The Farmingdale Post Office honored four individuals last weekend during a special ceremony held at the Farmingdale Public Library. In honor of Women's History Month, the post office planned this event to celebrate women who have made significant contributions to society through their personal and professional endeavors. The four women honored were Christine Cervasio, Dorothy Oxendine, Nancy White and Maura Wolowski.

"We stand here today thanks to the efforts of pioneering women throughout history who led and won the struggle for equality and civil rights," said Mistress of Ceremonies Heidi Roberts, postmaster, Islip; who noted that these women created and advanced educational and professional opportunities, and made great contributions to the arts and sciences. "We gather here today to honor four local women, who honor these efforts and continue to expand the frontier of possibility for generations to come."

USPS Long Island District Manager/Executive-in-charge Thomas F. Rosati was the keynote speaker at the event.

He noted that 225 women manage as postmasters, managers and supervisors in the Long Island postal service and recognized some 2,800 women who collect, distribute and deliver postal products and services to their communities.

"In today's America, women serve in the Army, Air Force, Marines and Navy. They have been deployed to protect our future, safeguarding us by serving in the Coast Guard, police forces, fire fighting and emergency service units. Many women present here today have firsthand knowledge as to the sacrifices of war. We can learn so much from their strength and their courage," Rosati said. "The postal service has a long tradition of advocating the role of women in the workplace that dates back to 1959. That tradition has evolved over the years, as women now represent well over 30 percent of our workforce."

Roberts introduced the four honorees, in alphabetical order.

She noted that Christine Cervasio, USPS Long Island District Manager of Post Office Operations, started with the USPS in 1970 and two years later, she started her career climb, serving as a management assistant for the Queens district and became the first women's program coordinator in 1976. Her career continued, as she was promoted to postmaster positions in various communities.

"Admired by coworkers, customers and community organizations alike, Cervasio was eventually promoted to post office operations manager. Having risen to one of the highest positions in the Long Island District, Cervasio now manages 55 area offices and their branches," Roberts said. "She continues her career in the United States Postal Service with the respect of all who know her."

Dorothy Oxendine, national president of American Gold Star Mothers, has been a Gold Star Mother since 1969. Roberts explained that Oxendine's eldest son, Willie, a Marine paratrooper, was killed in Vietnam on Memorial Day, 1968. Oxendine has been a practicing medical assistant for 28 years and started teaching evening medical assisting classes soon after her son's passing. In addition, she is active in the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) and has served as a president of the Nassau AAMA. She attended Mercer School of Theology and became a Eucharistic minister. She also served as a past president of the Episcopal Church of Women and has received the Spirit of America award from the American Legion. Oxendine serves on the VAVS Executive board and the Veterans Advisory Council at the Northport VA Medical Center. In addition, she is a member of the Long Island National Cemetery Memorial Organization.

Lifelong Farmingdale resident Nancy White was the next honoree. White is a graduate of Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School and holds an associates degree in mortuary service. White has been employed at her family's local funeral home since 1980 and recently became co-owner. In 1989, the Junior League of the Women's Club of Farmingdale issued an invitation for her to join their ranks and she has been an active member of the club since, serving on several board positions and as the chairperson of various committees. In 1999, the organization selected her as Junior Citizen of the Year. She was invited to join the Farmingdale Rotary Club in 1990 and in 1999 she became the organization's first female president. White is also a member of the Farmingdale-Bethpage Historical Society and an original member of the St. Kilian Women's Guild since its inception in 1993, where she has served in numerous director and chairperson positions on various committees.

Maura Wolowski, USPS Long Island District Mid-Island P&DC Clerk, has served as the Mid-Island Processing and Distribution Center Blood Drive coordinator for the past seven years and is a charter member of the Postal Service's Postal Worker's Breast Cancer Coalition. Wolowski is a team captain for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event and a team captain for the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk. She continues her community work as a Eucharistic minister for the Parish of Holy Cross in Nesconset. She is also active in Scouting and joins the Scouts in placing flags on graves every Memorial Day weekend.

Each honoree received a stamp collection of women on stamps and a bouquet of flowers in honor of the occasion. In addition, local representatives and some organizations presented citations or plaques in recognition of the women's achievements. Those who presented items in recognition of the women's accomplishments included Long Island Blood Services who presented a plaque to Wolowski, and several local dignitaries and elected officials, who presented each honoree with a citation or certificate of recognition. They included a representative for Senator Hillary Clinton; a representative for Assemblyman Steve Labriola; Oyster Bay Town Councilman Joe Muscarella, whose presentation was made on behalf of the whole town board and Supervisor John Venditto; Legislator Salvatore B. Pontillo; a representative for County Executive Tom Suozzi; and Farmingdale Village Mayor Joseph Trudden.

Musical selections, including the National Anthem, God Bless America and Amazing Grace, were performed by Kathy Ryan and members of the Howitt Middle School Chorus.

USPS representatives agreed that these four women have made and continue to make a difference in their individual field of endeavor and that they certainly deserved to be recognized for their efforts.