On the evening of Thursday, March 8, 2018, Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright’s Fourth Annual Women of Distinction Awards to commemorate Women’s History Month was held at the Abigail Adams Auditorium, home to the Colonial Dames of America.

Seawright honored fifteen women who have demonstrated hard work, commitment, and dedication to making our communities on the Upper East Side, Yorkville and Roosevelt Island a better place. Award recipients included Erlinda Brent, Dr. Beverly Dempsey, Joan Falcetta, Lisa Fernandez, Nikki Leopold, Rachel Levy, Marie Luarca-Reyes, Trudy L. Mason, Madelaine Piel, Jennifer Ratner, Naomi Semeniuk, Mallory Spain, Carol Tweedy, Kathleen Walsh and Sharon Williams.

“In March- Women’s History Month- we must take time to recognize the women of today who are speaking up, inspiring others and working hard to put our community on a better path. There will never be enough ways to thank them, but we can recognize them with a special honor, the Woman of Distinction Award,” Seawright said.

Colonial Dames of America’s Executive Director Deborah Spaeder McWilliams provided information on the historic space. Marymount Manhattan College President Kerry Walk, host of last year’s awards welcomed the audience and introduced Seawright.

In closing Seawright said, “Celebrating Women’s History Month is not just about the women who came before us; it is about the women today who are change-makers, influencers and inspire us to resist and keep up the fight. We are better for the women who stand beside us today. Congratulations, Women of Distinction, you are an inspiration to our community, our city, and our great State of New York!”