In the history of Nassau County, no black or Hispanic person had ever served on Nassau’s Board of Supervisors, even though black and Hispanic residents and other minorities represented nearly 20 percent of the county’s population. Her efforts to change Nassau County’s system of government finally paid off when Federal Court Judge Arthur Spatt declared the Nassau County Board of Supervisors unconstitutional and directed that a 19-member legislature be formed. Because of her work, there are now three predominantly minority districts, ensuring that minorities have a voice in the County Legislature.

  Though retired, Baum still wears many hats. She is an active member of the Village of Hempstead community. She is a member of the Village of Hempstead Community Benefits Committee; she serves as Vice President of the Traffic and Safety Committee in the Village of Hempstead and is the immediate past President of the Village of Hempstead’s Chamber of Commerce where she served on the Board for more than 20 years. She is also co-chair of the Hofstra Suburban Diversity Committee and is a board member of the Hempstead for Hofstra scholarship committee. Over the years, this scholarship committee has donated more than $1 million to students who live in the Village of Hempstead and attend Hofstra University.