2015 Women of Distinction Contemporary Book

8/9/2019 2015 Women of Distinction Contemporary Book

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May 5, 2015

Dear Friends,

It is our pleasure to welcome you to this year’s Women of Distinction celebration. Sponsored

by the New York State Senate, this event showcases outstanding women living and working

in New York State whose contributions have greatly enriched the quality of life in theircommunities and beyond.

From the women’s suffrage movement 150 years ago to the present day, women have played a

crucial role in New York State’s political, social and economic development. Today we recognize

a select group of women who represent the qualities of leadership, compassion, and diligence.

Let us celebrate their hard work and subsequent success individually, but also be mindful

that today’s honor spotlights the groups they are involved in and the causes they fight for.

These New York State women of outstanding accomplishment and importance are well-deserving of today’s recognition. Many of the honorees have overcome battles, given countless

hours of service to their community, and achieved extraordinary milestones.

On behalf of the New York State Senate, we would like to send our warmest regards to all of

you attending the Women of Distinction celebration, and we offer our sincerest congratulations

to all of the women being honored in today’s celebration. Your dedication, commitment and

success are an inspiration for all New Yorkers.

Senator Dean G. Skelos Senator Jeffrey D. Klein

DISTINCTION

Women of HONORING WOMEN IN NE W YORK

Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins

Senator Jeffrey D. Klein

Independent Democratic

Conference Leader

Coalition Leader

Senator Dean G. Skelos

Temporary President

Majority Leader

Coalition Leader


Democratic

Conference Leader


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Women of HONORING WOMEN IN NEW YORK

NEW YORK STATE SEN ATE


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Program

Inspirational Reading by:Maureen McAuliffe

Welcoming RemarksSenator Elizabeth Little


Senator Jeffrey D. Klein

Senator Dean G. Skelos

Presentation of AwardsJulia Lilkendey

Closing RemarksSenator Diane Savino

Musical Performance by:

Albany High School Albanettes

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Women of HONORING WOMEN I N NEW YORK


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DISTINCTIONWomen of HONORING WOMEN IN NEW YORK

The New York State Senate

is taking special note of the enormous

contributions that women have

made throughout the state and nation.

The women honored in this program

have enriched the quality of life in theEmpire State and beyond.

Their achievements should be

a source of pride and inspiration

to all New Yorkers.


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M arisol Alcantara was born in the Dominican Republic, the only child of parents who wanted

a better future for their child. At the age of 12, she immigrated to Maryland to reunite with herfamily. Education has always been one of Marisol’s priorities, and in seeking higher education, shemoved to New York City to pursue a Bachelor’s in Government and Political Science from ManhattanCollege. She then went on to graduate work in Urban Affairs from Queens College and completeda fellowship from The New York Immigration and Coro. In 2004, Ms. Alcantara was one of 25individuals selected by United Way of New York to be a Junior American Leader.

Marisol Alcantara’s passion has always been to educate and empower minorities, women andimmigrant workers. Witnessing all of her family’s hard work, she dedicated her professional life to

uplift all who are disenfranchised. Ms. Alcantara has been at the forefront of political arenas locallyand nationally, whether organizing Latinos for the 2008 presidential election or working as CampaignManager to Elect City Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez in 2001 and 2008. In 2004, she coordinatedthe SEIU’s Latino outreach efforts and supervised member volunteers in Southern Florida duringthe 2004 presidential election. She was the Co-Director of the Caribbean Power in Vote in BrowardCounty, Florida for SEIU, and currently works as a Union Organizer /Representative for the New YorkState Nurses Association.

For more than 10 years, Ms. Alcantara has dedicated her efforts to protecting the rights of low wageworkers as a union delegate for such labor unions as SEIU 32BJ, SEIU 758, HERE Local 100 and the

Immigrant Worker Assistance Alliance. She has served as the national chapter coordinator for the Rev.Al Sharpton’s National Action Network.

Marisol Alcantara has lived in Hamilton Heights for the last 12 years, and was active with CommunityBoard 9. As a parent, she has lobbied for public schools and for creating more green spaces in ourcommunities.

In 2010, Ms. Alcantara ran and won the Democratic District Leaderposition in West Harlem and will be running for the State Senate seatin the 31st district of Manhattan. She has participated on numerouspanels, and as a speaker for Cornell School of Labor Studies, Women’sLabor Conference, the National Organization for Women, WBAI andHostos Community College.

Marisol Alcantara

Marisol Alcantara was selected as a 2015 Woman

of Distinction by Senator Adriano Espaillat.


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J ane Aoyama-Martin is the Executive Director of the Pace Women’s Justice Center (PWJC) at Pace Law

School in White Plains, New York. Founded in 1991, PWJC is dedicated to eliminating domestic violence

and elder abuse. To do so, it provides training, community education and outreach, and free civil legal

services to victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and elder abuse.

Ms. Aoyama-Martin has been active in the anti-domestic violence movement throughout her professional

life, and she has seen to it personally that women find their voice in the midst of such violence. She is a

founding and former board member of the New York Asian Women’s Center – the first project on the East

Coast to organize women on the problems of battering and sexual assault in the Asian community.

Ms. Aoyama-Martin serves on the Board of The Havens Relief Fund Society, a private foundation that

helps individuals and families overcome crises. She lectures and trains new attorneys, and for many years

was a key instructor at the Intensive Trial Skills Training for Effective Representation of Battered Women,

sponsored by the New York State Offi ce for the Prevention of Domestic Violence.

An active member of the Westchester Women’s Agenda, Ms. Aoyama-Martin is also involved with the

Westchester County Domestic Violence Council, 9th Judicial District Gender Fairness Committee, Lawyers

Committee Against Domestic Violence, New York State Maintenance Standards Coalition and Westchester

Women’s Bar Association.

Ms. Aoyama-Martin has spent most of her life in public service; her first legal job was serving the poor

as a legal services attorney in upstate New York. She has worked as a New York State Assistant Attorney

General, solo practitioner and senior associate in a private firm. Prior to serving as Pace Women’s Justice

Center Executive Director, she supervised the New York City Legal Aid Society’s family law practice in the

Bronx and Harlem, and co-supervised the Society’s city-wide domestic violence project.

Ms. Aoyama-Martin is an important presence in the fight for basic human

rights, whether it be combatting domestic violence, sexual assault, elder

abuse or poverty. She works tirelessly to ensure that those who are made

to feel small know that they have a real voice and that they can be saved.

Jane Aoyama-Martin

Jane Aoyama-Martin was selected as a 2015 Woman of

Distinction by Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins.


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M ary Ann Ashley is passionate about giving back to the community where she lives and works.

Ms. Ashley has served in many professional capacities, including as a NYSARC Case Manager, Canton Youth

Center Director and as St. Lawrence County Youth Bureau Director. For the past 25 years, she has worked

with youth in her community as a St. Lawrence Lewis-BOCES School Counselor, including in the Special

Education Division, and now at the Seaway Career and Technical Education Center. In addition, Ms. Ashley

was Co-President of the St. Lawrence Lewis BOCES Teachers’ Association, President of the Northern Zone

Association for Counselors and Development, and a member of the St. Lawrence County Branch of the

American Association of University Women.

Elected to serve two terms on the Canton Central School Board, Ms. Ashley was also very active in the

parent teacher associations while her son went through school. She was instrumental in creating the

Canton Central Golden Bear Foundation and Gay Straight Alliance Program.

Ms. Ashley was elected to the Canton Village Board for two terms, and is entering her second year as

Mayor, where she has earned a reputation for working in a bipartisan way to help improve her community.

When Ms. Ashley became a trustee, she pledged to return her salary to the Canton community. In her firstyear, she developed a kayak rental program, purchasing 10 kayaks for the public to enjoy the Grasse River.

Over five years, she has donated nearly $25,000 to community groups, including the Canton Community

Fund, Grasse River Heritage, Canton Rushton Canoe Weekend, Canton Chamber of Commerce Winterfest,

Canton Recreation Program, the Canton Fire Department and Traditional Arts in Upstate New York.

Ms. Ashley is a graduate of Ogdensburg Free Academy, and earned her

Associates in Criminal Justice at SUNY Canton, Bachelor’s in Human

Services from SUNY Plattsburgh and Master’s in General Education from St.

