Thursday, October 1, 2026
Purple — the signature color of International Women’s Day — filled the room as community leaders and residents gathered at the St. Vincent de Paul Society to celebrate Valley Stream, Franklin Square and Elmont women making a difference.
The annual Women of Distinction Awards recognized women who have demonstrated remarkable leadership and service while empowering others in their communities.
Honorees recognized during the March 8 International Women’s Day celebration included Tameka Battle-Burket, Rinsi Chacko, Stacie Dee, Jewel Dwyer, Margie Kelly, Judish Patterson, Joelina Perez de Ceri, Carolina Scaturro, Margaret J. Lowe, Raina Massey and Laura Mesa.
The event is an annual celebration hosted by Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, who currently serves the 22nd Assembly District. Solages is the first person of Haitian descent elected to the New York State Legislature.
Cynthia Núñez and Lynette Battle led the celebratory event as joint mistresses of ceremonies. Núñez is a first-generation Dominican and Puerto Rican American serving Nassau County’s 14th District in the Nassau County Legislature. She recently snagged a seat on the legislature in the newly redrawn district this year.
As a Brooklyn-based community development expert and serving on the board for the Crown Heights Service Center, Battle has contributed years to elevating nonprofits through events in her position as the director of economic development for the Bridge Street Development Corporation.
Former Adrienne Adams, speaker of the New York City Council, was selected as the keynote speaker. She is admired as part of the first woman-majority council in the history of New York City while representing the 28th District.
Adams had a major role in launching CUNY Reconnect, a $4.4 million initiative designed to support New Yorkers who have uncompleted degrees and are trying to re-enroll through the City University of New York. The initiative aims to help build economic mobility.
“As we stand here today, on this beautiful Sunday,” Adams cited in her speech. “We have over 60,000 re-enrollments into CUNY.”
In her speech, Adams reflected on the transformational impact of CUNY Reconnect, opening opportunities for New Yorkers to develop greater income earnings, many of whom are women and people of color, she acknowledged. The responsibility is on public servants to serve with purpose to better their communities, Adams said, as she further credited the victories of women.
Fraport AG, an airport company and major hub operating at John F. Kennedy International Airport, was recognized during the ceremony as “global aviation leaders” investing in surrounding communities. José Cuevas, vice president of Fraport, shared a few words during the ceremony.
Cuevas said Fraport’s main investment is expanding opportunities for women, as the company remains dedicated to unlocking careers for women and minorities in the aviation industry.
One of the influential women who earned the Women of Distinction award, Laura Mesa, is a dedicated Valley Stream educator with more than 20 years of experience in the education system serving as a bilingual counselor. She assists students by tirelessly supporting their academic and social-emotional well-being.
As a woman of distinction herself, Mesa shared one piece of advice for other inspiring young women leaders.
You need to find something that you love, she said, and make it your job, “because you never work a day in your life”.
Solages, who has helped shape the ceremony into a community tradition honoring dedicated women, said that every day she has the opportunity to work with women who pour so much into the neighborhoods of the 22nd District.
“They give their heart, their soul, and it’s just a pleasure to be able to recognize them and give them their flowers right here on this day,” Solages said in recognition of the honorable women.
