Each year, Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara celebrates the achievements of women in our community at the New York State Assembly’s Women of Distinction Awards. This annual event recognizes women from a diverse collection of fields, including community involvement, business, non-profit leadership, public service and education.

This year’s awards featured a special LIVE STREAM television segment on a special set of Open Stage Media on the stage at Robb Alley in Proctors, downtown Schenectady (The broadcast will also air on Public Access CH16 and On-Demand at OpenStageMedia.org throughout the month of June). This special live-stream public access show was entirely dedicated to this year’s New York State Assembly’s Women of Distinction Honorees with a live audience filled with family, friends and community. During the broadcast, in-depth interviews with each honoree shared their personal stories, inspiration, outstanding contributions and service to our community that has made a difference in people’s lives. “The remarkable women who make a difference throughout our region deserve to be recognized for their contributions,” said Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara. “This year’s Women of Distinction Awards honor outstanding women who are doing their part to make our community and even better place for all of us.”

2018 Women of Distinction Honorees;

• Emma Detlefsen – a 10-year old from the town of Berne who was born with primary lymphedema in her legs and feet. In 2015, Emma was named youth ambassador of the Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN) and has become a fierce advocate for change. She has lobbied in Washington, D.C., every year since she was 7, attending more than 40 Congressional meetings to date;
• Judge Teneka E. Frost – Appointed as Schenectady City Court Judge in 2018. She is the first African American to hold that position. She is a past president of the Capital District Black and Hispanic Bar Association and currently serves as a board member;
• Dr. Gina Gould – Joined the Peace Corps Paraguay as the curator of mammalogy of Paraguay’s national museum where she established a captive-breeding program for an endangered species. She is now the new president of the Museum of Science and Innovation (miSci) and she brings her love of science and her passion for developing immersive hand-on STEAM exhibitions and outreach programs;
• Denise Krohn – A technology education teacher for 33 years in the Greater Amsterdam School District and was named the New York State Technology and Engineering Association (NYSTEEA) Teacher of the Year in 1997;
• Angelicia A. Morris – The executive director of the Schenectady County Human Rights Commission. Angelicia is the youngest person and the first African-American female in Schenectady County history to hold the position;
• Marsha Mortimore – Founder of Women of Color for Change in 2006 to help to get people of color and other disenfranchised individuals more involved in the civic process. Marsha was also instrumental in creating the YWCA of Schenectady’s Unsung Heroines award as part a Black History Month celebration;
• Maria S. Pacheco – A major organizer in a local relief effort that sent over 25 suitcases of goods and supplies to Puerto Rico following the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria;
• Bella Stuart – A volunteer with The ARC New York, and its local chapter, Schenectady ARC for more than fifty years. In 2008, Schenectady ARC’s newest residence was named “The Stuart House” in recognition of Bella’s commitment to helping others.