Celebrating Women’s History Month

Hewlett resident Marion Blumenthal Lazan and Carol Berman, of Lawrence, are two of many women who have overcome adversity in their lives to make a difference.

March is Women’s History Month, where the accomplishments and contributions of women are celebrated. The first International Women’s Day was in 1911. Fast forward 67 years when a school district in California took part in Women’s History Week that coincided with Women’s Day on March 8. In 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued a proclamation that declared the week of March 8, 1980, as National Women’s History Week. After several joint congressional resolutions that designated the week-long celebration, Congress designated March as Women’s History Month beginning in 1987.

Lazan, a Holocaust survivor, whose book “Four Perfect Pebbles” recounts her story, has toured the world telling her tale. Her honors include being
named as a New York State Senate Woman of Distinction, the Louis E. Yavner Citizen Award from the state Board of Regents for her outreach to schools, religious groups and civic organizations throughout the U.S. and abroad, the National Leadership and the Myrtle Leaf awards. Five Towns Jewish Council has honored her twice, and the Conference of Jewish Organizations of Nassau County has acknowledged her work.

Despite the Holocaust’s atrocities and the worldwide terrorism that has come since, Lazan promotes a message of peace. “In my conversations with the children at the schools where I speak, I want for them to love and respect one another,” she said. “There is so much hatred in the world. If we could just try to understand each other, and take the time to listen to each other, we could all live better together.”

She has also been recognized by the Jewish Theological Seminary with the Woman of Valor Award known as the Eishet Chayil from the Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Center in East Rockaway, given the Community Service Award by Young Israel of Hewlett, and honored, along with her husband, Nathaniel, at the first testimonial dinner of Congregation Ahavat Yisrael in Hewlett.
Nathaniel Lazan, Marion’s husband, loves his wife’s message and said she has always abided by it, calling her an inspiration for positivity. “I fell in love with her smile,” he said. “When she goes out to all of these schools to speak to them, they treat her like a rock star.”

Berman was a New York State senator from 1979 to 1984. In 1982, she defeated Republican Dean Skelos, who was an assemblyman at the time, which made her the only Democrat elected to fill one of the eight Long Island Senate seats. She also spearheaded a campaign, the Emergency Coalition to Stop the SST, along with many residents, in an attempt to halt the supersonic Concorde airplane from landing at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Its bone-rattling noise level was substantially disruptive to the Five Towns and other communities that surround the airport.

Being one of few women in politics at the time was difficult, but Berman said she had thick skin, as well as the love and support from her family. “I just stuck to my guns,” she said. “I have never been a quitter. I had a great political career and have enjoyed my life very much.”
Berman said for women to be successful they should balance being tough with compassion for others. “Be firm but be fair,” she said. “Make sure to love and keep believing in yourself. There are lots of critics out there who want to tear people down. Don’t let them.”