U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire recently accepted the New England Council’s “New Englander of the Year” award, recognizing her leadership and contributions to the region’s economy and quality of life.

Shaheen, a Democrat, accepted the award during the New England Council’s annual dinner in Boston on Oct. 11. The organization has presented the award since 1964, selecting politicians, business owners and non-profit leaders who have had an impact on the region. Last year’s recipients were Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), author and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, and Northeast Utilities chairman Charles Shivery.

When elected in 2008, Shaheen became the first woman in history to become both a governor and a U.S. senator. James Brett, president of the New England Council, cited Shaheen’s historic accomplishments and credited her with working across the aisle for the betterment of the region.