Lawrence University. She earned her permanent Certificate of Advanced

Study as a School Administrator from SUNY Plattsburgh.

Mary Ann Ashley

Mary Ann Ashley was selected as a 2015 Woman of

Distinction by Senator Patricia A. Ritchie.


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S usan Auriemma is a devoted mother who suffered a near-tragedy, leading her to become a tireless

and passionate advocate for child safety.

Ms. Auriemma’s life was forever changed when she was backing her sport utility vehicle up a driveway and

her youngest daughter ran out of the house. Ms. Auriemma was unable to see her daughter behind her,

and struck her. Her daughter survived with only minor injuries, but Ms. Auriemma was so shaken that she

began to immerse herself in advocacy to help save lives and protect other families.

What started with a letter to her local community newspaper grew into Ms. Auriemma becoming a

national safety advocate. She has appeared on television and has traveled across the nation to tell her

story and discuss steps drivers can take to prevent back-over tragedies. Ms. Auriemma has worked

with other families and KidsAndCars.org – a national nonprofit child safety organization dedicated to

preventing child motor vehicle injuries and death. Their work resulted in the passage of a federal law

which will establish rearview cameras as standard equipment on all cars by 2018. Ms. Auriemma now

serves as a Vice-President with KidsAndCars.org, providing public education, raising awareness about back-

overs and non-crash incidents and working with survivor advocate families.

Locally, Ms. Auriemma co-chaired the Coalition for a Safer Manhasset, an organization to improve safety

for pedestrians and drivers through the Manhasset business district. The Coalition has worked to enhance

safety along Plandome Road and encourage drivers and pedestrians to be more safety conscious. Ms.

Auriemma also served as a Trustee for the Village of Munsey Park and is involved with numerous local

community organizations.

In recognition of her efforts, Ms. Auriemma was named an “Exceptional Mother of Inspiration”

by KidsAndCars.org and was inducted into the Town of North Hempstead’s May W. Newburger Women’s

Roll of Honor.

Ms. Auriemma resides in Manhasset, and is the proud mother of three

children – Julia, Ben and Kate.

Susan Auriemma

Sue Auriemma was selected as a 2015 Woman of

Distinction by Senator Jack M. Martins.


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G ail Lynch Bailey has been an active volunteer in numerous community organizations and events for

over 25 years. Her dedication and commitment to community is exemplary, and Ms. Bailey’s countless hours of

involvement and generous volunteering has made many positive impacts that will last generations.

Ms. Bailey began her volunteerism as a Cub Scout den leader in 1989, a youth soccer mom and Parent Teacher

Association volunteer at West Middle Island Elementary School. She was an integral force behind the passage

of bond votes to upgrade and expand school district facilities. Ms. Bailey progressed through various PTAs as

her sons moved through school, and served as President of the Longwood PTA Council. In addition, she served

as president of both the nonprofit Longwood Alliance and the Middle Island Civic Association.

Ms. Bailey’s commitment to her community is exemplified in her creation of the Veterans’ Memorial project at

Bartlett Pond Park. The Park honors all of Longwood community veterans dating back to the Revolutionary

War.

In 2010, the Town of Brookhaven recognized Ms. Bailey as “Woman of the Year” for all her outstanding civic

achievements. In 2011, she received the Carl Verdi Community Pride Award from the Longwood Central School

District’s Board of Education for “building lasting bridges” between the school district and community.

Ms. Bailey’s generous donation of her free time has truly made many lasting, positive impacts on the area. She

has utilized her leadership skills to help build a better community for all residents.

Ms. Bailey and her husband, Frank, are the parents of two sons, Brendan

and Trevor.

Gail Lynch Bailey

Gail Lynch Bailey was selected as a 2015 Woman of

Distinction by Senator Kenneth P. LaValle.


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J anice Barto has been a committed educator at Tioga Central School for the past 25 years. Overthat time, she has taught, coached, advised and nurtured the minds of thousands of students in her

community.

Ms. Barto has devoted much of her career toward substance abuse education and prevention, serving

as an advisor for Students Against Drunk Driving and YES! LEADS, a unique youth leadership program

focused on drug and alcohol prevention. She has worked with SADD for 25 years and with YES! since

its inception in 1989.

As part of the YES! Program, Ms. Barto supervises 50 high school leaders each year as they work toeducate students in grades 3 through 6 about the dangers of substance abuse. She helps them plan

fun and safe activities, like their annual Christmas Social for 5th and 6th graders.

Ms. Barto also coordinates YES! LEADS student volunteers each year at the summer recreation

program, which is attended by hundreds of elementary students; she has held several positions there,

including Director, Co-Director and Character Education Director.

During her teaching career, Ms. Barto served 12 years on the Tioga Central Teachers Association Board,

where she has also served on the Executive Committee and as Vice President and President.

Outside of school, Ms. Barto is just as active in working with children in the community. She coached

Nichols-Tioga Little League for two years and has held the positions of Board Member, Player Agent

and President. She also spent four years as the Tioga Youth Softball Coach.

Ms. Barto is an active Newark Valley Baptist Church member, teaching

Sunday School for the past 15 years, and volunteering in the nursery

for 17 years.

Ms. Barto graduated from State University of New York at Cortland and

has two children, Danielle and Derrick.

Janice Barto

Janice Barto was selected as a 2015 Woman of

Distinction by Senator Thomas W. Libous.


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W endy Bleier-Mervis is the Executive Director of Camp Good Days and Special Times, Inc., a not-

for-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for children, adults and families whose

lives are touched by cancer and other life threatening challenges. In addition to managing the residential

camping programs at Keuka Lake in Branchport, Ms. Bleier-Mervis oversees summer staff and volunteers

for Camp Good Days, as well as many important fundraising events.

Ms. Bleier-Mervis was instrumental in the creation, development, implementation and growth of the

Women’s Oncology Program – one of the fastest growing programs at Camp Good Days. She has served

as the Commissioner for the Annual Teddi “T” Sports Fest, which included a 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament,

Youth Sports Clinics and Talkin’ Sports Dinner.

Ms. Bleier-Mervis received degrees from Colgate University and The College at Brockport, and has put those

skills to good use at Leary Elementary School, where she has taught physical education for eleven years.

An acknowledged high school athlete herself, Ms. Bleier-Mervis served as the junior varsity girls basketball

and softball coach both at Rush-Henrietta High School and Irondequoit High School, and as the varsity girls

softball coach at Rush-Henrietta High School. In 1998, she was selected Varsity Softball Coach of the Year

in Monroe County by her peers.

While with Rush-Henrietta, Ms. Bleier-Mervis served as faculty advisor to both the Leary Elementary

School Student Council and Leary Elementary School Safety Patrol, and was a member of the InstructionalCouncil on Physical Education, the New York State Recreation & Park Society, Inc., the New York State

Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, and the American Alliance for Health,

Physical Education, Recreation & Dance.

Currently, Ms. Bleier-Mervis serves on the Colgate University Athletic Council, and is a member of American

Camping Association and the Monroe County Council of Agency Executives.

She chairs the Rochester Monroe County Youth Bureau Board, and serves on

the Board of Directors for the Monroe County Water Authority and on the

Board of Trustees for the Finger Lakes Museum.

Ms. Bleier-Mervis resides in the Town of Pittsford with her husband, Gary.

Wendy Bleier-Mervis

Wendy Bleier-Mervis was selected as a 2015 Woman of

Distinction by Senator Richard M. Funke.


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J acqueline Campbell’s passion for community work was ignited at a young age on the Island of Jamaica,

when she started attending political rallies with her grandmother. By the age of 12, she became a youth

leader in the local YWCA, and at age 14, she organized a track and field competition in her neighborhood,

aimed at uniting the youth in her community. Ms. Campbell eventually immigrated to the United States

and attended Baruch College in New York, where she was elected Senior Business Senator in the Student

Government.

For a number of years, Ms. Campbell was the chaperone for young women of the Miss Jamaica USA Beauty

Pageant, although she was barely older than many of the contestants. The pageant was sponsored and

organized by the Jamaica Progressive League, a long-standing Jamaican-American political organization. In

1983, Ms. Campbell founded and was named president of the Suburbia Sports Club in Queens, and in 1991,

she was honored for her contributions to the organization. Ms. Campbell was also Vice-President of the PTA at

PS-195, in Rosedale, Queens.

