MARCH 13, 2008, FARMINGVILLE, NY – Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian X. Foley, Councilwoman Kathleen Walsh, and the Brookhaven Office of Women’s Services tonight offered the Town’s highest recognition to fifteen women who have made significant contributions to the quality of life in Brookhaven.  The awards, part of the Town’s celebration of Women’s History Month, recognize excellence in a wide variety of endeavors ranging from communications to religion and education; to medicine, the military, and community service.

   All of the honorees recognized tonight bring something special to Brookhaven Town,” said Supervisor Foley.  “Their accomplishments make us proud that Brookhaven can be home to so many talented, dedicated, and accomplished people,” he said.  “As they strive for excellence in their chosen fields, we should strive to recognize their contributions.”

   Theresa Forzano Leuffen, Director of the Town’s Office of Women’s Services, is proud of the Town’s tradition of recognizing excellence.

   We’ve been doing this for more than twenty years and our list of ‘alumnae’ is more than impressive,” she said.  “This year, however, there is an absolutely outstanding list of winners, a group I would be hard-pressed to say could be topped for hard work, success, and involvement in the community,” Ms. Lueffen continued.

   Third District Councilwoman Kathleen Walsh, who is the Town Council liaison to the Office of Women’s Services, was also effusive in her comments on the quality of this year’s winners.

   “Once a year we have a special opportunity to honor a special group of women,” she began.  “All of these women embody a spirit of ‘get it done, get it done right, and get it done right now,’ that, combined with finesse, grace, and a talent for making the difficult look easy, equals a motivating spirit that propels them to success,” Ms. Walsh said.  “I take great pride in my association with this event and these women.”

   Nominations for the awards come from the community and are vetted by the Office’s Women’s Services Advisory Board.

This year’s winners are:

• HEALTH CARE PROVIDER: Normadeane Armstrong of Mt. Sinai Professor/Molloy College
• COMMUNITY SERVICE PROFESSIONAL: Barbara Faron of East Setauket Chief Executive Officer/Federation of Organizations
• COMMUNICATIONS: Beverly Fortune of Holtsville Vice President/The Morey Organization, Inc.
• RELIGION: Christine Harvey of Lake Ronkonkoma Outreach Coordinator/St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church
• MILITARY: LT Marion C. Hulse, USN Lieutenant/ United States Navy
• GOVERNMENT: Barbara A. Jordan of Coram Assistant Director for Community Relations/Middle Country Library
• SPORTS: Kathryn A. Koshansky, MS, ATC of Centereach Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine and Athletic Training/SUNY/Stony Brook
• MEDICINE: Dr. Kara Kvilekval of Stony Brook Physician/Surgeon: Vascular Associates of Long Island
• TECHNOLOGY: Wendy Martin of Stony Brook Founder/President: Three Village People.com
• LAW: Barbara J. Mehrman of Stony Brook Assistant Dean Emeritus/Touro Law Center
• VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS: Elisabeth Palmedo of St. James Director and Performer/North Shore Pro Musica/Stony Brook
• EDUCATION: Dr. Nanci Rice of East Setauket Vice Chair, School of Health Technology and Management/Stony Brook University
• SCIENCE: Kanokporn Noy Rithidech, Ph.D. of Middle Island Associate Professor of Research Pathology/Stony Brook Medical Center
• BUSINESS: Mindy Skura of Patchogue Business Owner/Remember Yesteryears/Patchogue
• COMMUNITY SERVICE VOLUNTEER: Gloria Spada of Mastic Foster Grandparent/Federation of Organizations

Office of the Supervisor
One Independence Hill • Farmingville • NY 11738 • Phone (631) 451-6955 • Fax (631) 451-6677