Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio Hosts Annual “Women of Distinction” Celebration Honoring 37 Local Leaders
Recognizing outstanding women whose leadership, service and dedication continue to strengthen communities across Long Island.
On May 16, Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio (R,C-Riverhead) hosted her annual Women of Distinction event, a signature celebration honoring women from across her district on Long Island who exemplify outstanding service, leadership and commitment to their communities.
The Women of Distinction program celebrates the many ways women drive positive community development in their hometowns. Each January, nomination forms are distributed directly to households throughout the district, encouraging residents to recognize neighbors whose contributions often take place quietly but have a lasting impact.
Honorees are selected across a wide range of categories, including business, education, humanitarian efforts, military affairs, community and civic affairs, health care, government, volunteerism and other fields of service. A dedicated selection panel carefully reviews all submissions to identify residents who demonstrate exceptional selflessness, leadership and dedication to improving the lives of others.
This year’s celebration recognized 37 honorees, each of whom has made meaningful contributions to their communities through volunteerism, leadership, service and an unwavering commitment to making a difference.
The honorees include:
| Jane Alcorn Jacqueline Andrejack Johanna Benthal Kimberly Judd Burns Suzanne Johnson Karen Kessler Maryanne Koepper Therese Luckingham Gwen Mack Danielle Mirra Dr. Anna Sakhno-Murphy Victoria Pace Alicia Freund Palifka | Stacey Caggiano Mae Caime June Cybulski Christina Capobianco Lisa Pickersgill Susan Ruffini Maggie Eng-Salvaggio Allyson Barone-Scerri Mildred Scharf Stephanie Smith Marie Giannino-Stewart Anne Trotta Gina Vanderlin | Jennifer Juengst Liz O’Shaughnessy Diane Moje-Garcia Jane Hill Joy O’Shaughnessy Nancy Raynor Dana Louise Wachter Victoria Singh Regina Jablonski Mary Beth Lichtneger Kristine-Meinken Lynch |
The honorees’ work reflects a broad spectrum of community impact, including:
- Community Leadership: Setting standards for civic engagement and local leadership
- Educational Support: Enhancing local learning opportunities, youth mentorship and library resources
- Civic Advocacy: Leading grassroots efforts to improve municipal resources and public safety
The celebration, hosted at Birchwood Restaurant in Riverhead, was a formal event where each honoree’s biography was read aloud and each woman was presented with a citation recognizing her accomplishments and contributions to the district. Giglio praised the honorees for their service and impact.
“The 2nd Assembly District Women of Distinction event was truly inspiring. I was honored to recognize so many remarkable women whose dedication, leadership and compassion strengthen our communities every day,” said Giglio. “As we learned more about one another through their biographies and personal stories, it became clear that there is so much more behind the incredible work these women do each day.”
“New York is made stronger by talented, intelligent and caring women who continue to lead, serve and make a difference. It was a privilege to celebrate their achievements and contributions, and I thank each of them for what they have done for our district and beyond,” Giglio concluded.