40 Under Forty 2020: Sarah Connell Sanders
Photo: Matthew Wright
Sarah Connell Sanders
- Title: Media specialist
- Companies: Pop It, Worcester Public Schools
- Residence: Worcester
- Birthplace: Northampton
- Colleges: Fordham University, Boston College, Worcester State University
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Sarah Connell Sanders is committed to being an ambassador for the city of Worcester. Other than her role as a public school teacher, Sanders is a prolific journalist, averaging 3,000 words per week in local publications. Sanders’ work creates conversations around important social issues like sexual misconduct, policing, the wage gap, and urban development.
She was recognized in 2019 as Worcester’s Best Columnist in the Best of Worcester awards from Worcester Magazine. However, Sanders’ work goes past newspapers and classrooms. After being disheartened by the lack of representation for womxn in local radio, she began recording Pop It, a show dedicated to womxn’s voices. Pop It has more than 80 episodes with more than 16,000 downloads. She directed the TEDx event in the Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts in Worcester in 2015, which has amassed more than 1.7 million views on Youtube. Sanders is a social media consultant for multiple nonprofits. Other than her work in media, Sanders’ helped secure more than $4.3 million for the renovation of the Worcester Public Library and more than $30,000 for the revitalization of the James Courville Arboretum in Auburn. As a member of the POW! WOW! Worcester sponsorship committee, Sanders has assisted in securing funds for more than 100 public art installations.
What city would you like to visit for 24 hours? The pandemic delayed our honeymoon to Sorrento, Italy. Turns out, I’m content in any old city with my husband, Jacob Sanders, by my side.
What was your hardest career achievement? Reporting on alleged sexual misconduct at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester was the most difficult assignment of my career. I could not have proceeded without the tremendous emotional labor and bravery of the survivors.
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Why is “women”, spelled “womxn” in this article?
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