Curran hosts annual Women of Distinction luncheon

East Rockaway Mayor Francis Lenahan, left, congratulated Gypalo. Also pictured were Santino, Sister Ruthanne Gypalo, Curran, Village of East Rockaway Trustee Theresa Gaffney, and Murray.

Courtesy Assemblyman Curran's office

Lynbrook’s Jane grogan and Barbara Barnhart were congratulated by Santino, Mayor of Lynbrook William Hendrick, Curran and Murray.

Courtesy Assemblyman Curran's office

Assemblyman Brian Curran hosted his annual Women of Distinction luncheon: Pictured were, from back row left: Kimberly Garrity, Kim McNally, Heather Senti, Councilwoman Goodsby, Councilman Anthony Santino, Town Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray, Assemblyman Brian Curran, Sister Ruthanne Gypalo, Krista Testani, Claudia Rotondo, Suzanne Sullivan. Seated in the front row were, from left: Jane Grogan, Barbara Barnhart, Carmen Pineyro, Colette Carrion, Edyth DeBaun, Sheila Norris and Marie-Antoinette Vitelli.

Courtesy Assemblyman Curran's office

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In recognizing the altruistic and professional strides that women have contributed to local communities, Assemblyman Brian Curran (21st AD) officially honored two-dozen outstanding women from across Nassau County — alongside fellow politicians Supervisor Kate Murray and Councilman Anthony Santino — for their dedication to service at the third annual Women of Distinction ceremony at Lynbrook Library on Sept. 7.

“I am proud to be able to honor these extraordinary women, whose achievements and dedication have improved the quality of life in our community,” Curran said. “We are very lucky to have these women as our friends and neighbors.”

Among the 14 honorees at this year’s ceremony were Lynbrook’s Jane Grogan and Barbara Barnhart, and Sister Ruthanne Gypalo of East Rockaway.

“Sure God created man before woman,” Supervisor Murray said. “But, then again, you always make a rough draft before creating the final masterpiece.”

The women honored were Jane Grogan and Barbara Barnhart, both of Lynbrook; Sister Ruthanne Gypalo, East Rockaway; Collette Carrion, and Claudia Rotondo, both of Baldwin; Edyth DeBaun and Kimberly Garrity, both of Oceanside; Kim McNally, South Hempstead; Sheila Norris and Marie-Antoinette Vitelli, both of Malverne; Carmen Pineyro, Freeport; Heather Senti, West Hempstead; Suzanne Sullivan, Rockville Centre, and Krista Testani of Franklin Square.

Below are the stories of the local East Rockaway and Lynbrook women who were honored as a Woman of Distinction.

Jane Grogan

When writing her biography for this event, the very first thing Jane Grogan wrote was, “The funny thing about serving is when