(Editor's Note: Dr. Maria Palandra is the former superintendent of the Elmont School District, which encompasses the Village of Stewart Manor.)

At Assemblyman Tom Alfano's third annual Women of Distinction Awards ceremony, former superintendent of the Elmont School District Dr. Maria Palandra was presented with the first Sandra Day O'Connor Award for trailblazing leadership.

O'Connor is the recently retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice. Appointed in 1981 by President Ronald Reagan, O'Connor was the first woman to serve on the US Supreme Court.

Assemblyman Alfano developed the award to recognize outstanding leadership and skills in uniting people, consensus building and promoting opportunity.

"Maria is a trailblazer in empowering young people and families to strive for their dreams and getting the very best possible education. She led by example and is an inspiration to many throughout the community," Alfano said.

Dr. Palandra retired from the Elmont School District July 1. In her time in Elmont, she earned the respect of community leaders for her tireless efforts to benefit all children of the Elmont School District.

"Dr. Palandra is a woman of unparalleled strength with an unwavering commitment to the education of our children, a human being with compassion and integrity who has given so much of herself through the years," Elmont Board of Education member Joy Madera said at the June 21 meeting.