A resident of Rosedale since 1991, Ms. Campbell has always recognized the need for a grassroots

organization in her community, and contemplated starting a block association for many years. In 2013, with

encouragement from other community leaders, she founded the 147th Road Block & Community Association

and is its president.

Ms. Campbell is a member of the Idlewild Watershed Communities Planning Committee-New York Risings

Community Reconstruction Program, a state initiative announced by Governor Cuomo in April 2013 to provide

rebuilding and resiliency assistance to communities damaged by Hurricane Irene, Tropical Storm Lee and

Hurricane Sandy.

Ms. Campbell volunteers with the American Cancer Society Program ACS CAN Advocacy Group, Making Strides

Against Breast Cancer and the AARP Advocacy Program. She is also

involved with the alumni associations of her alma maters.

Ms. Campbell is a woman of many talents, passions and accomplishments.Her unwavering commitment to bettering community is an admirable

inspiration – and something to be revered.

Jacqueline Campbell

Jacqueline Campbell was selected as a 2015 Woman

of Distinction by Senator James Sanders, Jr.


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M aster Sergeant Sue Clark was raised in the Hudson Valley and moved to Western New York with her

late husband, Robert Clark, in 2008. Enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1980, she served almost six years

as a Morse Code Operator and Information Manager.

Master Sergeant Clark’s Air Force tours are impressive and include San Vito Air Station, Italy, and Pease Air

Force Base, New Hampshire. In 1993, Master Sergeant Clark joined the Air National Guard as an Information

Manager, stationed at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, Greeley Air Station in Colorado, Stewart Air National

Guard Base in New York and, lastly, at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station in New York, where she was the 107th

Airlift Wing Commander’s Executive Assistant for four years. During her early years with the Air National Guard,

Master Sergeant Clark was also a civil service technician, performing the duties as an administrative assistant atPortsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maryland, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in Hawaii and New Orleans Naval Station

in Louisiana.

Master Sergeant Clark has deployed to the jungles of Columbia, South America, for a drug interdiction

mission, a Medflag Exercise to South Africa and, most recently, Joint Base Balad, Iraq, supporting Operation

Iraqi Freedom. Her many personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Air Force

Commendation Medal (2 awards), Air Force Achievement Medal (6 awards), Iraqi Campaign Medal and

numerous other unit, campaign and service awards. In addition, Master Sergeant Clark, who retired on May 1,

2012 with 30 years of service to her country, has two associates degrees from the Community College of the Air

Force in Computer Science and Information Management.

Master Sergeant Clark loves Western New York and is quoted as saying, “There is no other place in this world I

would rather live.” She volunteers tirelessly with the North Tonawanda Meals on Wheels, Erie-Niagara Sunshine

Exchange Club, Peace of the City and Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 3-5; she is also a life member of the VFW

Post 12097, American Legion Post 1322 and Disabled American Veterans.

Master Sergeant Clark calls North Tonawanda her home, which she lovessharing with her family – Elena, Don and their two sons, Ethan and Landon

– and Chris, Janeth and their daughter, Sofia.

Master SergeantSue Clark

Master Sergeant Sue Clark was selected as a 2015

Woman of Distinction by Senator Robert G. Ortt.


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D eborah Coates began her volunteer work in East Meadow with the Meadowbrook Parent Teachers

Association (PTA) in 1980, serving tirelessly as president, and chairing many committees at Meadowbrook and

Clarke Parent Teacher Student Association. From 1999 to 2001, Ms. Coates was president of PTA Council, and

she has earned lifetime memberships to both the New York State and the National PTA.

Ms. Coates was elected to the East Meadow Board of Education in 2002, where she served for six years. She

was Vice President for one year and President for three years. In 2008, Ms. Coates was elected to the Nassau

BOCES Board of Education and was appointed District Clerk in 2014. She currently serves on the Policy

Committee and is a liaison to the Nassau BOCES Educational Foundation.

Since 2008, Ms. Coates has been a member of the board of directors for the Nassau Suffolk School Boards

Association and serves on the legislation and nominating committees. She is immediate past president of

Reform Education Financial Inequities Today (R.E.F.I.T.) and continues to serve on the board of directors. In

2014, she received the New York State School Boards Association Board of Mastery Award.

A member of the East Meadow Kiwanis Club for 10 years, Ms. Coates also co-chairs two fundraising committees

– golf and the pancake breakfast. She volunteers at food drives, community Pride Day and cooks dinner for

families at the Ronald McDonald House in Glen Oaks. Ms. Coates is also a civic member of the East Meadow

Chamber of Commerce and has volunteered for more than 20 years with CASA and the Nassau County Jail

Advisory Committee. For her unwavering service to her community, Ms. Coates has received the Pathfinder

Award from the Town of Hempstead and multiple honors from Kiwanis, including Kiwanian of the Year in 2012.

Ms. Coates has been a resident of Town of Westbury, East Meadow School

District, since 1978. She and her husband, Michael, raised four sons there

and they now have three beautiful daughters-in-law and four precious

grandchildren.

Deborah Coates

Deborah Coates was selected as a 2015 Woman ofDistinction by Senator Kemp Hannon.


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C hristine Colligan immigrated to the United States on May 31, 1983, as a translator for students who

attended Morven Park Equestrian Institute in Leesburg. She eventually relocated to New York City, where sheworked as a jewelry designer while attending the Parsons New School for Design. She met her future husbandwhile attending a shoe designing class; they married and have two daughters, Sarah and Becky.

In 2000, Ms. Colligan was elected President of the Korean American Parents Association of Greater New York,Inc. (KAPA-GNY), where she has successfully organized the annual “Teachers’ Day Celebration” and “RespectYour Teachers as Your Own Parents” events for the past fifteen years.

Ms. Colligan has been serving as a parent coordinator at Junior High School #189 in Flushing, Queens, since2003. As coordinator, she is steadfast in her mission to encourage parents to get involved with their children’s

education. With that in mind, she hosts monthly parent workshops where she relays current, updatedinformation from the New York City Department of Education, serving as a bridge between public schools andKorean American parents whose mission is to help their children achieve to the best of their ability.

To further expand children’s opportunities, Ms. Colligan launched an international inter-governmentaleducation program between the New York City Department of Education and the Education Departmentin Pusan, South Korea. The program allowed 50 outstanding Korean teachers to visit New York City publicschools in 2008, in order for them to experience and learn about the American educational system andto share their ideas. Along these same lines, in 2009 and 2010, Ms. Colligan was selected to serve as anAmbassador of Teach and Learn In Korea (TALK), a scholarship program for American college students who are

interested in teaching English at rural elementary schools in Korea.

A multi-talented cross cultural singer, Ms. Colligan plays violin for the orchestra at the Korean AmericanPresbyterian Church of Queens, and was a guest singer at the first and second Annual Dr. Martin LutherKing Birthday Celebration at I.S. 237. She is fluent in English, Korean and Japanese, and is currently learningSpanish and Chinese.

Ms. Colligan was born in Seoul, Korea, in 1954, the middle child of ninechildren to Jong Ja Lee and Soon Sung Choi, a developer of the first carmade in Korea created from scrap metal from Jeeps used by the United

States Army.

Ms. Colligan is a proud woman who loves America and hopes to continue

helping her community to grow and prosper.

Christine Colligan

Christine Colligan was selected as a 2015

Woman of Distinction by Senator Tony Avella.


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K im Condon is Executive Director of Daystar for Medically Fragile Children, Inc. She helped

establish Daystar as New York State’s first and only pediatric day-respite center specifically designed to

provide a broad range of psychosocial, developmental and healthcare supports for families of children

with serious medical complexities. Ms. Condon’s work is dedicated to making children’s lives better, and

there is no nobler goal than that.

Since joining Daystar in January 2013, the agency has experienced unprecedented growth, quadrupling

its service capacity, doubling its teaching and pediatric nursing staff and increasing its annual operating

budget by more than 200%. During her tenure, Ms. Condon has developed new care coordinationservices and enhanced family education and training programs, expanded its partnership with Early

Intervention and formalized its partnership with Golisano Children’s Hospital, to deliver preventive

healthcare services onsite.

