends of the Quequechan River Rail Trail: Janice Velozo and many others | Bike Fall River: Brian Pearson and many others | Fall River School Dept: David Assad | Fall River Dept of Community Maintenance: John Perry, Laura Ferreira | Fall River Dept of Health, Mass in Motion: Julianne Kelly, Eric Andrade | Fall River Engineer (retired): Byron Holmes | Fall River Police Dept: Officer Rick Saraiva | Fall River Fire Dept: Chief John Lynch | Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD): Jackie Jones
Springfield Walking Champions | City of Springfield Dept of Health and Human Services: Helen Caulton-Harris, Commissioner, Benjamin Bland, Mass in Motion Coordinator, Kiah McAndrew-Davis, 1422 Grant Manager | City of Springfield Dept of Public Works: Matt Sokop, Chief Engineer | Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, Catherine Ratté | LiveWell Springfield, Jessica Collins | Wayfinders, Beatrice Dewberry | WalkBike Springfield, Betsy Johnson |
Keynote speaker Eric Fleegler, MD, MPH, a pediatric emergency physician and health services researcher at Boston Children’s Hospital. His research includes articles that identify pedestrian road safety as a public health priority and ways to address racial/ethnic health disparities in pediatric asthma outcomes.

2018 – Read about the winners
Underground at Ink Block Team | MassDOT, National Development, Landing Studio, Street Theory, KP Strategies, Visual Dialogue, VHB
Laura Brelsford, Kathryn Quigley, Chris Hart, Melissa Dullea, Erik Scheier | MBTA Plan for Accessible Transit Infrastructure (PATI) Project Team
Matt Lawlor & Hillary Borcherding | WalkBoston Board Members
Keynote Speaker Jeff Speck | Walkable City author, TED speaker

2017 – Read about the winners
Alison Pultinas | Persistent, effective Mission Hill/Roxbury citizen activist
S. Clarke Bankert, Healthy Hampshire | Rural walking advocate in Western Massachusetts
Caitlin Marquis, Healthy Hampshire | Rural walking advocate in Western Massachusetts
Dillon Sussman, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission | Rural walking advocate in Western Massachusetts
Keynote Speaker Michelle Wu, Boston City Council President

2016 – Read about the winners
Charlotte Fleetwood | City of Boston
Paul Malkemes, The Boston Project Ministries / Talbot-Norfolk Triangle Neighbors United & David Queeley, Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation | Grassroots “Slow Zone” Pioneers
Maggie Sachs-Mahmood | Codman Academy
Keynote Speaker Leah Shahum | Founder and Director, Vision Zero Network

2015
Tom DiPaolo | MassDOT
Bonnie Polin | MassDOT
City of Somerville – Mayor Joe Curtatone and Community Partners | Shape Up Somerville, Health Department: Erica Satin Hernandez; Department of Strategic Planning and Community Development: Michael F. Glavin; Hayes Morrison; Human Rights Commission: Sonja Darai; East Somerville Main Streets: Renee Polcaro; Union Square Main Streets: Suzanne Bremer; STEP (Somerville Transportation Equity Partnership): Ellin Reisner; Friends of the Community Path: Lynn Weissman, Alan Moore; Groundwork Somerville: Chris Mancini; School Committee, Adam Sweeting; School Department, Tony Pierantozzi; Friends of the Healey School

2014
Sarah Freeman | Jamaica Plain walking advocate
Mayor Gary Christenson, Sharon Santillo & Frank Stella | Malden ped activists
Revere Walk to School Champions |
Karin Valentine Goins | WalkBike Worcester co-founder

2012
Dr. Regina Benjamin  | United States Surgeon General
Energize Everett  | Creatively getting Everett moving and eating well | Kathleen O’Brien
Harvard Pilgrim Health Plan Foundation   | Innovative funder and childhood obesity advocate | Karen Voci
Vicki Danberg  | Newton Alderman and sidewalk snow clearing champion
Joyce DiBona  | WalkBoston board member

2011
Alan French | Bay Circuit Alliance 200-mile walking trail creator
Doug Johnson | Persistent and persuasive advocate
Brockton Public Schools | Schools, principles, kids, parents – a success story | Jane Feroli
Denise Provost | Somerville legislator and walking promoter

2010
Polly Flansburgh | Founder of Boston By Foot
Jeff Rosenblum | President and Co-Founded of LiveableStreets
Mary Jane Williams | Leader, innovator, and pro-walking advocate
Myron Miller | Trustee of the progressive Herman and Frieda L. Miller Foundation

2009
Four Corners Main Street | Creating a vital/walkable business district | Shelly Goehring
Liz Levin | Leader, advocate, inspiration
Lea Susan Ojamaa | MA Dept. of Public Health, healthy communities leader
Jim Rooney | MA Convention Center Authority, bringing walking to conventioneers

2008
Paul Grogan | The Boston Foundation
Susan Bregman | WalkBoston volunteer webmaster
Nancy Caruso | North End and CA/T community activisit
Patrick Healy | Nutritionist, walking advocate, and leader
Uphams Corner Health Center | Walking Prescriptions Program

2007

2006
Ken Kruckemeyer | Transportation Strategist
Chris Hart | Adaptive Environments
Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center
South Cove Community Health Center
Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Office

2004
Beth Larkin | HNTB Corporation
William “Buzz” Constable
City of Cambridge Health Department
Ann Hershfang | WalkBoston | Outgoing 15-year president

2000
Save the Old Northern Avenue Bridge Coalition | Mike Tyrell, Paul Farrell, Albert Rex, Sean McDonnell
Hyde Square Traffic Calming Coalition
Artery Business Committee | Rick Dimino
Anne Fanton | Central Artery Environmental Oversight Committee

1997
State Representative Anne Paulsen | Pedestrian legislation and general support
Charles Bahne | WalkBoston
Sonia Hamel | Executive Office of Environmental Affairs | Founder, Golden Shoe inventor and major force in our early years

1993
Malcolm Davis | WalkBoston
Howard Taub | WalkBoston

1992
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority | Southwest Corridor Project
Ted Monacelli | Cambridge Redevelopment Authority and Monacelli Associates | Kendall Square
Laurel Siegel | WalkBoston

1991
Dorothea Hass | WalkBoston | Advocacy and founding efforts
Ann Hershfang | WalkBoston | Advocacy and founding efforts