As part of its celebration of Women's History Month, the Town of Hempstead honored nine residents 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. Among the women chosen from hundreds of applications received by the town's Women's History Committee was Levittown resident Louise Cassano, named 2004 Pathfinder in the category of business.

Cassano, owner and principal of LuCas Communications, a successful Long Island public relations firm, is a highly respected businesswoman in professional circles as well as in the community of Levittown. Her customer base at LuCas is broad, including such companies as Mother's Against Drunk Driving, Long Island Chapter; Cablevision; Long Island's United Way; Suffolk BOCES and other Long Island-based businesses, educational institutions and not-for-profit organizations.

With degrees in fine arts, journalism and communication arts, Cassano is well qualified in her field and has developed everything from educational publications that aid teachers in developing curriculum to the creation of Cablevision's 24-hour a day neighborhood community news concept.

Cassano's ties to Levittown run deeper than just a base of operation for her business. She is a lifelong resident who knows the importance of giving something back. Cassano is the charter president of the Levittown Community Council; a member of the board of directors for the Yours, Ours, Mine Community Center and Nursing Sisters of Long Island. In 1997, Cassano co-chaired the Levittown 50th Anniversary Committee. In addition, she is the current president of the Levittown Chamber of Commerce and served on its board for six years. She has the distinction of being the only person to have served as president of Long Island's two largest professional communications associations.

A proponent of school/business partnerships, Cassano sits on the Levittown School District's Career & Technical Advisory Board and the Island Trees School Business Advisory Board. Her many accomplishments make it clear why she chosen for the 2004 Pathfinder Award for Business.

Seaford resident Florence Hardgrove was awarded the 2004 Pathfinder Award for Arts and Entertainment.

Hardgrove has taught thousands of students a love and appreciation of music. In addition to imparting her musical expertise, Hardgrove has become a friend, mentor and confidant to her students and instilled in them the confidence and courage to succeed.

In addition, she is a tireless advocate for those less fortunate, working in a soup kitchen, assisting those in need at her church and welcoming Cambodian refugees into her home. Hardgrove has enriched countless lives in numerous ways. To further exhibit her love of the arts, Hardgrove invited three of her music students to perform at the ceremony while she accompanied them on piano.

"Confronting challenges in my career and sharing in the victories and successes of other women is very affirming," said Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray. "We are realizing unprecedented goals and future generations of young ladies will be beneficiaries of the accomplishments of our honorees and keynote speaker."

The keynote speaker for the event was NBC news reporter Carolyn Gusoff, who discussed the path of her career and the challenges she faced along the way. Murray noted that this event holds a special place in her heart, being the first woman to be elected as town supervisor.

Councilwoman Angie Cullin, a pathfinder in her own right, noted that Murray has a number of firsts, including being the first woman and first Levittown native to be elected assemblywoman in the 19th District, as well as the first woman and attorney to be elected Hempstead Town Clerk.

"In the Town of Hempstead, we have been at the forefront in providing opportunities for women," said Cullin, who was the first woman to be elected a town councilwoman and first woman to serve as receiver of taxes. "Throughout town government, women are playing a very important role in shaping up town policy. Nowhere else is this evidenced more than by our own town supervisor, Kate Murray."

Murray added that Cullin has been a trailblazer and role model for women in government. "She has embodied the very essence of public service," Murray said. "She cares, she listens and she gets the job done."

The supervisor added that she recently came across a quote that was 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."