Under Ms. Condon’s stewardship, Daystar’s innovative, multi-disciplinary model has changed the

dialogue about the future of medically fragile children in New York State. Lacking a dedicated source of

funding, Ms. Condon has compelled Daystar to pursue innovative, effective and impactful community

collaborations to achieve improved outcomes for its young clientele. Under Ms. Condon’s leadership,Daystar provides a comprehensive blend of all the best resources for children with serious medical needs,

at a fraction of the cost.

Ms. Condon brings visionary leadership and a wealth of experience in the private and non-profit sectors

to her advocacy efforts, having spent more than 15 years in the field representing the interests of more

than 100 health and human service providers, national corporations

and public policy advocacy groups. Daystar would not be where

it is today, helping children and their families in a way no otherorganization can, without Kim Condon’s dedication, hard work and

perseverance.

Kim Condon

Kim Condon was selected as a 2015 Woman of

Distinction by Senator Joseph E. Robach.


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M arsha K. Connor, an American Gold Star Mother, was elected President and Treasurer of the American Gold Star Mothers,

Chapter #15, in October 2013.

As the chapter’s president, Ms. Connor’s consistent goal is to increase fellowship among the Gold Star Mothers and to perpetuate the

noble principles for which their children fought and died. She also promotes respect for our nation, by assisting veterans and active-duty

military members in the Central New York community.

In 2014, the New York Department of American Gold Star Mothers appointed Ms. Connor to the position of Americanism Chairman. Since

then, she has successfully directed and encouraged her chapter members to increase their participation in all patriotic events, like the

annual Veterans Day Ceremony.

Ms. Connor became an active Gold Star Mother about a year after her beloved son, Lieutenant Patrick Kelly Connor, a Navy Flight Offi cer,

was killed during a combat mission in the Persian Gulf War in 1991. During Patrick’s burial ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, shewas presented with the folded American flag and a Gold Star Mothers pin. Ms. Connor knew that she wanted to forever honor her son’s

strong faith and ideals.

In 1992, Ms. Connor and her family established the Lt. Patrick Kelly Connor USN Scholarship to help develop new leaders in the United

States Military. To date, 31 high school graduates from Central New York have been proud scholarship recipients. Her family is also

extremely proud that the Syracuse VA Medical Center dedicated its conference room in memory of Patrick on February 2, 1998, where

pictures and service medals grace the walls.

Ms. Connor has also been the Veterans Administration Volunteer Service Chapter Chairman since 2006. In this role, sher works to provide

hospitalized veterans with various personal supplies and clothing. She also visits hospitalized veterans to lift their spirits through various

activities and to offer their family members resources and support.

Raised in Missouri, she graduated from the Columbia School of Nursing with a BSN. She was an operating room nurse at the University

of Missouri Medical Center until she moved to New York with her husband, William, in 1985. She then became an operating room nurse

at Community General Hospital, where she helped care for countless patients until she retired from the hospital after nearly 20 years. In

addition, she has been an active member with Stonecroft Ministries, a non-denominational organization with active outreach

to military wives and families.

Ms. Connor attributes much of her inspiration to her faith, family and community. She currently resides in Marcellus with her husband.

The couple’s oldest son, Jeffrey, is an active duty Naval Offi cer, helping to develop a new

naval surface craft. Their youngest son, Scott, currently lives in Philadelphia and works in the

healthcare research field.

Ms. Connor has dedicated her life, both personally and professionally, to improving the livesof others. She is an unsung hero and a true testament to the power of strength, hope and

patriotism. Her tireless efforts will have a long-lasting impact on her community, state

and nation.

Marsha K. Connor

Marsha K. Connor was selected as a 2015 Woman of

Distinction by Senator John A. DeFrancisco.


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A my Cram is a business owner in Seneca County who is dedicated to advancing the careers of women

within her business, Bill Cram, Inc. In the predominately male automotive industry, Ms. Cram has placed

women in important positions such as general managers, service advisors, development specialists, and

finance and business administrators. By encouraging women to explore careers, she is an example of how

women can forge a path of leadership and achieve their full potential.

Ms. Cram built, designed and has run a state-of-the-art Chevrolet dealership since 2012. Her business remains

one of only five percent of General Motors dealerships run by women in the country. Ms. Cram has received

commendations such as the Chamber “Business of the Month” award, regional sales awards and the GM “Mark

of Excellence Award” in 2012 and 2013.

Ms. Cram’s service to the community extends far beyond her professional life. She is a member of numerous

organizations including the Seneca County Chamber of Commerce, National Auto Dealers Association, Finger

Lakes Region of the Red Cross, National Down Syndrome Society and Women’s National Hall of Fame. She also

developed a new fundraising event that raised $10,000 for the Happiness House Foundation.

As evidenced by Ms. Cram’s many accomplishments, she maintains a high level of success and is dedicated to

excellence in her field. She is a pioneer for women in the automotive and

business workforces and is a truly a distinguished, yet humble individual,

worthy of recognition for her hard work and achievements.

Amy Cram

Amy Cram was selected as a 2015 Woman of

Distinction by Senator Michael F. Nozzolio.


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C arrie Davis, MSW, currently serves as the Chief Programs & Policy Offi cer at The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual& Transgender Community Center (The Center) in New York City. Ms. Davis oversees The Center’s human services

programming for LGBT youth, adults and families, as well as The Center’s policy and education services.

These programs provide over 9,000 LGBT people annually with community-based services to foster healthy

identity and family development. These include substance abuse, mental health, HIV and AIDS, economic and

educational opportunity, family creation and relational support, foster care resources, insurance navigation,

and immigration support through the delivery of a range of supportive interventions, advocacy, outreach,

education and capacity-building.

As a transgender peer, Ms. Davis began working with The Center in 1998 to address the needs of transgendersex-workers, initially through nighttime street outreach. As a counselor, and later as a coordinator for The

Center’s Gender Identity Project (GIP), her work focused on offering counseling and groups for transgender and

gender non-conforming youth, adults and partners. During this period, she was responsible for developing

the core of The Center’s transgender cultural competency training curriculum and has since delivered that

curriculum to more than 5,000 providers including government agencies, not-for-profit agencies and schools.

Ms. Davis has worked collaboratively with the New York Department of Homeless Services, Police Department,

Commission on Human Rights, Department of Correction, Human Resources Administration and others to

develop guidelines, policies, regulations and best practices to better serve transgender and gender non-

conforming people. In fall 2014, after 11 years of direct advocacy by Carrie and a coalition of others, New

York City’s City Council and the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) approved

regulations to enable transgender people to obtain revised bir th certificates without genital surgery.

Ms. Davis currently serves on the HIV Health & Human Services Planning Council of New York and the New York

City Police Department LGBT Advisory Committee. The 2nd edition of Gary

Mallon’s “Social Work Practice with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender

People” included her chapter on “Social work practice with transgender andgender non-conforming people.” She joined the Hunter College School of

Social Work in 2007 as an Adjunct Lecturer and served in this role through

2014.

Carrie Davis

Carrie Davis was selected as a 2015 Woman of Distinction

by Senator Brad Hoylman.


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S hihan Jacqueline Drayton is a 5th degree Black Belt with Dai-Ichi Organization and 6th degree BlackBelt with Grand Master Louis Ferrer. Shihan Jackie’s strong belief in fostering positive youth development by

focusing on confidence building, character development, leadership skills, self-esteem and discipline – in

order to create purposeful and productive members of society – is manifested in her extreme dedication to her

students.

Shihan Jackie began teaching Martial Arts in 1988 in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx. She

commenced her training in Jujitsu with Michael Black at his dojo in Brooklyn’s Rutland Plaza. Before long, her

love for forms, Katas, drove her to study Shotokan with Shihan Denis Debranche. In 1990, after the birth of

her daughter, she decided to open her own school in the Crown Heights Youth Collective. In a matter of two

months, she began training over 100 summer camp participants for ten weeks, and spent three years workingclosely with Crown Heights Youth Collective and training hundreds of students in the disciplined art of Karate.

With the support of her parents, Shihan Jackie decided to open her first commercial dojo. She named it Kan

Cobra, USA, and began an evolution that would span over 25 years. The most significant turning point came in

1996, when she was offered a contract to work with the Department of Education. She spearheaded a program

to promote self-discipline, self-worth and accountability for a group of eighth grade students who were cutting

class, exhibiting disruptive behaviors and failing their classes. Knowing that her work still was not over, she

went on to design a more enhanced Behavior Modification through Martial Arts program, which incorporated

several character development programs such as Life Skills, Connect With Kids, arts programs, afterschoolprograms and annual summer camps – all while training in Martial Arts. Shihan Jackie’s students learned to

build resiliency and a sense of accountability, and ultimately graduated with all of their requirements.

