New York State Assemblyman Thomas McKevitt held his First 17th Assembly District Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony last Saturday at the VFW Hall on Searingtown Road, Albertson.

In introducing the program McKevitt said, "The women that we honor today represent some of the most courageous and accomplished individuals in the state and nation. Together their achievements and dedication have resulted in the continuous enjoyment of the community.

"We are very lucky to have these women as our friends and neighbors. Special thanks should go to the families of our honorees who have allowed their loved ones to spend so much time caring for others.

"On behalf of all the residents of the New York State 17th Assembly District I thank you for your hard work and tireless efforts and I look forward to working together to build an even better place to live, work and raise a family."

The names of the honorees include Carolina Bertsalli, Ellen Maisto Blutman, Margaret Bores, Jacqueline Carway, Esq., Joan Hobbs, Florence Lisanti, Felicia Pascarella-Otero, Patricia Rudd, Latha Somareddy and Margaret Wilde.

Florence Lisanti, of New Hyde Park, has served her community as the president of the Greater New Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce and has been instrumental in expanding the organization's effectiveness in the community. She has also dedicated herself to the school system by being an active member of the New Hyde Park/Garden City Park School District PTA.

She has also served as a trustee on the Village of New Hyde Park Board and is currently the Village Historian. As a resident of New Hyde Park for more than 40 years, Lisanti has been involved with the political, cultural, educational and social life of the community. She has made tremendous contributions to improve the quality of life for the residents of New Hyde Park.

Lisanti inspires many people with her energy and enthusiasm that she puts into every aspect of life. Helping the people in her community has become second nature and the Village of New Hyde Park would not be what it is today without her contributions and achievements.

Patricia Rudd is a resident of Garden City Park who has devoted her life for the well-being of the children of her community as well as her neighbors. She has been a school board trustee for eight years, serving two years as president and two years as vice-president.

Rudd was an original member of the Soccer Advisory Committee for the Town of North Hempstead and played a vital role in creating the North Hempstead Cup Tournament which has been running since 1977.

She has successfully lobbied in Albany for a change in the funding for the school district and was essential in getting a record amount of state aid for the schools in her community.

She is the chapter chairperson for the organization Family to Family where donating families are paired up with families in need through the country. She is responsible for shipping out boxes monthly to the needy families which usually contain food and other essential things and making sure they get to the other families.

Rudd is a true humanitarian and a great role model for the community.

Margaret (Margo) Bores has volunteered her skills for the last 10 years to helping the community of Williston Park. Being a breast cancer survivor herself, she has spent the last six years holding workshops for Breast Cancer Survivors through the American Cancer Society.

Her experience, because of the fact she is a Licensed Physical Therapist, has been instrumental in helping her conduct countless workshops for the arthritic, and for Tai Chi and water aerobic classes to the residents of Williston Park.

Bores is tireless in her efforts to bring her knowledge to the community and has spent countless hours volunteering her time to help others. She is truly an inspiration in both her personal and professional endeavors.