By ANTHONY BOTTAN
In front of a packed house at the Stewart Manor Country Club in Garden City, Alfano thanked the honorees for their contributions to the community. “The women we honor today are role models for our children and young adults,” he said. “They work hard, they volunteer, they contribute and improve our quality of life. Today we say thank you and encourage everyone to do a little more for the community and strive to be the best in all we do.”
Elmont resident Leslyn Stewart was presented with the Ambassador Jeanne Kirkpatrick Award. Stewart became an anti-gun-violence advocate after her husband, New York City Police Detective Dillon Stewart, was shot and killed in November 2005 during a routine traffic stop in Brooklyn. In her acceptance speech, Stewart spoke of the trauma of losing her husband and detailed her work with local officials on an anti-gun-violence campaign. Stewart called the recognition a highlight of her life.
“Being honored at the assemblyman’s award celebration is an empowerment for me and for my girls,” she said, referring to her two daughters. “It’s definitely something I’m proud of.”
Stewart said that she has been working with a national organization to end illegal gun violence, and that the death of one officer creates a domino effect on the whole community. “One officer dies in the line of duty and it impacts what he did in the world ... his fellow officers,” she said. “... I’ve seen the other side, and [the effect] runs much deeper.”
Stewart said she was reminded of a quote by TV psychologist Dr. Phil McGraw that gave her strength during her weakest times. “While the pain may never completely disappear, you can find a new strength and renewed appreciation for life as long as you’re willing to make the effort,” she said.
Another honoree was Elmont writer and CUNY student Sophia Vilceus, 19. When Vilceus lost her mother to cancer when she was 14, she became a soldier in the battle against the disease, participating in many fundraisers for cancer research.
Vilceus was the editor of her school newspaper, the Elmont Phoenix, as well as her class president and president of the school’s chapter of Students Against Destruction Decisions. She said she was surprised to be honored by Alfano, and that the recognition would motivate her to do more in the community.
“It was a very humbling experience,” Vilceus said. “You don’t necessarily have to be old to do great things. This is a motivation to keep doing what I’m doing to have an impact on the community.”
The other women honored at the ceremony were New York State Nurses Association Coordinator Jacqueline Grant, Nurse and Education Trustee Laura Ferone, civic activist Rosaleen Shea, anesthesiologist Dr. Vilma Joseph-Turner, PTA leader Nicole Alexander and cancer fundraiser Patti Gianasco.
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