Shihan Jackie has instilled in her students her deep commitment to better their own communities, letting

them know that they have a voice, even at the young age of two. She is currently teaching her character

development program for the Department of Education’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers,

Attendance Improvement and Dropout Prevention, GYM for high schools,

day care centers and school-based intervention programs.

Shihan Jackie hopes to continue to bring out the best in her students andchange the world, one Martial Artist at a time.

Shihan JacquelineDrayton

Shihan Jacqueline Drayton was selected as a 2015

Woman of Distinction by Senator John L. Sampson.


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L ou Jean Fleron credits her family for the belief that a strong democracy requires strong active citizens

– and that belief guides her personal and professional lives. A third generation educator, her teaching, research

and civic lives merge to advance democracy and a sustainable, fair economy in her own community. A member

of Cornell University ILR School faculty since 1977, Ms. Fleron currently directs High Road Fellowships, putting

Cornell students to work to revitalize the Greater Buffalo economy.

Ms. Fleron served as Cornell ILR’s statewide director of workforce, industry and economic development, and

founded the Institute for Industry Studies. Nationally recognized, these programs provide applied research and

education to employers, unions and policymakers in industries from auto and metals to telecommunications

and the arts. Her original research, Champions @ Work, was a benchmark for labor-management cooperation

and innovative workplace practices in Western New York. A tireless advocate for quality jobs and workers’

rights, she served as the first Chair of the City of Buffalo Living Wage Commission.

Ms. Fleron also co-directs the Partnership for the Public Good (PPG), a community-based think tank which

unites more than 185 organizational partners to build a more just, sustainable and culturally vibrant Buffalo.

PPG develops an annual agenda of policy planks, hosts a weekly radio show, and produces publications andother resources to give the non-profit community and citizens a stronger voice in public policy. In 2013, she

served as Project Director for a collaborative that earned the Open Society Foundation’s long-term investment in

Buffalo, one of only three sites in the United States.

Residing in Buffalo with her husband, Jack Williams – a retired president

of United Steelworkers Local 593 – Ms. Fleron is active in politics and

community affairs. She and her husband enjoy their family of three

children, numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren – all heirs to

the active citizen legacy.

Lou Jean Fleron

Lou Jean Fleron was selected as a 2015 Woman of

Distinction by Senator Marc C. Panepinto.


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J oan Furey was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1946 and grew up in Terryville, a small town on Long

Island. She graduated from the Pilgrim State Hospital School of Nursing, in Brentwood, in September 1967. In

June 1968, she was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Nurse Corps.

Upon completing basic training, Ms. Furey was assigned to Letterman General Army Hospital at the Presidio in

San Francisco, California. She worked in the emergency room and the recovery room, where she cared for many

injured who were evacuated from Vietnam. While at Letterman, she volunteered for duty in Vietnam and was

deployed there in January 1969.

Ms. Furey served the Department of Veterans Affairs for 30 years, in a variety of positions in nursing service,nursing administration and nursing education. As a nurse at the VA Medical Center in Bay Pines, Florida, she

was very involved in the early grassroots efforts to improve health care services to both women and Vietnam

veterans.

In 1989, Ms. Furey became the Associate Director for Education at the VA’s newly established National Center for

PTSD in Menlo Park, California. She continued her advocacy for improving VA services for women veterans, and

while there, she co-founded the first inpatient PTSD treatment program for women veterans in the Department

of Veterans Affairs. This got the attention of the New York Times Magazine, which it included as its cover story,

“How to Bandage a War.”

Ms. Furey served as Director of the VA’s newly established Center for Women Veterans from 1994 to 2001. She

has been sought after as a consultant on many national research projects focusing on women veteran’s issues,

both inside the VA and in the private sector. In addition, she has received many awards – the Department of

Veteran Affairs Exceptional Ser vice Award in 2000 and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Distinguished Career

Award when she retired in 2004.

Currently, Ms. Furey resides in Sayville, where she remains active in

veterans’ activities through Sayville Post 433 of the Veterans of Foreign

Wars.

Joan A. Furey, RN, MA

Joan A. Furey, RN, MA was selected as a 2015

Woman of Distinction by Senator Thomas D. Croci.


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T he Honorable Victoria A. Graffeo has dedicated much of her time and energies to public service. Shebegan her career as a Litigation Associate before moving on to serve in a number of roles in state government,

including Chief Counsel to the Assembly Minority Leader of the New York State Assembly, and Counsel at theNew York State Division of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse. In 1995, she became Solicitor General to the NewYork State Attorney General, where she was directly responsible for management and rendering of AG opinionsto state agencies and municipalities.

Judge Graffeo began her long and distinguished career on the bench in 1996, when she was appointed to filla vacancy on the New York State Supreme Court in the Third Judicial District, and was elected to a full termin 1997. The following year, she was designated to serve as an additional Associate Justice of the Appellate

Division of the New York State Supreme Court in the Third Judicial District. From this position, she was able tomake a difference at a very high level.

In 2000, Judge Graffeo was nominated to the New York State Court of Appeals by then-Governor GeorgePataki. She was confirmed by the State Senate on November 29, 2000, and served on the Court with honorand distinction until 2014, when she ended her respected tenure as Senior Associate Judge. Judge Graffeohas authored more than 250 civil and criminal majority opinions of the Court and held numerous judicialappointments, including Chair of the New York State Federal Judicial Council and Chair of the AdvisoryCommittee on the Pro Bono Scholars Program.

Judge Graffeo is also actively involved in many community organizations. She was recently inducted into theWall of Fame of the American Italian Museum and serves on Albany Law School’s National Alumni Council andthe Board of Directors of Opera Saratoga.

For more than 25 years, Judge Graffeo has been a member of the Zonta Club of Albany, an organization thatprovides volunteer services and support programs to improve the economic status of women and children inthe Capital District. She is a past treasurer and board member of the SUNY Oneonta Alumni Association and anauxiliary member of the Boyd Hilton Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 7062.

Judge Graffeo was a glowing success in her career and has not forgotten

her community in the process. Staying active in volunteer work, shecontinues to fight for better lives for women and children and for justice forall – dedicating her life and career to public service.

The Honorable Victoria A. Graffeo

The Honorable Victoria A. Graffeo was selected as

a 2015 Woman of Distinction by Senator George A.

Amedore, Jr.


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K amillah M. Hanks is a native Staten Islander, who has been a leader and advocate for smart growthand positive economic development in the North Shore of Staten Island for the past decade. Ms. Hanks iscurrently the founder and president of the Historic Tappen Park Community Partnership, Inc., where she

partners with civic leaders, businesses, community groups and schools to boost cultural and economic

development in the Stapleton area and surrounding community.

In January 2015, the Historic Tappen Park Community Partnership was named one of seven winners of New

York City’s “Neighborhood Challenge” award, which granted the local community-based organization $70,000,

for its ambitious district-wide marketing campaign, and public art installation project called, “Illuminate

Stapleton.”

She currently serves as interim president of the Van Duzer Street Civic Association in Stapleton, and was the

former executive director of the Downtown Staten Island Council, helping to lead the organization’s effort to

bring greater economic development to the Island’s North Shore. She also served on the City Council Districting

Commission in 2012. Ms. Hanks worked in public relations at the Staten Island Museum, the Staten Island

Economic Development Corporation and Stanton Crenshaw Communications.

In 2009, Ms. Hanks was the National Council of Negro Women Honoree as well as an SIEDC 20 Under 40

Leadership Award Winner. She is also an alumna of Coro Neighborhood Leadership Program NYC, which

provides its participants in the commercial revitalization field with the resources they need to address complexchallenges within their neighborhoods.

In 2001, Ms. Hanks worked with producers and starred in a Staten Island documentary short film, “Ferry Tales,”

which was nominated for an Academy Award in 2004.

Staten Island Borough President James Oddo appointed Ms. Hanks in

February 2014 to serve as Staten Island’s representative to the New York

City Panel for Education Policy.

Ms. Hanks resides in Stapleton Staten Island with her four children.

