During a ceremony on March 22, the Nassau County Legislature celebrated Women's History Month by honoring 19 extraordinary women as "Trailblazers." Art this time, local women who have distinguished themselves in both business and their community were honored, including Hicksville resident Judith Lombardi, who was named a "Trailblazer" by Legislator Edward Mangano (17th L.D.)

In 1974, Lombardi opened the Cocoa Tree, a retail shop that taught domestic and foreign cake and candy making and decorating. Foreign and domestic instructors were brought in to teach special arts to instructors and professional restaurant and hotel chefs. A mail order catalog allowed Lombardi to ship not only in the United States but to five foreign countries as well. She appeared on television once a month performing demos on cake and candy. Special order pieces were made and displayed for WNBC, channel 4 and she was employed by the adult education departments of Northport, Dix Hills and Huntington for several years. Having a collection of old metal German chocolate moulds from her great grandmother, Lombardi opened an old-fashioned chocolate shop called Judy's Chocolate Tree.

In 1993, Lombardi retired from both businesses and became executive secretary of the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce, which she joined in 1980. In 1984, Lombardi first got involved in the beautification of Hicksville's businesses. Shops were urged to repair, paint, plant and maintain their properties. Awards were presented and pictures sent to local newspapers. Lombardi was soon the delegate to the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce (NCCC), the umbrella organization for chambers of commerce throughout Nassau County. In 1988, Lombardi was NCCC secretary and from 1989-1992 she held the position of treasurer. In 1993, she became vice president of the NCCC.

In 1991, Lombardi was instrumental in the chamber having its own private office in the center of old Hicksville. The Small Businessperson of Year Award was given to her in 1992 for the growth of her own two businesses and for aiding in the improvement of local businesses in the area.

Lombardi served as treasury coordinator for the Food Court Coalition at the Hicksville Fire Department's 100th anniversary celebration in 1993 and in 1994, she was elected to the Hicksville Public Library's Board of Trustees. She served in this capacity from 1994 to 1999.

Full-scale revitalization for the Hicksville business district began in 1996. Working with the president of the chamber, Lombardi read and evaluated reports from residents on what their thoughts and wishes were for downtown Hicksville. With grant monies, a firm was hired to perform a study of the area and give a report. With this in hand, many trips were made to the Department of Economic Development and the work began. A new West Marie Street was developed and the project culminated with a street blessing celebration in 1997.

In 1998, a landscaper who remembered what Hicksville was like as a boy approached the chamber. He volunteered to design and create a garden, with beautiful evergreen trees, shrubs, flowers, engraved brick walks and an arbor, for the south section of Kennedy Memorial Park. In order to project this part of Hicksville, Lombardi was present when the chamber approached the New York Fraternal Order of Police and the two organizations joined in the purchase of two special bicycles and clothing for the two police POP officers of the 2nd Precinct who would be riding them. Bids were typed and sent from the office for the purchase of four entrance signs for Hicksville, previously, Hicksville had none. In addition, Lombardi was also instrumental in helping the chamber receive grant and revitalization monies for the construction of a gazebo at Kennedy Park.

Over the years, Lombardi has continued to oversee the progress, maintenance and continuation of the beautification of the Hicksville business districts. Lombardi promotes the engraved pavers of "Memory Lane" to blend Hicksville names of her colorful and interesting past with names of today that will bring excitement and awe to Hicksville's future.

"It was a pleasure to honor a person who donates so much time and energy to the beautification and economic development of Hicksville," said Mangano. "Judy's an endless source of energy and enthusiasm. When you want a job done, Judy's always there, quietly making certain the details are addressed so that projects may be advanced."