A woman of distinction

State Assemblyman Brian Curran hosted his first annual Women of Distinction awards luncheon on Sunday, Sept. 18, at the Lynbrook Public Library, honoring eight women from the 14th Assembly District who have distinguished themselves through a wide variety of community activities.

Among those honored was Malverne resident Greta Valdes, a woman who has committed herself to bettering the lives of veterans in any way she is needed, according to Curran, who quoted Valdes as saying, “Each night before I close my eyes I say a little prayer for the veterans because if it was not for them I would not be able to live the life I live or enjoy the freedom I have.”

Initially joining the Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus in Lynbrook, Valdes served as president on five different occasions and to this day is an active member of the auxiliary. She joined the American Legion Auxiliary in Malverne, Unit #44, in 1991, and worked her way up to chairwoman of the Children and Youth Committee. Valdes’s Christmas party for the Children of the Little Village School earned her a plaque from the Nassau County American Legion Auxiliary. Over the years, Valdes served 10 years as president of Unit #44 and was eventually asked to join 8/40, an adjunct of the American Legion Auxiliary, and soon served as president of Salon #24 Nassau County.

Valdes was able to significant impact the lives of veterans and children by serving as second vice president of the Children and Youth Committee and first vice president of the Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Committee. Through her heartfelt and tireless efforts, and with the help of Malverne Mayor Patricia McDonald, Malverne Village Trustees and many organizations and special people, vital equipment and items have been donated to provide comfort to our veterans.

According to Curran, Valdes’s dream finally came true when she was asked to serve as president of the American Legion Auxiliary of Nassau County. For her tireless effort on behalf of America’s veterans, Greta Valdez is named a 2011 Woman of Distinction.

“My Women of Distinction Ceremony is meant to celebrate and honor the accomplishments of eight women, who, through their hard work, commitment and determination, have made the communities of  Valley Stream, Lynbrook, Malverne, East Rockaway, Rockville Centre, Oceanside and Baldwin a better place to live and raise a family,” Curran said. “I am extremely proud of the eight ladies, particularly Greta Valdes, who were recognized and I am truly grateful that they reside in the community of the 14th Assembly District that I represent.”