Kamillah M. Hanks

Kamillah M. Hanks was selected as a 2015 Woman

of Distinction by Senator Diane Savino.


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S hawyn Patterson Howard serves as the President and CEO of the YMCA of Yonkers. Often referredto as a trailblazer and game changer, Ms. Howard became the first woman and person of color to lead the

association when appointed in November 2008.

Ms. Howard is a proud graduate of Mount Vernon High, Howard University School of Social Work, and John Jay

College of Criminal Justice where she earned a Master’s in Public Administration and Urban Development. Her

family, mentors and education birthed in her a spirit of community development and social activism which she

maintains to this day.

While widely known for her groundbreaking work in HIV/AIDS, public health, criminal justice , education,

housing and urban development, Ms. Howard has developed strong relationships with government and

cross sector leaders on a local, state and national level. As a “connector” she has always maintained a strong

focus on developing systemic solutions that will address the complex social determinants that have plagued

our communities for decades. She passionately works with her staff and community partners to create

continuums of service and innovative public/private partnerships to serve those who have been marginalized,

disenfranchised and are oftentimes voiceless. Ms. Howard’s favorite African Proverb is, “When spider webs

unite, we can tie up a lion,” or as we say in the Y, we are “Better Together.”

Ms. Howard believes in the untapped leadership potential of young people, women and persons of color andhas worked tirelessly to help them find their voice, passion and purpose while challenging them to become

more intentional about creating their path to “servant leadership.”

She credits her work to those she serves, those who have mentored her and continue to support her

development, her incredible staff, colleagues and devoted family and friends.

Ms. Howard is the proud wife of Marvin and mother of Nia. She draws

enormous strength from her relationship with Christ, her expansive family

and the Greater Eternal Light Church where she serves as an Evangelist.

Shawyn Patterson Howard

Shawyn Patterson Howard was selected as a 2015

Woman of Distinction by Senator Ruth Hassell-

Thompson.


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C antor Dr. Mindy Jacobsen was born in Miami, Florida, where she was one of the first blind children

allowed to be mainstreamed in the public school system. She currently lives in Brooklyn with her husband,Carl.

At age 21, Ms. Jacobsen fulfilled her dream of living independently, when she moved to New York City. While

there, she received her Music Education degree, was ordained as the first blind woman cantor in Judaism’s long

history, and in 2004, accepted an honorary Doctorate of Music from her alma mater, The Hebrew Union College,

Institute of Religion, School of Sacred Music.

As one of the first women in the cantor, Ms. Jacobsen offi ciated and sang in concerts throughout the country,

hoping to educate the public about the capabilities of women cantors and to get congregations used to thesound of women’s voices executing the vocal art, which – up until that point – had been performed only by

men.

Ms. Jacobsen served for 13 years in the senior administration of the Jewish Braille Institute of America, now JBI

International. During that time, she directed the library and the recording studio, where the Talking Books for

the Blind were recorded.

Ms. Jacobsen was a pioneer in the early days of speech access technology for the blind. As one of the first

technology specialists with the New York State Commission for the Blind, she recommended the equipment to

help open up new positions for blind and visually impaired workers, making it possible for blind employees to

do their jobs more effi ciently.

As Director of the Brooklyn Chorus of Sweet Adelines International, Ms. Jacobsen led the group to three first

place regional championships in their division. She has since stepped down as the Director, but still sings with

the chorus and happily serves as its Assistant Director.

Ms. Jacobsen currently works to help seniors who experience vision loss by

facilitating support groups and teaching seniors to use computers which

are adapted especially for blind and visually impaired individuals. Ms.Jacobsen asserts that, “with proper training and the right attitudes about

ourselves, we can live the lives we want.”

Cantor Dr. Mindy Jacobsen

Cantor Dr. Mindy Jacobsen was selected as a 2015

Woman of Distinction by Senator Jesse E. Hamilton, III.


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J oan Kaplan, an accomplished public servant and community advocate, heads up the Elaine and WilliamKaplan Family Foundations. The Foundations have aided in countless projects that have benefited the greater

Newburgh Area, and Ms. Kaplan’s work is well-recognized and respected in her community and beyond.

A graduate of Mount Saint Mary College and Columbia University, Ms. Kaplan is a licensed clinical social

worker. She is a board member for the Newburgh Armory Unity Center, where children and young people of

the greater Newburgh area can come together for athletic and educational opportunities, as well as learn and

experience important lessons that will help them grow into responsible and productive adults. The Center

aims to embody and promote civic unity among people of diverse racial, ethnic, religious and economic

backgrounds and conditions. Its focus is on two primary areas of education: programs for K-6th grade

reading, athletics, health and wellness and programs leading to naturalization, including English as a Second

Language, GED, computer usage and preparation for citizenship.

Ms. Kaplan also serves as a Board Member for Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, whose goal it is to

improve the quality of a patient’s life by offering comfort and dignity. Hospice provides much needed support

to individuals with terminal illnesses, and is a specialized concept of care designed to provide comfort and

support to patients and their families facing terminal illness.

A tireless advocate for children and families, Ms. Kaplan is a member of the Mount Saint Mary College Board of

Directors, whose mission it is to give its students a Catholic cultural-professional education in the liberal arts

tradition. This distinctive approach provides the philosophy of commitment to educating the whole person

and to cultivating intellectual achievement, religious and spiritual growth, and the development of moral

character.

Ms. Kaplan’s commitment to teach, support and encourage individuals in

all stages of life will be felt for generations to come.

Joan Kaplan

Joan Kaplan was selected as a 2015 Woman of

Distinction by Senator William J. Larkin, Jr.


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P atricia E. Kennedy, Springbrook Chief Executive Offi cer, is a strategic leader dedicated to providing

the most compassionate, skilled, and leading edge supports for individuals with developmental disabilities.

She has established herself as a prominent figure among New York State’s strong special education and

developmental disabilities service industry—guiding Springbrook through an unprecedented period of growth

and transformation from a small local organization with 200 employees to a commanding statewide agency

with over 1,200 employees, a $50 million operating budget, supporting over 850 individuals of all ages.

Ms. Kennedy earned her Special Education Administration CAS from Syracuse University. She received her

master’s degree from Syracuse University in Special Education, and her Bachelor of Science from the State

University College at Oswego.

Before she assumed her role as Springbrook’s Chief Executive Offi cer, Ms. Kennedy served as the Director

of Education for the School at Springbrook as a Special Education Training Specialist, Consultant in Special

Education and Special Education Teacher in Oswego.

As, Springbrook’s Chief Executive Offi cer, Ms. Kennedy has focused on visioning and strategic planning. Among

the many strategic initiatives that she has accomplished for the organization are the establishment of Otsego

County’s only fully integrated preschool program, pilot project for Self-Directed Services, community services

and the establishment of 19 community residences.

Ms. Kennedy oversaw the completion of the largest capital campaign in Springbrook’s history. The $25 millionproject culminated in the addition of the Tom Golisano Center for Autism that brought 24 young people with

autism spectrum disorders home to New York State from out-of-state placements. The $5 million privately

funded portion of the project was successfully raised due to Ms. Kennedy’s persistence and commitment

to being both Springbrook’s Chief Executive Offi cer and acting as the primary Development Offi cer for the

organization.

Ms. Kennedy has received many accolades for her work including being

named the 2005 New York State Developmental Disabilities Council

Administrator of the Year. Her efforts as Springbrook CEO have seen the

organization grow to offer a full range of services including residential,

educational, therapeutic and community support options that span a

person’s lifetime.

Patricia E. Kennedy

Patricia E. Kennedy was selected as a 2015 Woman

of Distinction by Senator James L. Seward.


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E mily Kessler, a resident of the Upper West Side of Manhattan is a Holocaust survivor who grew up in

Ukraine. She was born in 1917 in the small town of Khmilny in western Ukraine. In 1941, Nazi offi cers came to

Ms. Kessler’s home and killed her family. Ms. Kessler, a young widow of 24, had to prepare to escape with her

2-year-old son.

Ms. Kessler survived a Ukrainian labor camp without any food or water and eventually escaped with her young

son. She lived on the run for two years before relocating to Kyrgyztan. Despite all she had been through, Ms.

Kessler was able to graduate from college and worked as an editor for a publishing house.

