State Senator Carl L. Marcellino (R-Syosset) this week announced that Wendy Csoka, Carol Silva and Dolores Thompson have been selected as the 2001 Women of Distinction for the 5th Senate District.

"It is with great honor that I recognize the achievements of these three outstanding women. Their devotion to their profession is an inspiration. They have spent a lifetime improving the lives of countless individuals on Long Island," said Marcellino.

The Women of Distinction program was inaugurated in 1998 to recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of New York State's exemplary woman. Senator Marcellino will honor these women at a cocktail reception and awards ceremony on Tuesday, June 5, in Albany.

Artist Wendy Csoka is a resident of Sea Cliff and a native Long Islander, whose art work reveals a woman coming to terms with a catastrophic illness. In July, 1997, Wendy Csoka underwent 10-1/2 hours of neurosurgery for the removal of a benign brain tumor. Wendy had the unique ability to be able to share that experience visually, which helped her through the healing process. Her paintings are an inspiration for anyone faced with a life-threatening illness. Wendy's work has been on exhibit at Hofstra University, Southampton Cultural Center and Fine Art Editions, among other settings. She has been published in Art Business News, Art Direction and Viva magazines. She is a member of the Survivors Art Foundation, an organization dedicated to encourage healing through the arts. Her work is used for promotional materials for health groups.

Carol Silva, a resident of Oyster Bay, is an Emmy Award-winning anchor for News 12 Long Island. Raised in Hicksville, she has received more than 30 journalism awards from the New York State Associated Press Broadcasters Association, a Regional Cable Ace and multiple awards from the Press Club of Long Island and the Long Island Coalition for Fair Broadcasting. Carol is often recognized as the face and voice of Long Island. She serves as the honorary chairwoman for many groups including the United Way, the Arthritis Foundation, Helen Keller Services for the Blind and the March of Dimes. Carol is now working closely with Variety Preschoolers Workshop for developmentally challenged children.

Dolores Thompson, a resident of Huntington, is the founder and president/CEO of the Huntington Enrichment Center, which is dedicated to the improvement of the quality of life for all people in the Huntington community. Dolores is a leading community activist who brought together a wide range of talented people to establish a center that would help people in the community gain the skills needed to succeed economically. She opened the Huntington Station Boys and Girls Club in July of 2000. Dolores is the administrator of Safe Haven, Weed and Seed, a criminal justice program for the Town of Huntington. She is president of the Huntington NAACP Branch, corporate trustee of the Huntington Hospital Board of Directors and chairperson of the Dolan Family Health Center Advisory Board.

"It is with great honor that I recognize the achievements of Wendy Csoka, Carol Silva and Dolores Thompson. Their intelligence and compassion have made our communities a better place to live. I look forward to honoring each of these Women of Distinction," Marcellino concluded.