Elmont, NY - On March 10, 2016 New York State Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages (D-Elmont) celebrated Women’s History Month with the Annual Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony held at the Gateway Community Center in Valley Stream. This year’s program, “Healing our Families,” honored women from the Twenty-Second Assembly District who positively impacted and healed lives within the community.
The program included guest speaker CBS New York News Reporter Sophia Hall and emcee Roxie Digital, radio personality of Radio 103.9 NY, and Debra Gallimore gave the invocation. Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul was the event’s Keynote Speaker,
Honorees this year included: Reverend Kymberley Clemons-Jones, Senior Pastor of Valley Stream Presbyterian Church; Nijaah Howard, Founder of Millennium Minds, Inc.; ShehlaIftekhar, Health and Community Advocate; Evangelist Charity Ukasoanya, Educational Consultant and Health Specialist with New York City Early Care and Education; Helen White, Community Relations Manager at Franklin Hospital; Portia Ingram, Clinician and Lifestyle Coach; Tamar Charmaine Paoli, Creative Director, Girls Pride Project; Elsy Mecklembourg-Guibert, Founder, EMG Health Communications; Marcelette Snell, a community member that provided financial aid to a college student; and Jeannine and Katherine Maloney, mother and daughter duo behind “The Bold Chocolatier.”
During the ceremony, Assemblymember Solages gave special recognition to nurses within the community who provide superior and compassionate care. Assemblymember Solages stated, “It is important that during Women’s History Month we honor and remember how much women give of themselves to better the community around them. Too often the contributions of these women are not lauded, and so this is a way for the 22nd Assembly District to say thank you.”
The evening was complemented by Floral Park Memorial High School Orchestra, as well as a flag ceremony presented by The Girl Scouts of Nassau County. Over 200 people attended to celebrate the women of the 22nd District.
Following the ceremony a home-cooked, traditional Trinidadian meal was served which included rice and beans, stewed and jerk chicken, and macaroni and cheese courtesy of Chef B’s Restaurant. Sip This, a Valley Stream-based coffeehouse, provided a fantastic Oreo pudding for dessert.
The program was made successful by the generous donations of local businesses and volunteers, which includes, Health First, Bethpage, Twenty First Century Management and New York Life among others.
To hear about Assemblymember Solages’ upcoming events, contact the Valley Stream office at 516-599-2972.