When Ms. Kessler was 60, the anti-Semitism in Kyrgyzstan escalated and she immigrated to the United States.

Although in a better place with more opportunities, Ms. Kessler did not know anyone in the United States and

barely spoke English. She struggled to find happiness while putting her life back together. It was not until

one day in 1985, while walking in Manhattan, where she saw a mandolin in the window of a music store, and

realized that it was time to stop mourning and begin to play the instrument which brought her so much joy.

In November 2014, at 97 years old, Ms. Kessler had the distinct honor of performing the mandolin and singing

songs in Yiddish and Russian at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall at the 80th Anniversary Benefit Gala for the

nonprofit organization Blue Card. Blue Card is the only organization in the United States exclusively dedicated

to providing assistance to Holocaust survivors.

Ms. Kessler, now 98 years old, is also a cancer survivor and has overcome

two broken hips. She continues to play the mandolin throughout

Manhattan and inspires others through her perseverance, music and words.

Emily Kessler

Emily Kessler was selected as a 2015 Woman of

Distinction by Senator Jose M. Serrano.


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R osemarie Kluepfel is an Elwood resident and single mother of three who makes a difference in her

community by devoting countless hours to helping others. Ms. Kluepfel is a New York State Licensed Banking

Mortgage Loan Specialist for Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation. In addition to her mortgage

expertise, she is a writer, speaker and a member of several professional business organizations.

For five years, Ms. Kluepfel coordinated a fashion show, with help of the Walt Whitman Mall, to work with local

residents and the media to raise funds for the Dolan Family Health Center. The Center helps offset health care

costs for those who have lost coverage or who are struggling due to economic challenges.

Also a writer, Ms. Kluepfel wrote “Give Me a Voice,” in 2012, a song which tells the story through the eyes of achild being bullied. The song received a five-star rating on iTunes, and all money raised from the sales was

donated to an anti-bullying campaign to help raise awareness in schools.

In 2013, after speaking to a group of homeless veterans at the VA Medical Center in Northport, Ms. Kluepfel was

inspired to write another song, “The Reason I Breathe” – a song with Post Traumatic Stress undertones. She

donated her rights to the song to the Fairway Foundation, the 501(c)3 arm of her employer, allowing them to

use the proceeds of the sale of the CD to raise funds and awareness for the needs of local veterans. Ever since,

she has been an active advocate for veterans’ causes and a regular fixture at the Nathan Hale Post #1469 and

other veteran-related entities.

In 2014, the Fairway Foundation joined forces with the Offi ce of the Suffolk County Executive to work to award

two mortgage-free homes to local Purple Heart recipients returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Ms. Kluepfel

volunteered her expertise in construction and design to help oversee the renovations. She also solicited the

help of the community to seek out other volunteers and donations toward the rehabilitation

of the distressed properties.

Ms. Kluepfel continues to serve veterans by distributing Purple Hearts

throughout Suffolk County to help raise funds needed for the project.

Rosemarie Kluepfel

Rosemarie Kluepfel was selected as a 2015 Woman

of Distinction by Senator Carl L. Marcellino.


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S ister Mary Ann LoGiudice, RSM is Executive Director of Community Maternity Services, an agency of

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany.

Community Maternity Services is a full spectrum family support services agency that provides a continuum

of services, both residential and community-based. Throughout the Albany Diocese, the organization works

to provide assistance for pregnant and parenting teenage girls and their infants and toddlers, children in

need of foster care and adoptive homes, families seeking to adopt children, and families in crisis.

Sister Mary Ann has been with Community Maternity Services for 37 years, serving in various capacities

and becoming Executive Director in 1990. Prior to that, she served as Executive Director of Arbor House,

a halfway house for women released from incarceration, as Outreach Program Coordinator for St. Patrick’s

Parish, and as a second grade teacher at the Holy Cross School.

Sister Mary Ann joined the Sisters of Mercy in 1965, and has been actively involved in the Mercy Community

since that time. She has worked on various committees and boards over the last 30 years, including theSupport Ministries for Persons with AIDS, the Community AIDS Partnership of the Capital Region and the

Names Project. Sister Mary Ann had the privilege of adopting Barbara, a child with HIV/AIDS, who lived

with her from 1987 until her death in 1993.

Sister Mary Ann attended Maria College and The College of St. Rose, where

she earned a Bachelor of Education. She received her Masters in Human

Services from Russell Sage College.

Sister Mary AnnLoGiudice, RSM

Sister Mary Ann LoGiudice, RSM was selected as a 2015

Woman of Distinction by Senator Neil D. Breslin.


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P eggy Marone has been a lifelong advocate for her community, determined to demonstrate to all

youth what they are capable of. Ms. Marone is Director of Leadership Genesee, a one-year program aimed at

enhancing leadership capacities for individuals from all walks of life.

Since 2001, she has encouraged the program’s 350 graduates to be team servants of a common goal.

Throughout the program, Ms. Marone introduces participants to an expanded network of professionals and

community stakeholders, fostering a desire for graduates to invest their talents back into the community

where they live and work.

As a 2002 graduate of Leadership Genesee, Ms. Marone is passionate about her community, particularly the

future of the young adults. She volunteers every year for United Way’s Day of Caring, serves as a judge for

Operation Graduation at Batavia High School and is a former member of the Genesee County Arts Advisory

Committee.

In addition to her community involvement, Ms. Marone is a strong advocate for theater productions in Genesee

County. For more than 25 years, she has held every theatrical role possible, including actress, director, stage

manager and technical production staff member. In 2010, she received an Excellence in Ensemble Acting from

the Theatre Association of New York State.

With more than 30 years of human resource experience in the industries of hospitality, health care and

manufacturing, Ms. Marone’s focus is on strategic planning, team building and organizational development.

She was recognized as a YWCA Fabulous Female award recipient in 2009 for her work at Leadership Genesee.

Peggy Marone has made it her life’s mission to enrich the lives of the

youth in her community – to make them realize their full potential, while

providing them with the resources and connections to do so. She is a

woman who clearly understands the importance of those who will be

responsible for our future generation.

Peggy Marone

Peggy Marone was selected as a 2015 Woman of

Distinction by Senator Michael H. Ranzenhofer.


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R andi Martos’ strong sense of community comes from her lifelong residency in Riverdale.

In 2006, Ms. Martos was elected Female Democratic District Leader of the 81st Assembly District, whichincludes Riverdale, Kingsbridge, Van Cortlandt Village, Norwood, Woodlawn and Wakefield. Many Bronxitesknow Ms. Martos for her work with Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, as well as with the Benjamin FranklinReform Democratic Club and the Bronx Democratic Party.

Nearly 15 years ago, Ms. Martos started her career as Community Liaison for Assemblyman Dinowitz. Shecurrently ser ves as the Assemblyman’s Chief of Staff, overseeing the daily operations of the offi ce, includingmedia, legislative affairs and offi ce publications as well as supervising staff in both the district and Albany

offi ces.

Ms. Martos has been an activist for the local public schools since her son, Adam, began at PS 24. She startedas a Parent Association library volunteer, and was eventually elected President of the Parents Association,serving for three years. Ms. Martos then helped spearhead a campaign to restructure MS 141 into a middle/high school; after a long, intense battle in 1999 with the community school board and the school district, Ms.Martos and others successfully created The Riverdale Kingsbridge Academy (RKA). Their goal was to create anexcellent neighborhood based middle/high school to stem the tide of young families who were leaving theircommunity. This huge victory for the community is one of her proudest accomplishments.

Ms. Martos’ involvement in the public schools did not end there. In 2000, she brought her enthusiasm to RKA,when her son entered the school as a 6th grader. In 2001, she was elected Parents Association President, andwas subsequently re-elected six times, making her the longest serving PA President for the school.

One reason Riverdale has remained such a special place to live and grow up in is its strong co-op presence. Ms.Martos has served on her building’s co-op board for over 24 years, spending 22 of those years as its President.

Whether it is functioning as a parent leader, a co-op leader, or acommunity and political leader, Ms. Martos has been a strong and positiveforce in the Bronx for over 20 years. She is a tremendous asset to the

community and one of the reasons Riverdale is such a wonderful place.

Ms. Martos lives in Riverdale with her son, Adam.

Randi Martos

Randi Martos was selected as a 2015 Woman of

Distinction by Senator Jeffrey D. Klein.


