State Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) honored 12 civic activists as women of distinction on Saturday morning, including three women from New Hyde Park and Garden City Park.
“I am proud and humbled to have you all here this morning to honor you for your accomplishments,” Ra said in opening remarks at a ceremony to honor the women at Albertson VFW Post 5253.
Ra said he was carrying on an annual tradition begun by state Assemblyman Tom McKevitt, his predecessor in the 19th Assembly District, in presenting state proclamations to each honoree for community service.
“Your ability to see a limitless horizon is a testament to optimism,” said Mary-Grace Tomecki, trustee from the Village of Floral Park.
Tomecki, the featured speaker at the event, praised the women being honored for their ability “to realize milestones for the greater good of residents on Long Island and beyond.
She compared the spirit of the honorees to that of Amelia Earhart, the famed aviator who disappeared during her attempt to fly around the world in 1937.
“I want to do it because I want do it,” Tomecki quoted Earhart from a letter she left for her husband before her ill-fated flight.
New Hyde Park village historian Carol Nowakowski was recognized for her service in helping to create the New Hyde Park Museum and her 10 years as a member of the New Hyde Park Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. She has been chairwoman of that organization, which supports the fire department in time of emergencies.
“I always find I feel very good about helping my community,” Nowakowski said. “We all have to help each other. That’s what life is all about.”
Joan Romagnoli and Lynn Schaefering, both from Garden City Park, were also honored.
Romagnoli has been a registered nurse for 25 years. She has also served on the New Hyde Park- Garden City Park Board of Education for the past 10 years and has also served on the Sewanhaka Board of Education for the past eight years.
Romagnoli has also served as president of the Interschool Council of PTA’s and as Sewanhaka Central Council of PTAs delegate.
She and her husband, James, have three children, Matthew, Daniel and Sara.
“I’m grateful for the recognition,” she said.
Schaefering has been McKevitt’s chief of staff since 2006. She also served internships with state Sen. Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City) and Nassau County Clerk Maureen O’Connell when O’Connell was in the state Assembly.
“I am quite humbled to be in such distinguished company,” Schaefering said.
Albertson resident Dorothy Daly was also honored for her 25 years of service as a member of the Herricks Leisure Club, an organization for senior residents of the Herricks School District. Daly is currently the club’s publicist and has served as its president and vice president.
“I just thank God that he has given me the stamina to do what I’ve been able to do,” Daly said.
Village of East Williston Trustee Caroline DeBenedittis was also recognized for service to her community. Her service included cooking pots of soup for members of the East Williston Fire Department as they dealt with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in East Williston and on the South Shore.
A color guard from Albertson VFW Post 5253 participated in the ceremony, presenting the colors at the outset.
Ra said he saw the proclamations “as a way to recognize people who do things that aren’t extraordinary to them, but are outstanding to others.”
