Assemblyman Thomas McKevitt held his second Women of Distinction Event on a picture-perfect Saturday afternoon at the Albertson VFW. The hall was packed with the women being honored and by their families and friends.

McKevitt opened the event with the following remarks: "It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the Second Annual 17th Assembly District Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony.

"The women that we honor today represent some of the most courageous and accomplished individuals in the state and the nation. Together, their achievements and dedication have resulted in the continuous enjoyment of our 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 17th Assembly District and the state, 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."

Trustee Mary-Grace Tomecki, of the Village of Floral Park, was the guest speaker and she expressed her thanks at being chosen for the position of "keynote" speaker.

She gave an inspiring speech and ended with, "There is no glass ceiling and no limits as to what women can achieve today."

McKevitt then proceeded to introduce, one by one, the women to be honored at the event. They include:

Michele Chambers, of Garden City Park, although living with Multiple Sclerosis, hasn't allowed her illness to diminish her contributions to the community.

She has served as an advocate for the Multiple Sclerosis Society as well as starting a New Hyde Park/Garden City Park team to raise money for MS research called Team Hope. The team has raised more than $18,000 in the past two years.

Michele has also served as a catechist for the Notre Dame Religious Education Program for many years and despite her illness, has been extremely active in the lives of her husband and four boys. She is also involved in the New Hyde Park/Garden City Park School District and has served as a class mother. Further, she has been a track coach for Holy Spirit School.

Joyce Gorycki, of Mineola, lost James, her husband of 15 years, in the Long Island Rail Road massacre on Dec. 7, 1993. As a result of this tragic loss she became a committed activist. She joined New Yorkers Against Gun Violence (NYAGV), became a board member and co-chairman of the Long Island Chapter.

Gorycki has spoken out publicly about the issue of gun violence at press conferences, speaking engagements, etc. Plus, she has been featured in a number of magazine articles and books.

In 1997 she received the Long Island United Way's Strength and Courage Award and was inducted into the 2000 Women's Roll of Honor for the 2004 Town of North Hempstead. In 2004 she received the Trailblazer of Year Award for the 9th Legislative District of Nassau County. Further, that year she was also recognized by Newsday and Adelphi University as an "everyday hero."

Gorycki works for the Village of Mineola and is the finance chairwoman of the Mineola Mustang Run, treasurer of the John S. DaVanzo Mineola Republican Club, member of the Nassau County Federation of Republican Women, board member of the Young Widowed Social Group and a member of the Mineola Historical Society and Mineola Neighborhood Watch project. She is also an active member of her church, The Lutheran Church of Our Savior. She lives in Mineola with her daughter Karen.

Rosemary Graziano, of Williston Park, is the Director of Parish Social Ministry at St. Aidan's Church in Williston Park. In this role, she has overseen a number of different ministries of the parish with exceptional devotion.

Under her leadership, the parish offers a number of important services to the community including the Parish Food Pantry which serves as an important resource for those who find themselves in need.

The parish also offers many services to senior citizens including offering transportation to seniors who need help in getting to doctors' appointments.

Graziano's office also sponsors support and bereavement groups, arranges visits to the sick and homebound, organizes a back-to-school drive in the fall and a coat drive in the winter.

In addition, Graziano oversees all of the parish's volunteers that help make these wonderful programs.

Nancy Portoghese, of Mineola, is an extremely active member of the community. She is a member of and has held leadership positions in the John S. Davanzo Mineola Republican Club, the County Seat Kiwanis Club, the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club and the Mineola Chamber of Commerce.

Portoghese has been a major sponsor and volunteer committee member with the Mineola Mustang Run, a charitable event which raises tens of thousands of dollars for local services, organizations and charities. She has also participated in fundraising efforts for the Cancer Center for kids at Winthrop-University Hospital. She is also a trustee of the Mineola Pool and Recreation Board which she has served since 1999.

At Corpus Christi Church, she has been appointed Community Liaison to the Middle States Academic Accreditation Committee, as well as to the Parish Council. She also sings soprano in the choir every Sunday.

Portoghese was recognized as the '04 Business Person of the Year by the Mineola Chamber of Commerce, the Incorporated Village of Mineola, the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce and the Nassau County Legislature and the New York State Assembly.

Nancy Massaro, of Floral Park, has been actively involved in her home community. She is a member of the Village Unity political party and Secretary of the Floral Park Democratic Club. She is also devoted to her parish community, serving as a retreat team and a member of the Our Lady of Victory parish Council and Rosary-Altar Society.

Massaro is also a past president of the North End Civic and serves as the moderator and hostess of her own public-access television show entitled, "Nancy's Corner."

She is the proud mother of five daughters and a son who is a Jesuit Priest.

In 2003 she was recognized with the Floral Park Spirit Award for volunteerism and community service.