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T eresa McPhail is a longtime resident of Bay Ridge. She has devoted her entire life to educating children

and has impacted thousands in her community, spending her early years teaching in the public school system.

Ms. McPhail’s primary objective throughout the years has always been to use her skills and education to be a

positive influence, with the goal being to mold children into productive, responsible citizens.

Currently, Ms. McPhail serves as Director of a successful universal pre-kindergarten program operating out

of Gateway City Church. She has cultivated an impeccable reputation among the diverse people of this

community by advocating for everyone who comes through the doors – with love and respect for all. Working

in a church ministry for the past 40 years, Ms. McPhail is founder and administrator of two pre-schools, two

elementary schools and a high school.

Ms. McPhail continues to seek out ways to use her skills and her heart to impact children and families in the

community. She partners with P.S. 102 in an After-School Program at Gateway City Academy, conducts annual

summer camp programs that are open to all, spearheads school supplies for poor schools initiatives, organizes

gift cards donations to adolescent clients at Mercy First Foster Care Home, and has created an annual Christmas

toy store for parents who struggle financially to obtain toys.

Ms. McPhail has dedicated her life to helping those in need, especially

children. With her efforts, the children and families of her community have

thrived, and are very grateful for all the work she has done. She holds a

Master’s in Early Childhood Education.

Teresa McPhail

Theresa McPhail was nominated as a 2015 Woman

of Distinction by Senator Martin J. Golden.


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M issy Miller was born and raised in Atlantic Beach, where she lives with her family today. She and

her husband, Brandon, grew up together and were married 26 years ago. Together, they had three children– Melanie, Kate and Oliver. Melanie suffered from a very rare neurodegenerative disease and passed away at

age seven. Kate is a beautiful young lady, very healthy and in college. Oliver suffered a stroke in utero and has

multiple complex medical issues, but has a fierce determination to overcome the obstacles he continuously

encounters.

Ms. Miller’s children have inspired her to live life no matter what the challenge. She believes that just because

something is not what you thought or expected, it does not mean that it is not as beautiful or fulfilling – in

fact, it may be even more so. Ms. Miller is a believer in never saying something cannot be done and she never

gives up.

Ms. Miller has been a volunteer in a pediatric residency-training program through NS/LIJ Healthcare Systems

for over 20 years. In doing so, she helps to train residents in how to deal with caring for and treating children

with chronic special health care needs. This training helps doctors guide families to provide their children the

best care, and allows them to see the worth these children have and just how special they truly are.

Last year, Ms. Miller had the opportunity to help enhance the Life Skills program at Atlantic Beach High School

where her son Oliver attends school. With her help, the school district was able to introduce a music program

and an adaptive physical education program. The children who participate in this incredible program even had

an opportunity to go to Disney World with their music department peers, where they performed at Epcot.

In the full spirit of helping her children and others, Ms. Miller became very involved in the fight to get legal

access to medical marijuana here in New York State. She visited Senators, lobbied in Albany, educated many

communities, participated in press conferences and media events to spread awareness, and helped get a law

passed that would provide legal access to medical marijuana. Ms. Miller’s advocacy efforts were instrumental

in gaining the support of key legislators.

Due to the challenges she has faced with her own children, Ms. Miller has

worked tirelessly with programs to help children with special needs and

their families. It is important to recognize Ms. Miller’s love, hard work anddedication to her family – and her tenacious support of others struggling

with the same issues.

Missy Miller

Missy Miller was selected as a 2015 Woman of

Distinction by Senator Dean G. Skelos.


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D eborah Gordon Mullaney of Niskayuna is a dynamic, dedicated and passionate civic leaderand advocate for children.

Ms. Mullaney has been a member of the Ellis Medicine Board of Trustees since 2003, and because

of her exceptional leadership skills, was appointed Chair of the Board in 2012. Her reputation

as an outstanding administrator is a direct reflection of her love and dedication to Schenectady

County and especially to young people in the community. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the

Schenectady Foundation and is a member of the board of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Schenectady

and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Schenectady Auxiliary, having served as past President of the

Auxiliary.

In addition, while raising four children, Ms. Mullaney has given her time, talent and energy to

numerous community organizations over the years. She is the past Chair of the Foundation for Ellis

Medicine; a member and past President of the Niskayuna High School PTO; past President of the

Niskayuna DARE program; past President of the Northeast Parent & Child Society; past President of

the Schenectady Theatre for Children; and past President of the Junior League of Schenectady. In

her work with abused and neglected children, Debby founded and served as past Chair of Court,

Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) in Schenectady, advocating for foster children in the family

court and child welfare system.

Ms. Mullaney holds a Bachelor’s degree in American History from Connecticut College as well as

a Master’s degree in Education from the State University of New York at Albany. She has been

honored for her community service with such awards as the YWCA Woman of Achievement, the

Junior League of Schenectady Volunteer of the Year, and as an inductee in the Niskayuna High

School Hall of Fame.

Ms. Mullaney is truly a model of strength and generosity, and a

source of inspiration to the people and families she touches, tothe Schenectady community and beyond.

Deborah Gordon Mullaney

Deborah Gordon Mullaney was selected as a 2015

Woman of Distinction by Senator Hugh T. Farley


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M abel Muniz-Sarduy is Superintendent of New York City School District 28, diligently

serving the Department of Education for the past 27 years. As District 28 Superintendent, Ms.

Muniz-Sarduy supervises 35 schools in the areas of Forest Hills, Rego Park, Jamaica and Richmond

Hill in Queens. On a daily basis, she assists principals, supervisors, teachers, students and families in

providing a challenging and rewarding educational experience for all District 28 students.

Ms. Muniz-Sarduy’s career in education is one to be reckoned with. Prior to being named

Superintendent of District 28, she served for 13 years as the Principal of P.S. 86K in District 32. In her

30 years as an educator, Ms. Muniz-Sarduy has worked as an Assistant Principal, Parent Coordinator

and as a teacher in both public and private institutions.

As Principal, Ms. Muniz-Sarduy received “a well-developed” in her last review for school years 2013-

2014. During the 2012-2013 school years – the first year students took the Common Core-Aligned

State exam – the P.S. 86K students ranked in the top 10 percent in the City of New York.

Ms. Muniz-Sarduy received her diploma in Administration from Long Island University, her Bachelor

of Science from Hunter College in Interpersonal Communication, and her Masters Degree in Literacy

K-12 from The City University of Hunter College.

Ms. Muniz-Sarduy is married with two adult sons, Rafael and

Jeremy.

Mabel Muniz-Sarduy

Mabel Muniz-Sarduy was selected as a 2015 Woman

of Distinction by Senator Martin Malavé Dilan.


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J oAnne Luthmann Nolemi is a native Staten Islander, a high school chorus teacher and amateur military

historian. A gifted musician, she is a highly-acclaimed church organist and solo vocalist. Ms. Nolemi has beeneducated at City University of New York (CUNY) Lehman (MAT), the CUNY Baccalaureate Program (BS), Juilliard,Westminster Choir College and the University of Vienna. She values most her diploma from Tottenville HighSchool in Staten Island, where she has had the privilege of teaching music for the past 19 years.

As an educator, Ms. Nolemi believes the world is the greatest classroom and the people of the community canbe the best teachers. She has dedicated countless after-school hours to giving her students opportunities tosing for every day heroes. Her highly acclaimed choruses regularly perform at civic events. They have sung atCarnegie Hall and appeared on Late Night with David Letterman.

As an amateur historian, Ms. Nolemi has dedicated the past five years of her life to compiling and catalogingdata on every Staten Islander killed in American Wars. Her work has expanded the previously acceptednumber of casualties from 771 to 1,214 men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our country.Her labors have uncovered 443 heroes whom history had somehow overlooked or forgotten. Thanks to Ms.Nolemi’s passion, they are forgotten no longer.

Ms. Nolemi is able to combine her two passions: the students of Tottenville High School and her “Island ofHeroes Project,” by introducing her kids to these heroes through story-telling, presentations, research projectsand community projects. Her students have won top honors in New York State and New York City research

competitions with projects based on the lives of these heroes, using Ms. Nolemi’s research techniques.

Due to her efforts, Tottenville High School recently unveiled three war memorials for their 84 fallen heroes. Inthe near future, Ms.

Documents

2015 Women of Distinction Contemporary Book