Town of Oyster Bay officials recently honored nine recipients at the 10th annual Town of Oyster Bay Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony, held at Town Hall March 25. The award recognizes the outstanding achievements of women who either live or work in the Town.

This year's designees include women from Massapequa and Farmingdale.

Sue Martin has been an active member of the Massapequa community for many years. She is probably best known for her active participation in the Massapequa Kiwanis Club, where she is a distinguished past president, has served as board member, president, secretary and on various committees. In 2005, the Long Island South Central Division of the New York District of Kiwanis International asked Sue to be Lieutenant Governor for the division. This is a special honor and position of great responsibility, as she had to oversee 17 clubs.

Kiwanis International is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child at a time. Kiwanis members are service minded individuals united in their commitment to and compassion for others.

Sue has overcome much to succeed as a Kiwanian. She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and while she has good days and bad days, you would never know when the bad days occur. She is always cheerful and ready to work and assist when and where needed. She has many excellent ideas to help and assist those in the community who need her help.

Laurie Rozakis of Farmingdale is the author of more than 100 books on a wide variety of topics. These scholarly titles both encourage education and nurture the arts. Her unique writing style and sense of humor are the secret to her success. She can relate to the reader and empathizes with them as they try to master difficult subjects. An expert in her field, Laurie has written over a dozen Complete Idiot's Guide books, which tackle difficult concepts in a casual way.

Her contributions to the literary community - especially her books in the "Idiot's Guide" series - have led to numerous guest appearances on television shows including Live With Regis and Kelly and Fox Good Day New York, as well as interviews on radio and in magazines.

Laurie is a full professor of English and Humanities at Farmingdale State University of New York with more than 20 years experience. Here too she encourages the arts. While being a prolific writer and teacher, she still finds time to volunteer in her community and is a member of various local organizations, including the Farmingdale Community Summit, the Farmingdale Library Board of Trustees, Rotary International and Girl and Boy Scouts of America. The common thread that runs through the list of organizations in which she is involved is her sustained support of the arts, especially writing, reading and literature.

Joy Jorgensen has been serving the needs of the Farmingdale community for over four decades. A lifelong resident of Farmingdale, Joy continues to live in the home her great-grandmother owned in the early 1900s. Joy began her career as a biology teacher and during her tenure emerged as a leader, assuming the role as President of the teacher's union and, ultimately, as a voice for both students and parents as a teachers' representative for the PTA, and then on the executive board of the PTA. She also served on the district's board of education, where she served as president.

Joy is also a member of the board of directors of the YES Community Counseling Center, a non-profit community based organization whose mission is to provide help and assistance to children, families and adults struggling with a wide range of troubles. As a result of her dedication, the agency has grown and expanded its programs, serving tens of thousands of community members. Last year, Joy was elected president of the board of YES.

Joy has also served as treasurer of the Farmingdale Women's Club and as president of the Farmingdale Breakfast Rotary Club. Joy is truly a role model in her field and has spent her life helping to improve the quality of life for others.

Farmingdale resident Dorothy Oxendine and her husband Willie were married in 1945. The couple had three children, Willie, Barbara and Lois. Willie followed in his father's footsteps and joined the United States Marine Corps. Willie lost his life serving his country while on a recon patrol while serving in Vietnam in 1968. Dorothy began teaching medical-assisting at night, and eventually worked as a medical assist for 28 years. She is active in the American Association of Medical Assistants and has served as a president of the organization's Nassau chapter.

Dorothy attended Mercer School of Theology, where she became a Eucharistic Minister. She is a recipient of the Bishops Medal - the highest honor afforded a layperson. She is also a past president of the Episcopal Church of Women. Dorothy joined the American Gold Star Mothers in 1969, an organization for which she has served as president and is presently its national parliamentarian. The American Gold Star Mothers is an organization of mothers whose sons or daughters served and died so that this world might be a better place in which to live. Dorothy recently organized a group to help mothers who have lost their children in Iraq and Afghanistan deal with their newfound grief. While it brings back the pain of her own experience nearly 40 years ago, she finds strength in the help she offers others.

In 2003, Dorothy was the recipient of the Chapel of Four Chaplains Award, given in recognition for selfless service, above and beyond that required by one's professional or organizational position, and given to the community, nation and humanity. Dorothy also serves on the VA Voluntary Service Executive Board and the Veterans Advisory Council at the Northport VA Medical Center and she is also president of the Long Island National Cemetery Memorial Organization.