As part of its celebration of Women's History Month, the Town of Hempstead honored nine residents, including Muriel Urban of Garden City, at its annual Pathfinder Awards ceremony.

Women were recognized in nine categories - arts and entertainment, business, community affairs, education, health services, high school senior, humanitarian, volunteer and town employee - and were chosen from hundreds of applications the town's Women's History Committee received. NBC news reporter Carolyn Gusoff served as keynote speaker, discussing her career path and the challenges she faced along the way.

During the Christmas season, one can find Urban helping decorate the Garden City Rail Road station to make it look festive for commuters and visitors. She also provides the Garden City American Legion Post with floral arrangements for all of the veterans' memorials in the town, village hall and the police and fire departments. What's more, she happily provides both the Hempstead and Garden City libraries with centerpieces for the holiday season.

Urban serves as a volunteer at Coe Hall Museum and Planting Fields Arboretum, giving tours and helping with fund-raising. When the Long Island Fair comes to the Old Bethpage Village Restoration, visitors will find Urban dressed in costume talking about arts and crafts.

Typical of Urban's outstanding work and tireless determination was her role in the annual American Legion Memorial Day parade in Garden City. Working closely with veterans, she helps to coordinate this event. For 25 years, she sang the National Anthem at her village's Memorial Day remembrance.

In addition to her volunteer work, Urban is involved in a number of other community activities. She is director of the board of the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence, active in the Garden City Community Church and a member of the Federated Garden Clubs of New York State.

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray said she recently came across a quote by Muriel Strode appropriate for the event. "Muriel Strode said 'Do not follow where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.' As we are all aware, women are taking on more significant leadership roles," Murray said.

"As we are here today recognizing outstanding women, some truly remarkable women are in Iraq defending the freedoms of the world. I would like to dedicate this ceremony, not only to our wonderful heroes, but to the women, as well as all of our troops, who are risking their lives at this very moment to protect us and our country."